David’s humorous and genuine speaking style empowers students with social and emotional skills while teaching them the lost arts of dignity, respect, empathy, and Compassion.

David’s origin as a motivational speaker comes firsthand. He grew up impacted by addiction in his family. He married and became a father of two children; his oldest is a special needs son. He is active in his church, is a hospice volunteer who visits terminally ill patients, and is on the board of K.I.D.S Plus, a non-profit organization that helps special needs children. He is a member of the Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

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Lindsay Arthurs

Lindsay Arthurs is a recent graduate of Public Health Sciences from the University of Vermont. She is also a self-advocate and speaker who has been diagnosed with autism, learning disabilities, and chronic illness. Lindsay is passionate about sports and competes nationally in track and field for Special Olympics, earning two silver medals. She recently was the 2nd-place finisher in Half Ironman Michigan para division. Lindsay works in the field of adaptive sports as a volunteer instructor and athlete.

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Jackie Lorrainne

Dr. Jackie Lorrainne is the Senior Associate Dean for People and Culture and Chief of Staff at Washington University in St. Louis’ Olin Business School. She provides strategic counsel to the Dean and leads initiatives spanning human capital, organizational development, change management, faculty and staff affairs, facilities, technology, and events.

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Melissa Schiefelbein

After making her private journal public, Stephanie Hanrahan achieved viral success with her online community, Tinkles Her Pants, where she shares candid reflections on disability, motherhood, and the unexpected ways a different life can be beautiful.

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Stephanie Hanrahan

After making her private journal public, Stephanie Hanrahan achieved viral success with her online community, Tinkles Her Pants, where she shares candid reflections on disability, motherhood, and the unexpected ways a different life can be beautiful.

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Rhoda Bernard, Ed.D.

Rhoda Bernard holds a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in government from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Music with academic honors in jazz voice from New England Conservatory. She earned both her Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. An internationally renowned expert in Accessible Arts Education, Dr. Bernard is highly sought after as a speaker, presenter, and facilitator.

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Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

Temple Grandin, Ph.D, is one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism in the world. She was selected by Time magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World” (2010).

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Professor Tony Attwood

Tony is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in Autism Spectrum Disorders since he qualified as a clinical psychologist in England in 1975. His book, “The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome,” is one of the primary textbooks on Asperger’s syndrome, otherwise known as Autism Spectrum Disorder – Level 1.

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Michael Beloff, CFP®, ChSNC®

Inspired by his son with Autism, Michael has become a Chartered Special Needs Consultant® with extensive training and continuing education on the complex topics and particular challenges of caring for a dependent with special needs, including the constant changes in federal and state laws.

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Robert J. Bernstein, MA

Robert J. Bernstein, MA 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.

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The Doctors and Researchers Panel

The Self-Advocacy Panel

The Parents' Perspectives: Raising Kids on the Autism Spectrum