Professional Members

The support of ASCEND’s professional members — through their provision of current news and subject area expertise, support of speaking events, workshops and conferences, and general dedication to individuals with AS and their families — is critical to ASCEND’s ongoing work. They are listed here for your informational purposes. Links or mentions on our site should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation. For more information on becoming an ASCEND Group Professional Member, click here.

ATTORNEYS

Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, Attorneys at Law

Contact: Ira Fingles, Esq.
600 West Germantown Pike, Suite 400, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
215/860-2100 (PA), 609/896-4200 (NJ) or ira@hinkle1.com
www.hinkle1.com
Legal services to families of people with disabilities, including special education, estate planning, and elder law. Attorneys have argued many of the precedent setting cases affecting people with disabilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

McAndrews Law Offices

Contact: Dennis C. McAndrews & Heidi Konkler-Goldsmith, Esq.
30 Cassatt Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312
610/648-9300 or jhardy@mcandrewslaw.com
www.mcandrewslaw.com
Special education and special needs trusts.

Thalheimer & Palumbo, P.C.

Contact: Franca M. Palumbo, Esq.
100 S. Broad Street, Suite 1950, Philadelphia, PA 19110
215/568-5656 or franca@thalheimer.com
www.thalheimer.com
The Law Offices of Thalheimer and Palumbo, P.C. specialize in legal counsel and representation to disabled students and their parents in educational matters. We practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. We are among the most experienced education attorneys in the tri-state area. School law, in particular special education law, has been our focus since 1995.

Weinman Law Office

Contact: Carol S. Weinman, Esq.
3700 Manayunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128
215/591-3614 or csweinman@weinmanlawoffice.com
www.weinmanlawoffice.com
Legal services for the special needs of individuals on the spectrum who are arrested, convicted of a crime, or are facing suspension or expulsion in school, and their families.

Young Law Offices

Contact: Ilene Young, Esq., Principal Attorney
50 East Court Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
215-348-5448 or ileneyoung@ileneyoung.com
www.ileneyoung.com
Specialty law practice representing families with disabilities in special education law, family law and life planning.

AUTISM RESEARCH

Center for Autism Research (CAR)

Contact: Deb Dunn
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia & Univ. of Pennsylvania
3535 Market Street, Suite 860, Philadelphia, PA 19104
866/570-6524; 267/426-7540 or autism@email.chop.edu
stokes.chop.edu/car
The Center for Autism Research (CAR) has research studies for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) from ages 1 to 49 and for infants who are at risk for developing ASD because they have a sibling already diagnosed on the spectrum. Typically developing individuals are needed for most studies for comparison purposes. CAR’s research program includes brain imaging studies, epidemiology studies, developmental studies, genetics studies, and treatment studies. CAR’s goals are to identify the neurobiological, environmental, and genetic causes of ASD and to develop effective treatments. Participating families receive comprehensive assessment reports and are paid for their time and travel costs.

COUNSELING/COACHING

Adapting Aspergers

Contact: Jerry Kelly
5248 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026
610/789-3501 or jkelly1229@msn.com
www.adaptingaspergers.com
Private practice serving adults and teens with Aspergers. Jerry has over 15 years experience counseling and coaching teens, adults and the geriatric population with physical, social and psychological issues. He received his MA in counseling from Temple University. He has also completed a certified coaching program, attended numerous conferences and done extensive research into the best approaches to minimize the effects of Asperger Syndrome on social anxiety and isolation. His approach is a short-term, goal directed, cognitive intervention. His goal is to act as teacher, coach, social worker, translator and advocate all in one.

Autism Advisors & Advocates

Contact: Carol S. Weinman, J.D., President
Post Office Box 1372, Fort Washington, PA 19034
215/715-2361 or info@autismadvisorsandadvocates.com
www.autismadvisorsandadvocates.com
Catering to a host of needs for those with Asperger’s or HFA and their families. Consult, coach, and advocate for teens transitioning to college or the workplace, and their families. Advocate and negotiate with schools for parents of children on the spectrum. Assist parents with strategies to navigate the spectrum maze. Trainings, presentations, and consultations with schools, companies and law enforcement agencies with the focus on problem solving and guidance about Asperger’s and HFA.

Spectrum Coaching and Consulting, LLC.

Contact: Kallie Parkinson Coles
100 Blossom Way, Pottstown, PA 19465
484/624-4785 or kallie@spectrumcoachingandconsulting.com
www.spectrumcoachingandconsulting.com
Spectrum Coaching and Consulting, LLC provides on-site and remote coaching and consulting to teens and young adults with Aspergers Syndrome and their families and to college and universities in Chester, Montgomery, Delaware and Berks counties. Coaching and consulting services are aimed at assisting teens and young adults prepare for and achieve success in college environments.

CONSULTING: EDUCATIONAL/TUTORING

Dobson Educational Services

Contact: Joseph P. Dobson
8238 Germantown Avenue, Suite 1, Philadelphia, PA 19118
215/242-3587 or jpd@dobconsult.com
www.dobconsult.com
Placement services: Day and boarding schools, special needs programs of all kinds.

Cathy Grayson, M.A.

1616 Walnut Street, Suite #714, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215/923-2853 or Hannac54@hotmail.com
www.cathygrayson.com
Social skills groups offered in Bala Cynwyd for children with Asperger Syndrome; teacher training and family consulting; individual work with children and adolescents, school visits.

LearningRx Main Line

Contact: Janet Rutzel, Executive Director/Owner
600 Haverford Avenue, Suite 202, Haverford, PA 19041
610/440-3601 or jrutzel@learningrx.net
www.learningrx.com/main-line
Provides cognitive skills training that empowers anyone of any age to learn faster and easier. Tutoring and other programs reinforce WHAT students must learn (information). LearningRx learning centers identify and strengthen the skills behind HOW students learn. Provides testing and life-changing training for students of all ages who desire to learn and read better for life.

Katherine Miller Educational Consulting & Tutoring

Contact: Katherine I. C. Miller, M.Ed.
341 Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor, Haverford, PA 19041
610/789-6501 or kicmiller@aol.com
www.katherinemillereducation.com
Works with children, adolescents, adults, and families around school related issues. Services include educational planning, IEP support, behavior planning, school accommodations, advocacy and recommendations for both home and school that support areas of need along the autistic spectrum.

Varrassi Educational Associates

Contact: Vincent J. Varrassi, MA, LDT-C
203 Ridge Road, Milton, DE 19968
302/684-8343 or vjvarrassi@gmail.com
www.vincentvarrassi.com
Learning strategies instruction, executive function, learning disabilities evaluations, accommodations testing for post-secondary education, vocational interest assessment and post-secondary transition planning for students with disabilities.

CONSULTING: PLANNING & CARE MANAGEMENT

Plan of PA

Contact: Ginny Koehler, Executive Director
P.O. Box 154, Wayne, PA 19087
610/687-4036 or mail@planofpa.org
www.planofpa.org
PLAN of PA provides Planning, Trust and Care Management Services to families of adults with mental differences, utilizing a strength-based approach to maximize potential.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Eastern University

The College Success Program for Students Living with ASD
Contact: Douglas Cornman, MA, BC-DMT, LPC,
1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA
484/654-2378 or visit online.
This program provides academic, social, life-skill, and cultural support to otherwise qualified students. The University’s Cushing Center for Counseling and Academic Support, the CSP works collaboratively with traditional undergraduate academic supports and disability services. Qualified applicants must first apply and be admitted to the College of Arts and Sciences. Begins Fall 2012.

The University of the Arts

Contact: Neila Douglas, Director of Disability Services
320 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19102
215/717-6616 or ndouglas@uarts.edu
The University of the Arts is the first and only university in the United States solely dedicated to educating creative individuals in the visual, performing, and communication arts.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Valley Forge Educational Services

Contact: Holly Henry
1777 North Valley Road, P.O. Box 730, Paoli, PA 19301
610/296-6725 or info@vfes.net
www.vfes.net
Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES) offers a variety of services focused on guiding young children, adolescents and post high school (18-21) learners to independence. VFES provides educational programs and offers clinical services through its programs at The Vanguard School, Vanguard Transition Center, The Luma Center™ for Development and Learning and Summer Matters™. Dedicated to improving specialized education, VFES offers innovative research and advanced practices through its own programs and outreach programs for professional development and parent education.

PEDIATRICS: DEVELOPMENTAL

Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics of the Main Line, PC

Contact: James Coplan, MD & Judy Watman, ACSW, LSW
1062 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 3, Rosemont, PA 19010
610/520-2130 or info@NDPeds.com
www.NDPeds.com
Developmental diagnosis, medical diagnosis, intervention, monitor developmental progress, family function, long-term planning.

PSYCHOLOGY

Alternative Choices

Contact: Robert Naseef, Ph.D., Psychologist and Cindy N. Ariel, Ph.D.
319 Vine Street, Unit 110, Philadelphia, PA 19106
215/592-1333 or therapist@alternativechoices.com
www.alternativechoices.com
Alternative Choices is an independent mental health practice which specializes in children with special needs and their families. Services include: initial evaluations and second opinions for Autism Spectrum diagnosis; short-term solution focused counseling and long term psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults. Experienced child therapists utilize cognitive behavioral approaches along with age appropriate art, movement and other activities to work with children of all ages, beginning at age 2. Individual play-based therapies and treatment groups are also offered focused on increasing overall social-emotional growth.

The Center for Neuropsychology and Counseling

Contact: James J. Stone, Psy.D.
1243 Easton Road, Suite 203, Warrington, PA 18976
215/491-1119 or drjstone@comcast.net
www.thecenterinwarrington.com
Comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments, school observations, consultations, second opinions, workshops, staff training. Dr. Stone is a Neuropsychologist and Certified School Psychologist.

Kate Farmer, Ph.D.

PO Box 65, Lederach, PA 19450
215/256-9150 or katefarmer@comcast.net
Clinical child psychologist and certified school psychologist; family and individual-oriented psychotherapy with children ages 2-18; various referrals include anxiety, school difficulty, ADHD, autism spectrum, and overall behavioral concerns; psychological, educational and ADHD evaluations, as well; Aetna, Personal Choice, and BC/BS insurance provider.

Margaret Kay, Ed.D.

2818 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
717/569-6223 or mjk@margaretkay.com
www.margaretkay.com
Independent education evaluations for school-age children; also evaluates younger children and adults.

Carol Moog, Ph.D.

Clinical Director, Social Learning Disorders Program, Univ. of Pennsylvania
Private Practice: 301 Kent Rd., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610/667-1540 or focusmoog@aol.com
Psychotherapy oriented towards developing social skills, reciprocal relationship-building, increasing role repertoire and confidence, especially in children, adolescents and adults with social learning issues such as Asperger’s. Eclectic, relationship-driven work which draws on training and experience as a musician and theater improviser.

Norford Psychological Associates

Contact: Bradley Norford, Ph.D.
14 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 205, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610/525-4828 or bcn686@verizon.net
www.norfordpsychology.com
Psychological services for families with children and adolescents of all ages on the autism spectrum. Child/adolescent/parenting/family therapy, consultation, and school advocacy. All therapists in the practice have expertise in treating children on the spectrum particularly through a cognitive-behavioral orientation. A positive, effective approach is utilized to address anxiety, flexibility, social cognition, adaptive behavior, and reducing stress at home.

SOCIAL SKILLS GROUPS

Note: Be sure to review other categories for providers who offer social skills groups in addition to other services.

Carousel Farm/Carousel Connections - New Member!

Contact: Amy McCann, Program Director
215-923-8865 or alagrotte@msn.com
Offers a summer program for ages 5-21 in Bucks County (Ivyland) that focuses on further development of social skills for children with special needs. Carousel Connections is a new six-week summer residential program that focuses on semi-independent living, vocational training, and the development of social skills in a recreational setting. The Carousel Connections program will take place on the campus of Haverford College.

COLLAGE/Occupational Therapy Programs

Contact: Nancy Kauffman, EdM, OTR/L, Founding Director
PO Box 419, Newtown Square, PA 19073
610/356-7355 or OTPrograms@aol.com
www.collage-OTP.org
Since 1987, providing an occupational therapy approach to developing social competence. OTP serves individuals with social skills deficits that intrude in day to day interactions in work, school, family and leisure by providing regularly scheduled, social-skill-enhancing group activities supplemented with therapeutic individual and group interventions and educational outreach.

Let’s Learn How to Make Friends Social Skills Groups

Contact: Becky O’Hara CCC-SLP and Renee Hartey CCC-SLP
P.O. Box 562, Yardley, PA 19067
(Classes held in Bala Cynwyd.)
215-431-3032 or rahspeech@aol.com
Social skills/social thinking classes for children with Asperger Syndrome or High Functioning Autism. Classes are held weekends on a six-week cycle.

Mount Airy Counseling Center

Contact: Adam Berman, Psy.D
6833 Wayne Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119
267/971-1537 or adamberm@comcast.net
Many children and adolescents with ASD need to build their social skills or be in a more supportive environment in which they feel comfortable enough to communicate with peers. Dr. Berman offers social skills groups to strengthen interpersonal opportunities.

THERAPY: ARTS

Downingtown Area Recreation Consortium

Contact: Cindy Schneider, Instructor
Pickering Valley Elementary School, 121 Byers Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425
610/269-9260
www.darcinfo.com
Acting workshops and camp programs for youth and teens diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or other social cognition deficits. These groups use a theatrical approach to working on the deficit areas while providing a recreational group activity. Teaching participants basic acting techniques and helps students hone their skills in recognizing and portraying emotions through vocal tone, facial expression, and body language.

Child and Family Art Therapy Center

Home of the Art of Friendship Social Skills Program
Contact: Michael Fogel, MA,ATR-BC, LPC
678 Pont Reading Rd., Ardmore, PA 19003
Additional offices in Paoli, PA, and Pennington, NJ.
610/649-1080, ext. 1 or childfamart@verizon.net
www.childandfamilyarttherapycenter.com
Individual art therapy, social skills groups, parent/school consultation for social, emotional, academic support and development. The Art of Friendship Social Skills Program provides training at several locations throughout the Delaware Valley and specializes in the treatment of social challenges, ranging from mild social awkwardness and bullying to neurologically based diagnoses such as those on the autism spectrum, ADD, and learning disabilities.

The Center on Central

Contact: Katie Opher, Program Director
24 W. Central Ave., Paoli, PA 19301
610/710-1487 or katie@thecenteroncentral.com
www.TheCenteronCentral.com
The Center on Central provides creative arts therapies in group and individual sessions. Social skills groups using art and music as well as dance/movement group and yoga for special needs children. Ongoing classes and summer camps. One-half block from the Paoli train station.

THERAPY: BEHAVIORAL

The Center for Autism

Contact: Jean Ruttenberg, Executive Director
3905 Ford Road, Ste.6, Philadelphia, PA 19131
2801 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19114
215/878-3400 or info@thecenterforautism.org
www.thecenterforautism.org
The Center for Autism was founded in 1955 by child psychiatrist Bertram A. Ruttenberg, MD. The Center is the oldest specilized autism treatment and evaluation center in the nation. The Center offers comprehensive evaluation and intensive treatment to individuals with autism and their families. The Center also provides consulation to school districts, counties and rehabilitation centers serving people with autism of all ages throughout the Philadelphia region.

Child Guidance Resource Center

Contact: Brad Barry, Chief Executive Officer
2000 Old West Chester Pike, Havertown, PA 19083
484/454-8700 or bbarry@cgrc.org
www.cgrc.org
Provides community-based therapeutic, supportive, and preventive behavioral healthcare services for children, adolescents and families with mental health, developmental disability, and residential needs.

Education Alternatives for ABA, LLC

Contact: Maura E. Erwin, Ed D, BCBA-D, Agency Director
296 West Ridge Pike. Suite 205, Limerick, PA 19468
610/831-1865 or erwinme@aol.com
Employs a team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), Certified Special Education teachers, and trained ABA therapists to deliver a full range of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Verbal Behavior (VB) consultation services to children with developmental disabilities, specializing in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders. Offers Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) services delivered by a certified RDI consultant. Other services include intensive toilet training programs, behavioral feeding and oral motor programs, and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training.

Foundations Behavioral Health

Contact: Katie Chapman, Dir. of Business Development
833 E. Butler Avenue, Doylestown, PA 18901
215/345-0444, ext. 277 or Katherine.Chapman@uhsinc.com
www.fbh.com
Provides innovative behavioral health treatment to children, adolescents, and young adults. Treatment is delivered in a safe, clinically sound, and nurturing environment. Foundations Behavioral Health provides a full continuum of care including 24/7 Clinical Assessment Center, inpatient hospitalization, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, behavioral health rehabilitative services, Lifeworks School including Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialty Program.

Got Compass?

Contact: Victoria Conn, M.D., Child Psychiatrist
205 Winsor Lane, Haverford, PA 19041
610/642-1673 or vaconn@comcast.net
Child psychiatrist providing evaluation services to children, adolescents, and adults; and individual therapy for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorders. Dr. Conn uses a developmental, relationship-based approach that respects individual differences and strengths.

THERAPY: COUNSELING

Surviving & Thriving

Contact: Sonia Voynow, LCSW
114 Forrest Avenue, Suite 101, Narberth, PA 19072
215-247-5832 or voyboy@verizon.net
www.survivingthriving.com
Serves as a resource for family members struggling with the challenges of raising a child on the autism spectrum. Services include groups for parents and grandparents; individual, couples and family therapy; and coaching. In addition, Voynow speaks on topics to support people who love a child on the spectrum.

THERAPY: MULTIPLE DISCIPLINES

Austill’s Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

Contact: Rebecca Austill-Clausen, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, President
100 John Robert Thomas Drive, Exton, PA 19341
610/363-7009, x217 or becky@austills.com
www.austills.com
A therapist owned service agency, providing occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language services to early intervention programs, school districts and intermediate units throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania for 27 years. Also a provider of evening and weekend continuing education conferences appropriate for therapists, parents, teachers, psychologists and educational administrators.

Communication Imaging, LLC

Contact: Susan Paul, MA, CCC-SLP
4 Cottonwood Court, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
610/564-1127 or spaul@communicationimaging.com
www.communicationimaging.com
Private speech therapy practice providing comprehensive speech and language evaluations; comprehensive & individualized speech therapy with quality and care across the lifespan. Social communication groups.

Craig Lichtman, MD

Contact: Craig Lichtman, MD
300 E. Lancaster Ave, Wynnewood, PA 19096, and
2031 Locust Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
215 567-7336

Provides psychotherapy and psychiatric services for adult and late adolescent individuals, couples, and families. He works within a recovery model, encouraging people to try to make the best of their personal strengths and opportunities. In addition, he serves on several non-profit Boards of Directors, including PLAN of PA (which provides care management, special needs trust, and representative payee services) and The Center for Autism.

A Total Approach

Contact: Maude Le Roux
9 LaCrue Street, Suite 103, Glen Mills, PA 19342
484/840-1529 or info@atotalapproach.com
www.atotalapproach.com
Serves individuals with sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, dyslexia. The Total Approach team includes occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists working with each client in a holistic manner, believing that each client has the ability to learn in his/her own unique way.

Let’s Go Play, Inc.

Contact: Ginger S. Rowan, M.S., L.M.F.T.
225 S. Chester Road, Suite 4, Swarthmore, PA 19081
484/472-8712 or gsrowanlmft@gmail.com
www.letsgoplayinc.org
Let’s Go Play, Inc., a not-for-profit (501c3) located in Swarthmore, provides social, emotional, behavioral and educational support to special needs children and their families at a reduced cost. Currently, we offer Lego socialization, classes one hour, limited to six children, and are supported by two adults, at least one of whom has a Master’s degree. Let’s Go Play also offers educational, behavioral and emotional support.

OTR, Inc.

Contact: Wilma Dorman, OTR/L
920 Germantown Pike, Suite 20, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
610/270-9650 or otrinc@verizon.net
www.otrinc.org
Private, pediatric OT practice offering comprehensive assessments, individual treatment, Sensory Integration therapy, Social Competency Groups ages 4-18, motor skills development, handwriting, keyboarding, school consultations, inservices; provides specialized therapeutic intervention in collaboration with parents, team members and the child. Certified RDI consultant – family coaching

Theraplay, Inc.

Contact: Laurie Watkin, Sales and Marketing Coordinator
638 Brandywine Parkway, West Chester, PA 19380
610/436-3600, ext. 16 or kids@theraplayinc.com
www.theraplayinc.com
Provider of pediatric therapy services, including physical, occupational, speech, feeding, social work and special education for children birth to 21. Theraplay also provides services to schools, early intervention, and home care and has outpatient offices in West Chester, Limerick, Horsham and Springfield.

Tempo! Music Therapy

Contact: Angela Guerriero, M. Ed., MA, MT-BC
7 North Five Points Road, West Chester, PA 19380
610/344-7030 or info@tempotherapy.com
www.tempotherapy.com
Tempo! offers individual and group music therapy sessions, adapted and therapeutic music lessons, hand chime choirs, and a Creative Arts Therapy (CAT) camp in the summer. In addition, Music Together (early childhood inclusive music classes) and several teen music therapy groups are offered each semester. Services are offered in West Chester, Lionville, and King of Prussia. Please call or visit our website to request a brochure.

STEPS at Main Line Rehabilitation

Contact: Cara Wyndham, Program Coordinator
669 Exton Commons, Exton, PA 19341
610/280-0180 or cwyndham@mainline-rehab.com
www.mainline-rehab.com
The STEPS Program was founded on one principle: improved quality of life. This is achieved through increased independence in daily living, meaningful work, and fulfilling social relationships. Consumers will develop the skills for increased cognitive and social adaptability in order to better manage the dynamic environment that defines every day life. This program focuses on cognitive skill building, physical activity, social interaction, community access, vocational preparedness, and personal responsibility. These activities will be addressed both within program walls and in the community.

Learn More About Asperger Syndrome