BOARD MEMBERS and ADVISORS

Rosa is a behavior and curriculum specialist, working with autism families for over 40 years. She received her doctorate from Columbia University and has taught education courses at the College of Staten Island, Touro College and Hunter College. She was the curator of the exhibition of The Inaugural World Autism Awareness Month art exhibition "Don't 'dis' the Ability" at The United Nations in 2008. The exhibition featured 13 artists with autism from around the world!

Stuart is the Chairman and founder of The Disabilities Leadership Council and Special Needs Family Planning. He has spent the past 20 years advocating, planning and designing strategies for successful outcomes. Stuart was appointed in 2013 to serve on the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, a government agency that addresses the needs of people with developmental disabilities. Stuart is the President of Stuart Flaum Consulting, LLC, a benefits advisory firm for people with disabilities and their families.

Laurence has been a tireless spokesman for savant artists with autism. He has written articles for autism publications, organized conferences and art exhibitions and is a producer of films. Laurence won several top awards (including one from the British Medical Association) for producing "With Eyes Wide Open": A film about Scottish artist Richard Wawro. He also produced "Fierce Love and Art"; which focuses on "steadfast parents and the loyal championing" of their children.

Temple is a professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, and consultant to the livestock industry in animal behavior.  She is widely noted for her work in autism advocacy and is the inventor of the hug machine designed to calm hypersensitive persons. Temple Grandin is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. Temple Grandin did not talk until she was 3 years old, and now she has become a prominent author and speaker on the subject of autism.

Stephen Wiltshire is an internationally acclaimed artist (with autism) who draws and paints detailed cityscapes. He is internationally recognized for his  particular talent for drawing lifelike, accurate representations of cities, sometimes after having only observed them briefly. He was awarded an MBE for services to the art world in 2006 and he studied Fine Art at City & Guilds Art College. His drawings are popular all over the world, and are held in a number of museums and important private and public collections.

Dr. Treffert (1933-2020)   leaves behind an incredible legacy of invaluable information, knowledge, philosophies and inspiration for future generations to come.  "His legacy will forever be cemented with the opening of the Treffert Center in Fond du Lac, WI (2016)."  His extensive research and "vast collection of books, articles, videos and artwork on savant syndrome and autism" are catalogued at The Agnesian HealthCare campus where he has been studying Savant Syndrome for nearly 40 years.  "Dr. Treffert was our mentor,  colleague and friend. We will deeply miss his beautiful spirit."