CURRICULUM VITAE:
Temple University 1988 Ph.D. Psychological Studies in Education.
Dissertation: What Helps Families of Exceptional Children to Cope Successfully?
Temple University 1981 M.Ed. Psychology of Reading
Temple University 1971 B.A. English
Holy Cross College Presidential Scholarship, Biology, 1966-1968
LICENSURE:
Psychologist Pennsylvania, 1989
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PSYCHOLOGIST 1992- present
Full-time independent practice of psychology specializing in families of children with special needs. Family consultant at Specare Pediatric Center. Maintains Internet web site at www.specialfamilies.com. Writes a regular column at www.specialchild.com. Clinical privileges in psychology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Department of Psychiatry (1992-1999). Consultant to school districts and special education parent organizations. Performs disability evaluations for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Disability Determination.
FACULTY
American Healthcare Inst 1998-2000
Taught course in childhood mood, anxiety, and regulatory disorders providing continuing education for psychologists, counselors, and social workers.
CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST
Mercer County Head Start 1992- 1994 – Consultant to demonstration project which increased male parent involvement in Head Start program. Served as field supervisor for doctoral
students from Rutgers University Center for Applied Psychology.
Adjunct Faculty
Rider University 1993
Taught masters level course in psychology of personality
REGIONAL CONSULTANT
New Jersey Department of Education 1990-1992
Provided training on a full time basis for school psychologists, social workers, teachers, parents, etc. in preschool handicapped programs for the Division of Special Education. Consulted with school district staff regarding program development. Participated in developing training packages
FACULTY/COUNSELING DIRECTOR,
Peirce Junior College 1981-90
Taught general and managerial psychology courses. Directed Counseling Center and Special Services programs the disadvantaged and students with disabilities. Trained and supervised counselors and graduate practicum students from the University of Pennsylvania. Authored successful proposals for funding for state and federal programs. Served as faculty co-advisor to Black Student Union.
FACULTY Antioch University Philadelphia 1987 – 1989 -Conducted seminars for practicum students in M.Ed. And M.A. programs. Supervised practicum students and students’ research projects in special education. Taught courses in research methods, organizational psychology, learning disabilities and emotional disturbance
PSYCHOTHERAPIST Institute for Learning 1982 – 1987 – Diagnosed and treated emotionally disturbed and learning disabled children and adults. Created consultative relationships with school counselors and teachers. Counseled families
INSTRUCTOR Temple University 1981 – 1983
Lectured in the English Language Enrichment Center. Oriented incoming freshmen, primarily nontraditional students. Utilized group dynamics model to create support group.
TEACHER/COUNSELOR Philadelphia Literacy Institute1979 – 1981 – Diagnosed reading disabilities of young inner-city adults. Developed curricula and materials. Counseled students with social and emotional problems.
CASEWORKER Department of Public Welfare 1972 – 1978 – Determined eligibility for services. Counseled families and drug and alcohol abusers. Referred clients to appropriate social service agencies. Served on Labor-Management Committee.
TEACHING CERTIFICATIONS
Mentally, Physically Handicapped Pennsylvania, 1989
Reading Specialist Pennsylvania, 1981
English Pennsylvania, 1971
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Psychological Association
Council for Exceptional Children
Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Fellow
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Board of Directors, Center for Autistic Children
Professional Advisory Board, Pathway School
Interdisciplinary Council for Developmental and Learning Disorders, Parent Steering Committee
MEDIA APPEARANCES
Positive Parenting. KOIT Radio with Armin Brott. “Special Children, Challenged Parents, “ April 1998.
Radio Times, WHYY Radio, with Tracey Tannenbaum, “Fathers of Children with Disabilities, August 1997.
Voices in the Family, WHYY Radio and NPR, with Dan Gottlieb, Ph.D. “Autism,” July 1997.
Action News, WPVI TV with Dan Cuellar. “Rain Man,” December 1988.
PUBLICATIONS
2001: “The Rudest Awakening” in You Will Dream New Dreams: Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children with Disabilities edited by Stanley D. Klein, Ph.D. and Kim Schive. New York: Kensington Books.
2000: “When needs become overwhelming.” The PhiladelphiaInquirer, Commentary, January 9.
1999: “Book Review: The Birth of a Mother: How the Motherhood experience Changes You Forever.” Journalof Developmental and Learning Disorders 3(2), 279-282.
“Book Review: A Slant of Sun: One Child’s Courage.”Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders 3(1), 109-111.
“An Insider’s View of the Invisible Challenges: Understanding parents of children with mental, emotional and behavioral disorders.” Healing Magazine, Spring.
1998: “Big Boys Don’t Cry…on the Outside, That Is.” Rehabilitation Digest. 28(4), 2-6.
“Understanding Challenged Parents: The story of a father and son with special needs.”
Children and Families (National Head Start Association). 17(3), 24-27.
“The Father Factor: The experience of the father of a child with a disability has its own special needs.” Special Kids, Fall 1998, 16-19.
“A Self-Portrait of a Mother’s Love.” Advocate (Autism Society of America), 31(6), 21.
1997: Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With Disability. New York: Birch Lane Press.
1996: “Healing Broken Dreams”. Exceptional Parent, March 1996, 37-38.
1995: “Siblings of Children With Autism: Honoring Their Perspective.” Philadelphia Autism Society Newsletter, Fall 1995, 25-26.
1993: “Implementing The Americans with Disabilities Act: Unleashing Ability with Accommodations” in 20 Active -Training Programs, Volume II, edited by Mel Silberman. San Diego: Pfeiffer and Company.
1992: “The Magic of Male Involvement” with Darryl Reaves. National Head Start Association Journal, 9(4), 28-31.
1991: “Lost Dreams, New Hopes”. Journal of Counseling andDevelopment, 70(2), 354-355.
1990: Contributor to Enhancing Parent/Educator Collaboration inthe Special Education Process. New Jersey State Department of Education, 5-17.
1990: “Serving the handicapped in higher education: A family systems perspective”.Journal of the National Council of Educational Opportunity Organizations, 4(3), 12-15.
1989: “How families cope successfully with a handicapped child: A qualitative study”. Resources in Education, ED 310 601.
1988: “Research suggests coping strategies for families of exceptional children”. Spectrum, 6(1), 1-7.
1987: “Parents of exceptional children: What helps them cope with the situation”. Spectrum,(5)1, 1-6.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
“The Father Factor: Understanding the Special Needs of Fathers.” Abilities Expo presentation. Boston, October 2000.
“Being and Becoming a Father of a Child with Special Needs.” Keynote address presented to: Washington State Fathers’ Conference. Seattle, June 2000
“Children’s Mental Health in the New Millennium.” Keynote address to Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania, May 2000.
“Aging Caregivers and Their Mental Health Concerns.” Keynote address to the ARCoalition.
Philadelphia, May 2000.
“Insights and Reflections on Families.” Autism 2000 Conference Keynote. Wilkes Barre, April 2000.
“Special Children, Challenged Parents, Caring Professionals.” Keynote Address to Parent-Educator Connection Conference. Des Moines, February, 2000.
“When the Miracle Doesn’t Come.” Parent Panel Presentation, Interdisciplinary Council for Developmental and Learning Disorders Conference, November 1999.
“The Passions of Parenthood.” Alliance Breakfast Keynote Address. Philadelphia, October 1999.
“Families of Children with Special Needs: Insights and Interventions.” Grand Rounds, Psychiatry Department, Elizabeth General Medical Center. October 1999.
“First Aid for Your Relationship.” Keynote for Ventilator Assisted Program, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, October 1999.
“Everybody’s Special.” Keynote Address presented for Michigan Department of Education. Battle Creek, October, 1999.
“Understanding and Collaborating With Families.” Boggs’ Center UAP Lecture Series, University of medicine and dentistry of new Jersey, May 1999.
Forum on Fatherhood: When Children Have Special Needs, Co-Chair. Philadelphia, April 1999.
“Fragile Children, Challenged Parents.” A featured presentation, National Conference, Children Who Are Medically Complex or Technology Dependent.” Philadelphia, March 1999.
“Clinical Interventions in Perinatal Social Work.” Philadelphia Perinatal Social Workers Network Conference. October, 1998.
“Special Children, Challenged Parents, Caring Professionals: Building Links That Endure”
Keynote Address presented to Portland State University Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health National Conference. April 1998.
“Building New Dreams: For Parents of Children With Deaf-Blindness.” Workshop presented for GLARCDBE. Columbus, Ohio, July 1997.
“Issues facing Siblings of Children With Disabilities.” Workshop presented for GLARCDBE. Madison, Wisconsin. May, 1997.
“Ordinary Parents, Exceptional Children”. Keynote Address presented to Lancaster County Interagency Coordinating Council, May 1996.
“Building Parent-Professional Partnerships”. Keynote Address presented to Philadelphia County Interagency Coordinating Council, October 1995.
“The Rewards and Challenges of Parenting a Child with a Disability”. Keynote address, Passaic County Interagency Coordinating Committee Conference, October 1994.
“Parent and Staff Relations Within the Head Start Program”. Keynote address presented to Bucks County Head Start Pre-service Day, August 1993.