Richard L. Simpson is Professor of Special Education at the University of Kansas. He has also served as director of special education programs at the University of Kansas Medical Center and chair of the Special Education Department at the University of Kansas. He has worked as a special education teacher, school psy-chologist, and clinical psychologist. He has also served as senior editor of the professional journal Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. The author of numerous books and articles on autism spectrum disorders, Dr. Simpson was the 2002 recipient of the International Council for Exceptional Children Research Award and the Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders Outstanding Professional Leadership Award.
Brenda Smith Myles is Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas, where she codirects a graduate program in Asperger syndrome and autism. She has written numerous articles and books, including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns and Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success, the winner of the Autism Society of America's outstanding literary work in 2002. Dr. Myles is on the executive boards of several organizations, including the Organization for Autism Research and MAAP Services, Inc.
Lisa Garriott Adams is Clinical Director of the Autism Asperger Resource Center in Kansas City. Dr. Adams received her doctorate in special educa-tion from the University of Kansas in 2003. Specialty/interest areas include increasing the play and socialization skills of children and youth with autism spectrum disordersand emotional behavioral disorders.
Deborah E. Griswold is Project Coordinator in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. Her interests and research are in autism spectrum disorders, emotional and behavior disorders, and disability and the link to delinquency and adult incarceration. She received her doctorate from the University of Kansas.
Sue Ann Kline is Executive Director for the Autism Asperger Resource Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She received her doc-torate in special education from the University of Kansas. For more than ten years, she taught students with learning disabilities and severe emo-tional and behavior disorders in both rural and suburban areas, and she has experience teaching at the college and university level. Dr. Kline has worked as a special education consultant across the State of Kansas. She has served as a consultant for many public and private schools and agencies in both Missouri and Kansas. In addition, she has authored and coauthored professional articles, manuscripts, interviews, and book chapters. Kline has conducted presentations at more than 75 professional state, regional, and national conferences, and conducted more than 200 in-service courses and workshops on various topics related to children and youth who have special needs.
Kaye L. Otten is Program Director at the Autism Asperger Resource Center, a nonprofit organization in Kansas City. She completed her doc-torate in special education specializing in emotional, behavioral, and autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Otten has nine years of teaching experi-ence in public school districts and private agencies.
Jennifer B. Ganz is Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Ganz previously worked as a general and special education teacher and an educational consultant. Her research interests include strategies to improve social and communication skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Sonja R. de Boer-Ott is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (B.C.B.A.) and is currently completing her Ph.D. at the University of Kansas. She works as a consultant regarding interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and is a project coordinator for an ASD training grant received from the Office of Special Education Programs. Previously, she worked in the area of early intervention—creating applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs for young children with ASD—and as an inclu-sion facilitator for children with ASD—creating inclusive education programs for students with ASD within school districts in California. She has also worked as Associate Professor for Chapman University.
Josefa Ben-Arieh earned an undergraduate degree in English Language and Linguistics from Ben-Gurion University, Israel, in 1978. In 1998 she earned an M.S.Ed from the University of Kansas in Special Education and a Ph.D in 2003. Her area of expertise is Autism and Behavior Disorders.
Katherine Tapscott Cook is an assistant professor at Missouri Western State College in special education. She received her PhD in special education with an amphasis in autism, Asperger syndrome and behavior disorders from the University of Kansas. Dr Cook's principle research interests in the area of autism spectrum disorders include sensory integration and social skills instruction. She is a co-author of Asperger Syndrome and Sensory Issues.
