Dena Gassner, LMSW
Director
Center for Understanding
Dena is a nationally recognized service provider to teens and adults with AS. A co-author of Scholars with Autism Achieving Dreams, she assisted the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in rewriting their state handbook. She is a member of the Autism Summit Team and the Governor’s Speaker’s Bureau.
Stephen M. Shore, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Adelphi University
Stephen Shore was nonverbal until four and recommended for institutionalization, Dr. Shore focuses on empowering people with autism to develop their capacities to the fullest extent possible. Internationally known author and educator and Autism Society advisory board member, Stephen also serves on boards of other related organizations and teaches at Adelphi University.
Gayle Fitzpatrick, M.Ed., BFA
Educator
Center for Understanding
Gayle Fitzpatrick has been an artist and educator for 25 years in public schools, private foundations, community programs and colleges. Using research, best practice in education, and thinking outside the box, Gayle has developed programs for effective education that respect and honor the student’s mode of learning. Gayle has many years of pursuing advocacy and civil rights on behalf of children through schools and the Autism Society of Maine. She also works on behalf of her own children, who are 10 and 16, both of whom live with AS.