Curriculum Vitae: Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D.

Education

Ph.D., Psychological Studies in Education, Temple University, 1988. Dissertation: “What Helps Families of Exceptional Children to Cope Successfully?”
M.Ed., Psychology of Reading, Temple University, 1981
B.A., English, Temple University, 1971
Presidential Scholarship, Biology, Holy Cross College, 1966 to 1968

Licensure

Licensed Psychologist, Pennsylvania, since 1989. Now also licensed to practice in New Jersey and Michigan.

Current Professional Practice

Full-time independent practice of psychology, specializing in autism, families of children and adults with disabilities, depression, anxiety, and family conflict. Co-founder of Alternative Choices, with offices in Philadelphia and Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, offering both in-person and telehealth sessions along with autism evaluations for teens and adults. Holds clinical privileges in psychology with Penn Behavioral Health, University of Pennsylvania Health System. Board member, Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists. Member, Panel of Professional Advisors for the Autism Society of America, and the Leadership Panel of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. In 2008, honored by Variety, the Children’s Charity, for his contributions to the autism community.

Articles on KidsDirect.net

Earlier Professional Experience

Consultant to school districts and special education parent organizations; disability evaluations for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Disability Determination. 1992 to 1999, in addition to independent practice.
Faculty, American Healthcare Institute. 1998 to 2000. Taught continuing education courses in childhood mood, anxiety, and regulatory disorders for psychologists, counselors, and social workers.
Consulting Psychologist, Mercer County Head Start. 1992 to 1994. Consultant to a demonstration project that increased male parent involvement in the Head Start program. Field supervisor for doctoral students from Rutgers University’s Center for Applied Psychology.
Adjunct Faculty, Rider University. 1993. Taught a master’s level course in the psychology of personality.
Regional Consultant, New Jersey Department of Education. 1990 to 1992. Provided full time training for school psychologists, social workers, and teachers in preschool handicapped programs for the Division of Special Education, and consulted with school district staff on program development.
Faculty and Counseling Director, Peirce Junior College. 1981 to 1990. Taught general and managerial psychology courses. Directed the Counseling Center and Special Services programs for disadvantaged students and students with disabilities. Trained and supervised counselors and graduate practicum students from the University of Pennsylvania. Authored successful state and federal funding proposals. Served as faculty co-advisor to the Black Student Union.
Faculty, Antioch University Philadelphia. 1987 to 1989. Conducted seminars for M.Ed. and M.A. practicum students. Supervised practicum students and their research projects in special education. Taught courses in research methods, organizational psychology, and learning disabilities and emotional disturbance.
Psychotherapist, Institute for Learning. 1982 to 1987. Diagnosed and treated emotionally disturbed and learning disabled children and adults. Built consultative relationships with school counselors and teachers. Counseled families.
Instructor, Temple University. 1981 to 1983. Lectured in the English Language Enrichment Center. Oriented incoming nontraditional freshmen and used a group dynamics model to build a support group.
Teacher and Counselor, Philadelphia Literacy Institute. 1979 to 1981. Diagnosed reading disabilities in young inner city adults, developed curricula and materials, and counseled students with social and emotional challenges.
Caseworker, Department of Public Welfare. 1972 to 1978. Determined eligibility for services, counseled families and people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, referred clients to appropriate social service agencies, and served on the Labor Management Committee.

Teaching Certifications

Mentally and Physically Handicapped, Pennsylvania, 1989
Reading Specialist, Pennsylvania, 1981
English, Pennsylvania, 1971

Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Association
Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists, Board Member
Panel of Professional Advisors, Autism Society of America
Leadership Panel, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Fellow
Council for Exceptional Children

Community Service

Board of Directors, Center for Autistic Children
Professional Advisory Board, Pathway School
Interdisciplinary Council for Developmental and Learning Disorders, Parent Steering Committee

Selected 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
TEDx Temple University, on raising a son with autism

Selected Publications

2013: Autism in the Family: Caring and Coping Together. Baltimore: Brookes Publishing. A revised, deeper focus on the earlier Special Children, Challenged Parents, centered specifically on autism and including a notably in depth look at fathers’ experiences.
2006: Voices from the Spectrum: Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People with Autism, and Professionals Share Their Wisdom, co-edited with Cindy N. Ariel. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
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 Philadelphia Inquirer, Commentary, January 9.
1999: “Book Review: The Birth of a Mother: How the Motherhood Experience Changes You Forever.” Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders, 3(2), 279 to 282.
1999: “Book Review: A Slant of Sun: One Child’s Courage.” Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders, 3(1), 109 to 111.
1999: “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 to 6.
1998: “Understanding Challenged Parents: The Story of a Father and Son with Special Needs.” Children and Families (National Head Start Association), 17(3), 24 to 27.
1998: “The Father Factor: The Experience of the Father of a Child with a Disability Has Its Own Special Needs.” Special Kids, Fall 1998, 16 to 19.
1998: “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 a Disability. New York: Birch Lane Press.
1996: “Healing Broken Dreams.” Exceptional Parent, March 1996, 37 to 38.
1995: “Siblings of Children With Autism: Honoring Their Perspective.” Philadelphia Autism Society Newsletter, Fall 1995, 25 to 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 to 31.
1991: “Lost Dreams, New Hopes.” Journal of Counseling and Development, 70(2), 354 to 355.
1990: Contributor to Enhancing Parent and Educator Collaboration in the Special Education Process. New Jersey State Department of Education, 5 to 17.
1990: “Serving the Handicapped in Higher Education: A Family Systems Perspective.” Journal of the National Council of Educational Opportunity Organizations, 4(3), 12 to 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 to 7.
1987: “Parents of Exceptional Children: What Helps Them Cope with the Situation.” Spectrum, 5(1), 1 to 6.

Selected 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, Washington State Fathers’ Conference, Seattle, June 2000.
“Children’s Mental Health in the New Millennium.” Keynote address, Parents Involved Network of Pennsylvania, May 2000.
“Aging Caregivers and Their Mental Health Concerns.” Keynote address, 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, 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, Ventilator Assisted Program, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, October 1999.
“Everybody’s Special.” Keynote address, 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.” Featured presentation, National Conference on 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, 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, GLARCDBE, Columbus, Ohio, July 1997.
“Issues Facing Siblings of Children With Disabilities.” Workshop, GLARCDBE, Madison, Wisconsin, May 1997.
“Ordinary Parents, Exceptional Children.” Keynote address, Lancaster County Interagency Coordinating Council, May 1996.
“Building Parent-Professional Partnerships.” Keynote address, 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, Bucks County Head Start Pre-service Day, August 1993.
Continues to speak and write regularly on autism and family life, including a TEDx Temple University talk on raising a son with autism.