Robert J. Bernstein, MA

“Approaches to Autism” Series Moderator

Robert J. Bernstein has devoted his career to improving the lives of children, teenagers, and adults on the autism spectrum. He developed his cognitive-based, developmental approach for more than thirty years with clients ranging from toddlers to older adults.

Robert J. Bernstein has a child and a brother on the autism spectrum, who are both highlighted, along with 27 case stories, in his award winning book “Uniquely Normal: Tapping the Reservoir of Normalcy to Treat Autism.” The foreword is written by Temple Grandin. His latest book “Uniquely Normal Manual: Using the Bernstein Cognitive Method for Autism” is a companion guide to “Uniquely Normal.” The foreword to the “Manual” is written by Wenn Lawson.

Rob is a proud member of the US Autism Association Advisory Board as well a member of the Westchester ARC Board of Directors.

Rob is an international speaker, a consultant, and has a private practice. He has consulted for the pediatric neurology department at Bronx Lebanon Hospital and the medical clinic Pediatrics 2000 in New York City, is an educational consultant to the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies, and has provided expert testimony at hearings on behalf of young people on the autism spectrum. He was also a coordinator for the special education and science departments for the New York City Department of Education.

He also conducts workshops, seminars, and support groups for families of persons with autism, and appears regularly on WVOX radio in New Rochelle. In 2012, he founded the Table Tennis Therapy Program for Aspergers Individuals in Pleasantville, New York, the first program of its kind.

Rob’s mantra is “Let the child lead, and when they do, be ready to follow.”
(Quote from the foreword of Uniquely Normal Manual.)