The US Autism Association has always been able to bring in the world’s top experts because we firmly believe that to understand autism, we must draw from the expertise of those who are diagnosed. For this reason, the US Autism Association draws heavily from its Advisory Board, a majority of whom are either parents of those diagnosed or diagnosed as on the autism spectrum themselves.View 90+ world-renowned speakers available with the Video Streaming Library Subscription, or take a look at all of the sessions available in the Video Streaming Library.
Interested in speaking? Click here.
Wenn Lawson, Ph.D.
Dr. Wenn Lawson of Australia, autistic lecturer, psychologist, researcher, advocate, writer, and poet, has passionately shared professional and personal knowledge of autism over the past 3 decades.
Megan Locke, Au.D., CCC/A
Dr. Megan Locke is the Executive Director of the Able Kids Foundation in Fort Collins, Colorado where she also serves as one of the Foundation’s audiologists. The Able Kids Foundation specializes in the diagnosis and management of central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) and has evaluated individuals from 49 states and 28 countries since 2006.
Joleena Louis, Esq.
Joleena Louis, Esq. is a premier New York attorney who focuses her practice on helping families in high conflict or complex situations. This often includes helping parents with special needs children create a plan that helps the child thrive during the change in the familial structure.
BG Mancini AP, FMP, MHS
BG Mancini is an Acupuncture Physician, a leader in Neurodevelopmental education and a Functional Medicine Practitioner.
Michael McManmon, Ed.D.
Dr. Michael McManmon founded the College Internship Program (CIP) in 1984. Prior to Founding CIP, he worked for state, private and non-profit organizations in several states and was certified as a family teacher through the Boys Town Center in Nebraska.
Ethan Miller
Ethan Miller grew up in a family with parents dedicated to serving those children with severe to mild autism or other cognitive disabilities. Ethan's father and mother were pioneers in the field and developed The Language and Cognitive Development Center school and clinic, which Ethan Miller is director of today.
Alexander Morris-Wood
Alexander (Alex) Morris-Wood is the Dean of Admissions, Transition Programs, & Strategic Outreach at Beacon College.
Bren Payne
Bren Payne is a veteran teacher of over 25 years having taught multiple subjects across multiple grades in both special education and general education classrooms.
Amy Radochonski
As President of College Living Experience (CLE), Amy Radochonski is a champion for supporting neurodiverse students in higher education, careers, increasing independence in their community, and finding meaningful relationships.
Nigel Rising, Esq.
Nigel Rising has worked in the financial services industry for thirty years, specifically compliance and surveillance. Past employers include Charles Schwab, USAA and AIG. Among her proudest accomplishments is creating an entire compliance department for a national financial services firm essentially from scratch.
Patrick J. Rydell, Ed.D., CCC-SLP
Dr. Patrick J. Rydell recently retired as the Founder and Director of Rocky Mountain Autism Center (RMAC), Inc. in Lone Tree, Colorado, in 2018, and is currently the Founder and Director of Autism On Call, LLC, the training and consultation affiliate of RMAC.
Ron Sandison, MDiv
Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of the Art of Autism and the Els Center of Excellence.
Rachelle K. Sheely, Ph.D.
Dr. Rachelle Sheely serves as the President of RDIconnect, as well as the head of professional training and supervision and adults with developmental disabilities.
Katie Shepherd, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Katie Shepherd is a speech-language pathologist and DIRFloortime expert training leader with the International Council of Development and Learning - ICDL. She has been using the DIRFloortime model throughout her career to help her understand the individuals and families she supports and to promote communication, language, and overall development through meaningful interactions and relationships.
Joella Simmons, M.Ed.
As the Executive Director of Education at ACE, Erika Anderson is responsible for individual RPM sessions, curriculum planning, goal setting, and instructing parents and professionals.
Marlo Payne Thurman, Ph.D.
Holding doctoral level degrees in both School Psychology and Special Education, Dr. Marlo Payne Thurman currently sits on numerous advisory boards and is the President and Chairwoman of the US Autism Association.
Gil Tippy, Psy.D.
Gil Tippy, PsyD is a Clinical Psychologist with a developmental practice offering support to parents and professionals around the world. He is one of the founders of the Rebecca School in NYC, along with Stanley I. Greenspan and others.
Amy KD Tobik
Magazine publisher Amy KD Tobik, BA, is an award-winning editor with over 35 years of publishing experience.
