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The YAI Autism Center Advisory Council

  • Tony Attwood, Ph.D.
    Dr. Attwood, a clinical psychologist, specializes in autism spectrum disorders. His book Asperger's Syndrome A Guide for Parents and Professionals has sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into twenty languages.
  • Jed Baker, Ph.D.
    Dr. Baker, a clinical psychologist, is Director of the Social Skills Training Program. He serves as a behavioral consultant for several New Jersey school systems, providing social skills training for students with pervasive developmental disorders and learning disabilities.
  • Joseph Buxbaum, Ph.D.
    Dr. Buxbaum is the Director of The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He is also the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Research Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, Genetics and Genomic Sciences.
  • Vincent Carbone, Ed.D., BCBA
    Dr. Carbone, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Director of the Carbone Clinic, has been designing learning environments for people with development disabilities for more than 30 years.
  • Lynda Geller, Ph.D.
    Dr. Geller is the founder of Spectrum Services an interdisciplinary cooperative of independent practices and organizations specializing in Asperger Syndrome and other related conditions.
  • Temple Grandin, Ph.D.
    Dr. Grandin, an Associate Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, designs humane livestock facilities. She has also written numerous best selling books about her experiences as a person with autism.
  • Carol Gray
    Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding in Michigan. She developed Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations, strategies used to help people with autism communicate.
  • Joseph Levy, M.D.
    Dr. Levy, Director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the NYU School of Medicine, is an expert on health issues in children with autism.
  • Bernice Polinsky
    Bernice Polinsky is a parent advocate for indivuals with autism spectrum disorders. Bernice is a shining example of how to effectively access services and supports to improve the quality of life for her entire family.
  • Jennifer J. Raab, J.D., M.P.A.
    Jennifer Raab is the 13th president of Hunter College. She is responsible for overseeing the functions of CUNY's largest college and its various affiliates.
  • Fred Volkmar, M.D.
    Dr. Volkmar is the Director of the Child Study Center at Yale University School of Medicine and Chief of Child Psychiatry at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. He researches the assessment and classification of ASDs.
  • Michelle Garcia Winner, M.A., CCC
    Michelle Garcia Winner is a speech language pathologist who specializes in the treatment of individuals with social cognitive deficits. She developed Social Thinking for the treatment of these individuals.

Autism doesn’t just happen to a child. It happens to the entire family. The mission of the YAI Autism Center is to help people with autism spectrum disorders and their families improve the quality of their lives through excellent evaluations, compassionate services, person-centered programs, empowering advocacy and professional education.

Serving People with Autism for More Than Half a Century

Since 1957, the YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network has had an unwavering commitment to serve people with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their families. Over the past half a century, we have continually created innovative programs to help people with ASDs lead the most independent, fulfilling and inclusive lives in their communities. Our comprehensive network of services is unsurpassed in quality or scope and includes early intervention, habilitation, residential, vocational, healthcare, rehabilitation, family support and community services.

Today, the rapid increase in the diagnosis of autism has put a strain on the service system and on the families who are trying to access the support they and their loved ones need. In keeping with our long tradition of innovation, the YAI/NIPD Network is stepping forward to fill the gap for people who need comprehensive services and supports. Our state-of-the-art Autism Center, headed by Dr. Charles Cartwright, treats people with ASDs and help families access the information, case management and life planning services they need. In addition, families will have access to all of the quality services available through the 450 programs comprising the YAI/NIPD Network.

The YAI Autism Center provides:

These services will change the lives of thousands of individuals with autism — but we can’t do it without your help. Government funds only a portion of the services necessary for the people we serve to reach their potential. Learn how you can help.