Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D.
Executive Director, The EPIC School
Chairman, Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research
Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D. is currently serving as Executive Director of The EPIC School in Paramus, NJ. Dr. Gerhardt has more than 30 years’ experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in support of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders in educational, employment, residential and community-based settings. He has authored and coauthored articles and book chapters on the needs of adolescents and adults with ASD and has presented nationally and internationally on this topic. Dr. Gerhardt serves as Chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research, is on the Editorial Board of Behavior Analysis in Practice and on numerous professional advisory boards including the Autism Society of America. He received his doctorate from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey’s Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Gerhardt’s research interests include issues related to intensity of behavior analytic instruction with adolescents and adults; community integration and employment, development of adaptive behavior competencies, positive behavior supports with complex individuals; and the use of technology to support community safety and independence.
Dr. Mary McDonald
Assistant Professor, Hofstra University
Director, Eden II/Genesis Outreach Autism Center
Dr. McDonald is an Assistant Professor in the CRSR Department (Counseling, Research, Special Education and Rehabilitation) and teaches in the Special Education Program. She began teaching at Hofstra University as an adjunct in 2002 and became full time in 2005. She currently teaches courses such as Educating Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Creating Effective Learning Communities and Research Seminars. She has also developed an approved course sequence in applied behavior analysis for behavior analyst certification.
In addition to her role at the University, she also Directs The Eden II/Genesis Outreach Autism Center in which she supervises outreach, consultation and research programs. She has nearly 20 years of experience directing programs for students with autism from early intervention through adulthood. Previously she served as Associate Executive Director and Directed The Genesis School for students with autism for 14 years.
She has received a number of awards for her work: Citation of Honor from past Queens Borough president Claire Schulman, Award of Distinction from the Town of Oyster Bay, and most recently The Teacher of the Year Award for 2009 from Hofstra University and Outstanding Mentor from The Association for Behavior Analysis International (2010).
She completed her Ph.D. in Learning Theory at the CUNY Graduate Center and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst- Doctoral level. Dr. McDonald currently serves on a number of boards including her role as Vice President of The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) and Council on Autism Services (CAS). Dr. McDonald is currently co-authoring an Introductory Text on Special Education focused on Universal Design for Learning. She has published articles in the areas of self-management, social reciprocity, response to intervention, inclusion and technology in education. Her current research interests include creativity and the use of technology to promote learning in students on the autism spectrum.
Dr. Stephen Shore
Asst. Prof. of Special Ed., Ruth S. Ammon School of Ed., Adelphi University
Board Member, Autism Society of America
Internationally known author, consultant, & presenter on autism-related issues
Diagnosed with “Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies” and “too sick” for outpatient treatment Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen is now a professor at Adelphi University where his research focuses on matching best practice to the needs of people with autism.
In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies, and the newly released DVD Living along the Autism Spectrum: What it means to have Autism or Asperger Syndrome.
President emeritus of the Asperger’s Association of New England, Dr. Shore serves in the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America, Advocates for High Functioning Autism, and other autism related organizations.
Robert Stromer, PhD.
Professor, School of Social and Community Services, George Brown College
Clinical Supervisor, Children’s Intensive Programming, Surrey Place Centre
Robert Stromer (Ph.D., Utah State University) is a behavior analyst with experience as a school psychologist (Nevada), clinician (Kansas), university professor and coordinator of behavioral technology (Northern Michigan University), and as a behavioral scientist (University of Massachusetts Medical School – Shriver Center). His research at the Shriver Center was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Currently, he is a professor in the School of Social and Community Services, George Brown College, Toronto, Ontario. He is also a clinical supervisor of children’s intensive programming at Surrey Place Centre, services provided by the Toronto Partnership for Autism Services. He has published extensively in journals and books and has served on the editorial boards of The Behavior Analyst and the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior; he served both as a board member and associate editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. His current work focuses on translating research findings into training materials and manuals for everyday practice, and on computer-based technologies for teaching children with autism and related disorders.
Dr. Bridget Taylor
Cofounder and Executive Director, Alpine Learning Group
Dr. Bridget A. Taylor is co-founder and Executive Director of Alpine Learning Group. She has specialized in the education and treatment of children with autism for the past twenty-five years. She holds a Doctorate of Psychology from Rutgers University, and received her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Columbia University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Psychologist. Dr. Taylor is active in the autism research community and has published numerous articles on effective interventions for autism. She serves on several editorial boards including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Interventions, and Behavior Analysis in Practice. She is also a member of the Autism Advisory Group for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, and is a board member of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Dr. Taylor is also Senior Clinical Advisor for Rethink Autism – an innovative web-based curriculum for children with autism. She is a national and international speaker and has authored numerous research articles and book chapters related to autism.
