Bios in order of the articles in the book:
TONY ATTWOOD
A clinical psychologist from Brisbane, Australia, Dr. Tony Attwood has over thirty years of experience with individuals with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). He has worked with several thousand individuals, from infants to octogenarians, from profoundly disabled persons to university professors. Dr. Attwood works in private practice in Brisbane, but is also adjunct professor at Griffith University, Queensland. He presents workshops and training courses for parents, professionals, and individuals with autism all over the world. In addition, he is a prolific author of scientific papers and books. His books and videos on Asperger’s Syndrome and high-functioning autism are recognized as the best offerings in the field. Over 300,000 of his book Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals have been sold, and it has been translated into twenty languages.
CATHERINE FAHERTY
Catherine Faherty works with children and adults with autism through the well-renowned TEACCH program in North Carolina. She is also a parent consultant and child therapist; consults to school programs; trains teachers and other professionals locally, nationally, and internationally; and runs social groups for children and adults with autism. She has written manuals used in TEACCH trainings, developed training models, and has written a workbook for children with autism and their parents and teachers, titled Asperger’s: What Does It Mean To Me? Catherine Faherty resides in Asheville, North Carolina.
SHEILA WAGNER
Sheila Wagner, M.Ed., received her undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, and her graduate degree in Special Education from Georgia State University. Past experience in autism began at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at Indiana University where she was an associate teacher, then demonstration teacher in the autism demonstration program and, later, an educational consultant to teachers and schools across the State of Indiana under the tutelage of Nancy Dalrymple, the first of many mentors. Currently, Ms. Wagner is an autism consultant, school consultant, teacher trainer, guest lecturer, and published author of numerous articles and books. Her books include Inclusive Programming for Elementary Students with Autism (1999), Inclusive Programming for Middle School Students with Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome (2001), Inclusive Programming for High School Students with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, and Understanding Asperger’s: Fast Facts (2004). She also contributed a chapter to Asperger’s and Girls (2006). She received the Autism Society of America’s Literary Award for the book on inclusion in elementary schools, and was named the ASA’s (Greater Georgia Chapter) Professional of the Year in 2002. Ms. Wagner lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area with her husband and son.
LISA ILAND
Lisa Iland is a presenter and consultant in the autism community, and a student of speech and language pathology. She is a contributing author of the award-winning book Asperger's and Girls, and is a regular contributor to the Autism Asperger Digest magazine as columnist of the Sib Talk newsbite. Lisa specializes in teen social skills, Asperger's Syndrome, and sibling issues.
MARY WROBEL
Mary Wrobel is a speech-language pathologist with more than twenty years of experience working with students who have autism and other disabilities. She wrote Taking Care of Myself to help teach students with disabilities the necessary information and skills they need to live safe, healthy lives as independently as they are physically and mentally capable of. Mary believes that by teaching these special young people self-care skills, we can instill personal safety and reduce confusion, fear, and the incidence of abuse.
TERESA BOLICK
Dr. Teresa Bolick is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, and other developmental disorders. Dr. Bolick graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in Psychology and now holds MA and Ph.D. degrees in psychology from Emory University. Dr. Bolick provides evaluation and treatment to children, adolescents, and their families. She consults frequently to schools in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. She is an enthusiastic speaker, presenting workshops for parents, paraprofessionals, and professionals across the nation.
JENNIFER MCILWEE MYERS
A woman with Asperger’s Syndrome, Jennifer is a terrific writer and presenter—funny, eloquent, and to the point. Growing up, her brother had autism, so ASD was a part of life in her household. But as she grew into an adult, she noticed more and more ASD characteristics in herself and was finally diagnosed with Asperger’s in 2002. She has taught herself many unique, innovative ways to navigate the world of “normal” people over her lifetime. In her intriguing and very entertaining presentation, she provides parents, educators, and others on the spectrum countless tips and ideas that can make their lives better immediately. An author and contributor to Asperger’s and Girls, Jennifer has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and currently lives in California with her husband Gary.
RUTH SNYDER
Ruth Snyder is a self-advocate for autism. She has dedicated her life to public awareness and frequently lobbies for political freedom on behalf of people living with autism. She works hard to be a positive role model, speaking often at conferences and contributing to several publications. She lives in Illinois with her four great kids. Ruth wasn’t diagnosed with autism until her children came along, two of whom are on the spectrum as well. Ruth is currently an RN and is working on her Bachelor’s degree. She plans to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist is interested in pursuing neuroscience.
TEMPLE GRANDIN
As a child, Temple Grandin could not speak. Her silent existence was broken only by rhythmic rocking and occasional fits of screaming and thrashing. Diagnosed with autism, Temple’s many caregivers eventually helped her contradict her doctors’ morbid predictions and go on to become one of the autism community’s most beloved success stories. Temple Grandin, PhD, is a popular international lecturer on autism and the author of Emergence: Labeled Autistic, Thinking in Pictures, Animals in Translation, and Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships. One of the world’s leading experts in livestock facility design, over half of the cattle in North America are handled in facilities designed by her. She credits her visual thinking and her systemizing mind, both characteristics of autism, for her ability to be “the woman who thinks like a cow.” Temple continues to be an inspiration and role model to millions.
