Diagnosed with "Atypical Development with strong autistic tendencies" Dr. Shore was viewed as "too sick" to be treated on an outpatient basis and recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much help from his parents, teachers, and others, Dr. Shore recently (2008) completed his doctoral degree in special education at Boston University with a focus on helping people on the autism spectrum develop their capacities to the fullest extent possible. In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his book Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the newly released Understanding Autism for Dummies.

Dr. Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is inarguably the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. She has been featured on major television programs, such as "ABC's Primetime Live", the "Today Show", "Larry King Live", "48 Hours" and "20/20" and written up in national publications, such as Time magazine, People magazine, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, and New York Times. Among numerous other recognitions by media, Bravo Cable did a half-hour show on her life, and she was one of the "challenged" people featured in the best-selling book, Anthropologist from Mars.

Dr. Lori Ernsperger, Ph.D., an expert in the field of autism and behavioral disorders, has over 22 years’ experience working in the public schools as a classroom teacher, administrator, and behavioral consultant. She owns and operates Autism and Behavioral Consulting, an agency that works with school district personnel and families to provide effective educational programs and best practice strategies for students with autism and behavioral disorders. Dr. Ernsperger has authored two books, Keys to Success for Teaching Students with Autism and Just Take a Bite: Easy Effective Answers to Food Aversions and Eating Challenges.

Stephen Kahler, M.D. is a medical geneticist, and Pediatrician, specializing in clinical genetics and biochemical genetics. He can be contacted at:

Arkansas Children's Hospital
800 Marshall St., Slot 512-22
Little Rock, AR 72202
Telephone: 501-364-2966

Liane Holliday Willey is an inspirational and motivational speaker who helps her audience truly understand the importance of accepting people with differences. All of her life, Liane knew she was different, but only after one of her family members was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome, a very high functioning form of autism, did Liane realize the reason behind her differences; she too was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. With the odds firmly stacked against her, Liane rose to the challenge of life as it comes to you through the broken glass of autism, to a place where she is happy, healthy and well balanced. Today, Liane is a successful writer, editor, consultant, motivational speaker, freelance author, mother and wife.

Liane is the author of the international best selling books Pretending to be Normal: Living with Aspergers Syndrome, forward by Tony Attwood, Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence Living with the Ups, the Downs and Things in Between forward by Luke Jackson, and Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal forward by Pam Tanquay. In addition, Liane has contributed to many other books and journals. She is also the Senior Editor of the magajournal Autism Spectrum Quarterly.

Dr. Valerie Paradiz is the Director of Education at the NYU Child Study Center's Asperger Institute. She is also the co-founder of the Open Center for Autism (www.oautism.org). Her work developing pioneering educational programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) has been featured in the New York Times, Redbook Magazine, Autism Spectrum Quarterly, and on Japanese Public Television.

Dr. Paradiz's memoir, Elijah's Cup: A Family's Journey into the Community and Culture of High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome is the compelling story of the author's experiences raising her autistic son, their involvement together in the grassroots self-advocacy community, and her own ultimate diagnosis with Asperger syndrome. The book offers readers an insider's history and celebration of autistic culture, including profiles of individuals who are now believed to have had autistic-like traits, such as visual artist Andy Warhol, comedian Andy Kaufman, and physicist Albert Einstein.

Pat Wyman, M.A. is a university instructor of education, best selling author of Learning vs. Testing and expert in treatments to solve reading difficulties in those with special needs and autism. She is also the author of the Instant Learning (registered trademark symbol here) book series, specializing in learning styles and visual learning strategies in multiple subject areas. Pat speaks worldwide and can be reached via her site at http://www.howtolearn.com or her e-mail, fasterlearning (at) gmail.com