Holly Young

Autism Light #463 is Holly Young. 

Holly Young is an autism mother, retired police officer, and business owner from Cincinnati, Ohio. Her 8 year old son Roman has autism. She retired after 16 years as a police officer to open a business called Puzzle Pieces in order to provide a place where parents of children with autism and special needs could find appropriate toys. Holly Young is also known for filing a federal lawsuit in 2012 against the failure of Ohio to provide ABA therapy for her son. Holly Young is an Autism Light because of the way in which she has helped provide resources and set the stage for legal precedent that will make a tremendous difference for autism families in Ohio and around the country.

Puzzle Pieces: Puzzle Pieces is a store opened by Holly Young so that parents and their children with autism would have a place they could go to see and touch toys geared for their special needs. Puzzle Pieces had their grand opening on March 24, 2018. The store is located at the address 11912 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The following is a news story on the opening of Puzzle Pieces.



Holly Young experienced frustration when she couldn't find a place to acquire therapy toys geared for autism, so she went into retirement from being a police officer in order to open Puzzle Pieces. Puzzle Pieces is not merely a business but a resource for the autism community in Ohio born from the passion of an autism mother that discovered a need for it.

Holly Young said, "Picking out a toy for a child is hard. Picking out a toy for an atypical child with sensory needs is very hard, so hopefully this will help bridge that gap for parents (As quoted by Nicole Pelletiere, ABC News, March 21, 2018).



Groundbreaking Lawsuit in Ohio for ABA Therapy: Holly Young had to fight the State of Ohio over the lack of ABA Therapy for her son Roman. Roman began receiving services in 2011 through the Help Me Grow program in Ohio when he was age 2. When the state refused to provide ABA therapy and services ended in August 2012, she and her husband David filed a lawsuit in December of that year. In January 2013 Judge Michael Barrett ruled in their favor of the Young's forcing Ohio to provide ABA services (WBRC News, January 15, 2013). In 2014 they received a settlement of $142,000 for the time that Roman went without treatment and how that impacted his development (WLWTV.com, September 30, 2014). This case was inspirational and helpful in opening doors for countless other autism families by setting legal precedent regarding ABA therapy.

"Roman has paved the way for a lot of autistic children that are having the same problems we had. The United States Department of Education actually stepped in and said Ohio was not doing what they should be doing for children zero to three, Holly Young said (As quoted by Adrianne Kelly, WLWTV.com, September 30, 2014).

Social Media: You can follow Puzzle Pieces at the Facebook page for Puzzle Pieces.

Special thanks to Holly Young for being an Autism Light. She is an inspiration for her dedication as an autism mother, and her willingness to take action in the public arena that is making a practical difference for other autism families in Ohio. The climate for autism is improved for many by the faithfulness of mothers like Holly Young who see a need and do what they can to meet that need, even though it involves sacrifice. We wish Holly Young and her store Puzzle Pieces much success.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Harold Doherty

Autism Light #427 is Harold L. Doherty.

Harold L. Doherty is an attorney and autism father from Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada. He is an autism advocate who is also a blogger and prolific user of social media. His son Conor has autism. Harold Doherty is an Autism Light for the dedication he has an autism father and for using his expertise as a Canadian attorney to help fight for autism services in Canada, especially that medicare will cover ABA therapy to help those who are most severely impacted by autism.

Harold Doherty with his son Conor

Autism Father: Harold Doherty has two sons and his 19 year old son Conor is severely impacted by autism. Harold began his autism advocacy in 1999 when Conor was 3 years old. Harold Doherty says, "My interest in autism, and my engagement in autism advocacy, began with my son Conor's Autism Disorder diagnosis and the need to do something (Organized Wisdom-Autism Reality in NB)."

Harold Doherty wrote the following Autism Pledge to his son Conor. It reveals the scope of his dedication and is found on his blog.

Today I Pledge to continue; I Pledge to continue to fight for the availability of effective autism treatments; I Pledge to continue to fight for real education for autistic children; I Pledge to continue to fight for decent residential care for autistic adults; I Pledge to continue to fight for a cure for autism; I pledge to continue finding joy in my son but not in the autism disorder that restricts his life; Today, and everyday, I Pledge to continue to hope for a better life for Conor and others with autism through accommodation, care, respect, treatment, and some day a cure; Today, and everyday, I Pledge to continue to fight for the best possible life for Conor, my son with autistic disorder (Facing Autism in New Brunswick Blog).

Attorney: Harold Doherty's primary area of practice as a lawyer in Canada has been in the field of labour and employment law. He has also had extensive involvement working with some First Nation’s (Indian Bands) in the province of New Brunswick where he lives and practices.

Medicare for Autism Now!: Harold Doherty is a member of the Board of Directors of Medicare for Autism Now!. He advocates for ABA treatment for autism disorder coverage under medicare legislation in Canada. Harold is advocating for inclusion of evidence based autism treatment and ABA, under the Canada Health Act. He will be an advocate for autism coverage under medicare in the current federal election in Canada.

The following is a 2012 interview featuring Harold Doherty in a series called Medicare's Orphans.

Facing Autism in New Brunswick Blog: Harold Doherty started his blog Facing Autism in New Brunswick in 2006 to spread his autism advocacy. Since it's beginning his blog has had almost 1.3 million page views. His blog includes both news and opinions related to his autism advocacy in Canada as well as personal updates on Conor and his journey as an autism father. 

If you wish to read Harold Doherty's blog, the following are two selected posts on his blog that Harold Doherty recommends people read.

• Neurodiversity Cultists Take Note: My Son Is A Joy; His Autism Is A DISORDER (November 16, 2013)
• An Enhanced Group Home System and Center is Needed to Fill the Gaping Gap in New Brunswick’s Autism Service Model (November 30, 2010)

You may also find some of Harold Doherty's blog posts in syndication and tagged on the Autism Speaks Blog.

ABA Advocate: Harold believes in the proven effectiveness of ABA therapy to make a difference for autism. His efforts as an autism advocate have it's start when he "began to realize the seriousness of his [son Connor's] autism disorder, that ABA treatment could be helpful and that ABA based early intervention for autism disorder was not generally available where I live (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015)."

Care and Treatment for Adults with Autism: Harold Doherty has been an autism advocate as his son has grown from a toddler to an adult. His current priority is to advocate for better services for adults with autism. He writes the following about the urgency of this part of his efforts.

My most important effort right now is working on adult autism care and treatment and for that reason met with the provincial Minister of Social Development for the province of New Brunswick. Establishment of a decent, modern adult autism care and treatment is the biggest challenge I have faced and both me and my son are getting older. Time is growing short (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015).

Questioning Neurodiversity Message: Autism is a spectrum that represents people who have extraordinary abilities as well as exceptional disabilities. The great chasm of differences in the intellectual and developmental capacity of individuals with autism can lead to profound differences in autism messaging from their advocates. Harold Doherty has personal experiences with the serious difficulties facing individuals with low functioning autism both in his family and in his community work. He has raised an alarm about the unintended consequences of the neurodiversity message having the potential to demotivate government from providing critical autism treatment services. He writes the following about neurodiversity.

I believe that neurodiversity is a major obstacle to improving lives of those with autism disorders including my son. The mainstream media has a tendency to grab the feel good stories about those persons with high functioning autism or Aspergers who have very impressive accomplishments. The severe end of the spectrum tends to be ignored by the media and generally lost to public consciousness until a serious tragedy results as in the Avonte Oquendo case and other cases of wandering leading to death (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015).

Photographer: Harold Doherty's principle hobby is outdoor photography that he combines with his love of walking. He writes, "I am fortunate to live in a city called the green city with a very natural environment and wildlife in the middle of, and throughout, the city. I have always loved being outdoors and in nature and I combine the two for exercise and relaxation (Harold Doherty via an email to Autism Light, August 3, 2015)." The following is a photo he took on his walk that he posted on Twitter.

Conor on bench waitinf for slowpoke Dad to catch up.during a trail walk this week. pic.twitter.com/knRpjgTekt

— Harold L Doherty (@AutismRealityNB) July 31, 2015

Social Media: You can follow Harold Doherty on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page for Harold Doherty
• Google + Page for Harold Doherty
• Twitter @AutismRealityNB

Special thanks to Harold Doherty for being an Autism Light. His dedication and tenacity as an autism advocate is a strength of source for those severely impacted by autism who may not necessarily be able to speak for themselves. We wish Harold Doherty all the best in his role as an autism father and community advocate in New Brunswick, Canada.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photos: The photos in the post were used with permission of Harold L. Doherty and are in the "Buddies Forever" section of his blog's main page.

Central Michigan University Psychology Department

Autism Light #418 is the Central Michigan University Psychology Department.

Central Michigan University is a public university located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and was established in 1892. It is the third largest research university in Michigan. The Psychology Department is part of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences at Central Michigan University. The Psychology Department at Central Michigan University is an Autism Light because of their creation of the Central Autism Assessment and Treatment Center in the Fall of 2014.

The following is a video about how the Central Autism Assessment and Treatment Center will work to help those with autism receive critical assessment and ongoing treatment.

The Central Autism Assessment and Treatment Center opened the last week of October 2014 (Central Michigan News, October 30, 2014). They offer ABA therapy treatments in addition to assessments for autism. They are the northernmost autism assessment and treatment center in the state of Michigan, so it will be filling a key role by shining a light to those impacted by autism in the rural communities of Northern Michigan.

The following overview describes the Central Autism Assessment and Treatment Center.

The Central Autism Assessment Treatment (CAATC) Center is a multidisciplinary student training center that provides comprehensive, evidence-based assessment and treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. 

The multidisciplinary assessment team is comprised of a board certified pediatrician, speech and language pathologist, licensed psychologist, and advanced graduate students (Central Autism Assessment and Treatment Center Website).

In addition, to helping those with autism the center at the time of this post is one of only two places in the State of Michigan that will also train students for a career in autism treatment and assessment. Central Michigan University was able to create this autism center thanks to a $500,000 grant from the State of Michigan Department of Community Health (Now Department of Health and Human Services) that funded a program of training students starting in January 2014.

Faculty member Carl Merle Johnson said, "Behavior analysis is considered the best treatment of choice for autism because of the results it provides. Every individual who receives treatment experiences some improvement. That's why it's so important for us to train more people to be able to provide the service. The need is great and growing, particularly here in central and northern Michigan (As Quoted by Lindsay Knake, MLive, October 14, 2013)."

Social Media: You can follow Central Michigan University and their Psychology Department on the following social media areas.

• Facebook Page for Central Michigan University
• Facebook Page for Psychology Department at Central Michigan University
• Twitter @CMUniversity
• YouTube Channel for Central Michigan University

Wikipedia: You can find out more about Central Michigan University on their Wikipedia Page.

Special thanks to Central Michigan University for creating the Central Autism Assessment and Treatment Center. We anticipate that this center will make a tremendous difference in the years to come for individuals with autism who live in Northern and Central Michigan. It is hoped that their work will inspire other universities to offer autism services. If you would like to find out about autism services at Central Michigan University the phone is 989-774-3904.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Lois Blackwell

Autism Light #415 is Lois Blackwell.

Lois Judevine Blackwell was a pioneer in autism treatment in St. Louis Missouri and founded the Judevine Center for Autism. Lois Blackwell was born on September 17, 1927, and passed away on March 17, 2015, at the age of 87. She had been diagnosed with cancer a week earlier. She is survived by three children: Kathy Blackwell, Mark (Valerie) Blackwell and Rebecca Blackwell. The funeral service for Lois Blackwell was held on March 21, 2015, at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Frontenac, Missouri. Internment followed at Oak Hill Cemetery in Kirkwood, Missouri. Lois Blackwell will be placed on the Autism Light Memorial Roll today.

Education: Lois Blackwell started working as a secretary in the Sociology Department of Washington University in St. Louis in the 1960's. She taught herself all she could on the newly discovered condition of autism so she could help in the small autism clinic the department had. In 1967 she became the Assistant Director in the Social Exchange Laboratory at Washington University. When she retired in 2004, Washington University awarded her an honorary degree for her lifetime work.

Judevine Center for Autism:  Lois Blackwell founded the Judevine Center for Autism in 1970 after a grant at the university's lab expired.

When the grant for the university's lab ran out out in 1970, Mrs. Blackwell and the parents of the children weren't ready to give up. They started the first program for treatment of autism in St. Louis. They stood in streets with donation cans to raise money from passing motorists. Mrs. Blackwell developed the training for parents, teachers, and professionals (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 20, 2015, Michael D. Sorkin).

Lois Blackwell, who was divorced, didn't want her name on the center, but parents decided to call it Judevine, which was her maiden name.  Lois wrote the curriculum used at the Judevine clinics. They did not use drugs in treatment but used a pioneer version of what we know as ABA therapy by giving rewards to reinforce positive behaviors.

"The Mission of the Judevine Center for Autism is to make a real difference in the quality of life for children and adults with autism, and their families, wherever they may live (Judevine Center Website)."  You can learn more about the ongoing autism services and training offered at the clinics that the Judevine Center for Autism has around the State of Missouri on their website at judevine.org.

Residential Treatment: Lois Blackwell is the founder of the first residential treatment center for autistic people in St. Louis. She established this groundbreaking program in the former St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church near the Missouri Botanical Garden  (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 20, 2015, Michael D. Sorkin).

Social Media: You can follow the Judevine Center on the following social media areas:

• Facebook Page for Judevine Center for Autism
• Twitter @JudevineCenter

Philosophy of Education: Michael Sorkin wrote in her obituary, "Mrs. Blackwell viewed her mission as destroying the idea that autistic children cannot learn and are incapable of education (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 20, 2015, Michael D. Sorkin)."

Obituaries: You may read more information about Lois Blackwell in these obituaries.

• Obituary at Dignity Memorial. 
• The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Obituary

Special thanks to Lois Blackwell for her pioneer work to improve the lives of those with autism in St. Louis. Her work lives on in the Judevine Center for Autism and in the children she worked with who are now adults. The autism community truly lost a treasure. May her life prove to be an example to others who follow her in Missouri and around the world.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Ole Ivar Lovaas

Autism Light #255 is Dr. Ole Ivar Lovaas.

 

Dr. Ole Ivar Lovaas was born in Lier, Norway on May 8, 1927. He was a clinical psychologist at UCLA who spent 40 years in autism research and pioneered a treatment for autism known today as the Lovaas treatment. Lovaas is also regarded as the Father of Applied Behavioral Analysis as it applied to people with autism.  Dr. Lovaas passed away on August 2, 2010, in Lancaster, California. Dr. Ole Ivar Lovaas is being named an Autism Light posthumously and added to the Autism Light Memorial Roll because of his contribution to the field of autism treatment.

The New York Times obituary for Dr. Lovaas states that he was "a psychologist who developed one of the most widely used therapies for children with autism, and in doing so helped change the treatment and the public perception of the condition (Source)." The following is an early interview done with Dr. Ivar Lovaas. In addition to it's historical value it provides a background into the approach for treatment used by Dr. Lovaas.


Dr. Jacqui Wynn, a former student of Dr. Lovaas and the director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, gave this tribute to Dr. Ivar Lovaas:

He gave hope and opportunities to children and families who really had no hope or opportunities before him. It was all based on Ivar believing what at the time was thought to be impossible--that these kids could learn and change and lead normal lives. He stuck with that belief doggedly (Source).

Early Life: Dr. Ivar Lovaas worked as a farmer in Norway as a young man during the Nazi occupation of his country.

Education: Dr. Ivar Lovaas earned his undergraduate degree from Luther College in Iowa where he earned a scholarship in music for his skill in playing the violin. He went on to earn his doctorate of psychology from the University of Washington.

Career: Dr. Ivar Lovaas became a Professor of Psychology at UCLA in 1961. At the time of his death he was an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at UCLA.  The Los Angeles Times said, "At UCLA, Lovaas' class, Psychology 170A: Behavior Modification, was among the most popular undergraduate courses. In a booming voice, he entertained students with stories of Norway and played the song "Dust in the Wind" to introduce a lesson on human malleability (Source)."

Research: Dr. Ivar Lovaas was influential in showing that some children with autism could benefit from treatment.  His paper called, Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Young Autistic Children was important and spreading that message to the autism treatment community.

Quote: Dr. Ivar Lovaas' said regarding research, "If we lose or minimize the importance of peer-reviewed outcome data, we abandon the defining feature of behavioral approaches to social problems (Source)."

Lovaas Institute: In 1995, Dr. Ole Ivar Lovaas founded the Lovaas Institute and they continue to carry on his work today with partners around the United States who utilize the Lovaas approach for autism. The following is the announcement the Lovaas Institute shared about the passing of Dr. Lovaas in 2010.

More information on Ivar Lovaas is available on these many sites who recognized his life accomplishments:

• Memories of Ole Ivar Lovaas at Association for Psychological Science
• Los Angeles Times Obituary
• Medscape Today Article
• New York Times Obituary
• Psychology Today Article on Ivar Lovaas
• Wikipedia Page

Special thanks to Dr. Ivar Lovaas for being an Autism Light. Your work was not in vain and its impact continues to this day to help brighten the lives of children and families with autism.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The photos of Dr. Lovaas in this post were used with permission of the Lovaas Institute.

Jennifer Pacht Goodman

Autism Light #252 is Jennifer Pacht Goodman.

Jennifer Pacht Goodman is a music therapist from Watchung, New Jersey who is utilizing music to change the lives of people with autism.  A former child actress and Broadway singer, Jennifer Goodman opened her music therapy business called Jammin Jen in 2009. Jennifer Goodman is an Autism Light for the help she is providing those with autism through music therapy.

The following is a video of Jennifer Goodman providing music therapy. Dozens of other videos are available on her YouTube Channel.



Early Career:  Jennifer Pacht Goodman explains her early career via Autism Light in this way:

As a child, I was an actress, I auditioned for Broadway shows, commercial, and movies. I decided as a young adult to go to school for Musical Theater thinking I could be a Broadway star. I loved the theatre and after graduating the Boston Conservatory of Music, where I studied theatre, I immediately was cast on Holland America cruise ship as a cast member for their shows. IT WAS FUN! I was young and I was living what at the time, I thought was my dream. I also traveled throughout Europe doing Broadway tour shows.

Jennifer Pacht Goodman reflected on how her life was changed at age 25 when she took her first Music Therapy class at New York University. She said, "I literally can remember, like it was yesterday where in the classroom I was sitting when I knew in my heart, that I wanted to be a Music Therapist."  At that point her plans changed from seeking the lights of Broadway to being a music therapist and an Autism Light for children with autism.

Education: Jennifer Pacht Goodman graduated with the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater from the Boston Conservatory of Music and earned a Master of Arts Degree in Music Therapy from New York University.

ABA Certification: Jennifer Pacht Goodman is an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapist who is trained in three forms of ABA (Source).

• Applied Behavioral Analysis: Discrete Trial Testing (DTT)
• Vincent Carbone's techniques of Verbal Behavior
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Jennifer Pacht Goodman finds that the combination of Music Therapy and ABA principles is the most effective approach.

Jammin Jen Music Therapy Program: Approximately 50 children receive one on one therapy at Jammin Jen's studio. In addition, they lead programs in 10 private and public schools in New Jersey that reach dozens of additional students.

Here is one of the many testimonials from a parent with a child in Jammin Jen's program.

Jenn has truly helped James find his "voice". He has such a great time singing, dancing, and playing instruments, it doesn't seem like the hard work it is. Since starting with Jenn, his speech and coordination continue to improve and his learning skills that will bring him a lifetime of enjoyment. If only therapy was this fun (Source).--Linda M. Autism Mother

Contact: You can find out more about Jennifer Pacht Goodman's music therapy at her website at www.jamminjenn.com. Or you can email her at Jenn@jamminjenn.com or call (917) 922-3227. 

Other Programs: Creative Speech Solutions, Inc. describes some of Jennifer Pacht Goodman's other accomplishments beyond Jammin Jen like this. "Jennifer created the Music Therapy Program at the McCarton Center in New York City, where she enhanced the lives of numerous children. She is also co-creator of a special needs music class at Tumble James in Scotch Plains, NJ. She skillfully combines her theatrical and multifaceted clinical training into an effective, unique, and energetic approach (Source)."

Value of Music Therapy: Jennifer Pacht Goodman states her belief in the value of Music Therapy this way via Autism Light.

The value of music therapy to those with autism is extraordinary and unique relative to other therapies that children with autism commonly receive. Music is special in a way that humans universally can appreciate, of course including those with with special needs. Music is a medium that transforms those subjected to it. It affects our mood, our processing, our sensations, and our abilities. It is a tool utilized to enhance progress, processing, and goal attainment. As we all know music can generate joy, recreation, and fun for example. As certain music is played/chosen, it is used to deliberately evoke certain responses. Often progress transcends what might be other wise possible in other therapies or settings. Please understand that I think other therapies like, ABA, occupational, speech, and others are crucial. Their importance, if not emphasis should not be discounted. It's just that I understand the power of music. I see it at work every day.

Incorporating Music Therapy into Everyday Life: Jennifer Pacht Goodman has this suggestion for how to incorporate music therapy into the life of those with autism.

Working with a seasoned and talented music therapist is a terrific idea.  But by no means is that the only way an individual with autism should experience music.  The best thing about music is that is is everywhere!  It is inexpensive to buy and readily available.  Listen, move, play, dance!!!!  Let it impact you.  Parents can use melodies of simple, familiar children's songs to get their children to accomplish something that might be difficult.  An example might be, a child is having a tantrum because they do not want to put their PJs on for bedtime ritual.   Instead of the parent becoming frustrated, they can help their child by making the situation less of a struggle, by singing.(Sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle " It is nighttime and it's time to go to sleep.  Pj's on, Pj's on we must put our Pj's on.  It is nighttime, it is time to go to sleep."  Musical repetition, allows for security so I encourage all caretakers of a child with special needs to try this, and tailor the lyrics to fit your child's unique needs.

Social Media: You can follow Jammin Jen on the following social media areas:

• Facebook Group
• YouTube Channel

Special thanks to Jennifer Pacht Goodman for her work in music therapy. She is truly an Autism Light, changing autism one life at a time.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The photo in this post is used with permission of Jennifer Pacht Goodman. 

Reggie B. Walton

Autism Light #231 is The Honorable Reggie B. Walton.

The Honorable Reggie B. Walton has served as the United States District Judge for the District of Columbia since October 29, 2001, having been nominated to the position by then President George W. Bush. Judge Walton is an Autism Light for his groundbreaking ruling on July 26, 2012, that will ease the path for military families to receive Applied Behavioral Analyis treatment for their children through their military health insurance known as TRICARE.

Reggie B. Walton earned his law degree from American University, Washington College of Law in 1974.  Judge Walton is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

On July 26, 2012, Judge Reggie B. Walton ruled that TRICARE, the health insurance program for United States active and retired military, must cover Applied Behavioral Analyis as a medically necessary therapy. The decision was in support of the plaintiffs in Civil Action No. 10-0373 in case known as Berge v. United States of America. Kenneth and Dawn Berge and a class of other impacted military families brought the Civil Action. The ruling will positively impact military dependents with autism who have basic TRICARE coverage and allow equal treatment for the autistic children of retired veterans as offered to active duty personnel.

Judge Walton's ruling explained the effectivness of ABA Therapy for autism treatment. The conclusion of the judgment report had this important ruling: 

Because the Agency's denial of ABA therapy coverage under the Basic Program is arbitrary and capricious, the Agency must therefore be enjoined from denying qualified beneficiaries coverage on the ground that ABA Therapy is not a covered benefit under the TRICARE Basic Program. Thus, the Court will remand the case back to the Agency with instructions that ABA therapy coverage be provided to Basic Program beneficiaries who otherwise qualify for reimbursement and such reimbursement be provided in compliance with the applicable TRICARE guidelines for the expenses incurred by qualified beneficiaries to acquire ABA therapy for their children. Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons, the plantiffs' motion for summary judgment is granted and the defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment is denied (Source-The entire 66 page ruling can be read at this link).

To learn more about how this judgment impacts military families with autism read the news coverage at the following websites.

• Operation Autism: A Resource Guide for Military Families
• Air Force Times.

For more information about Judge Reggie B. Walton and his other judicial accomplishments besides this autism case visit his Wikipedia page or his official District Judge page.

On this Veteran's Day we salute Judge Walton for giving a ruling that will directly help military families with autism. His ruling may also establish a precedence for future victories regarding insurance coverage of ABA treatment. Thanks to The Honorable Reggie B. Walton the door has been opened and the future appears brighter for military families and veterans who have children with autism that need ABA treatment.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

The photo of Judge Walton is in the Public Domain.

Marian DeMyer

Autism Light #216 is Dr. Marian K. DeMyer.

Marian K. DeMyer was born on October 30, 1922 in Greensburg, Indiana. She died on July 15, 2012. She was a pioneer autism researcher and professor emeritus at Indiana University.  Marian K. DeMyer is an Autism Light because of the impact her efforts had to autism research and therapy. She is being named an Autism Light posthumously and will be added to the Autism Light Memorial Roll.

Marian DeMyer's obituary at Legacy.com shares this about her contribution to autism research:

Dr. DeMyer was a research pioneer in Childhood Schizophrenia, later known as Autism. Her research at LaRue Carter Hospital and the Institute of Psychiatric Research at Indiana University provided the ground work for later research by others that identified and defined the spectrum of Autism (Source).

Marian DeMyer is regarded as a pioneer in the use of Applied Behavioral Analysis to work with individuals with autism. The Autism Research Institute tweeted this message about Marian DeMyer's influence on ABA therapy on their Twitter Account in November 2, 2011.

Did you know? Marian DeMyer and Charles Ferster pioneered the use of behavioral strategies with individuals on the spectrum.
— Autism Research Inst (@TreatingASD) November 2, 2011

For more information on ABA read the Autism Light Spotlight #1 on ABA.

Literature: Marian K. DeMyer was a prolific writer of her autism research. The following are some important publications of hers.

• A Comparison of Five Diagnostic Systems: In 1971, Dr. Marian K. DeMyer published an article called A Comparison of Five Systems for Childhood Schizophrenia and Infantile Autism. 
• Parents and Children with Autism: In 1979, Dr. Marian K. DeMyer wote the book Parents and Children with Autism. This was one of the first books for families facing autism.
• Infantile Autism Reviewed: A Decade of Research: In 1981, Dr. Marian K. DeMeyer published an article on A Decade of Research on Autism. The article has been referenced by many other subsequent researchers.

Conversation with Autism Pioneer: Marian DeMyer is mentioned on page 155 in the chapter on the 1970's in Adam Feinstein's important work called A History of Autism: Conversations with the Pioneers. Her 1974 study is mentioned where her research found, "a profound language dysfunction in every autistic child. This language dysfunction was manifest in symbolic aspects, even if the mechanics of speech were present (Source)."


An obituary of Dr. Marian K. DeMyer is available at Legacy.com.  Our thoughts are extended to the family of Marian DeMyer. It is hoped that this tribute to her work will encourage other people to dedicate their life to autism research.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Molly Pinney

Autism Light #197 is Molly Pinney.

Molly Pinney is a global shining light for autism. She is an ABA therapist in her early 30's who works with children with autism and should be on the list of amazing advocates for autism under age 40 (if there was one). She is also the Founder and CEO of the Global Autism Project and is having an influence on autism around the world.  Molly Pinney is an Autism Light because she knows no borders in her efforts to provide partnerships and communications for the cause of autism.

Molly Pinney founded the Global Autism Project in 2003 while living in Ghana and seeing the profound need for autism education. In Ghana she became known as "the lady who knew what autism was." The Global Autism Project is a 501c3 organization based in New York and has programs in the United States, Ghana, Kenya, India, and Peru. The mission of the Global Autism Project is to foster "a world where people with autism have access to services that enable them to reach their potential (Source)."  In order to help fund the efforts in 2005 she started the organization's signature fundraiser called "Paddles for Autism Awareness." You can read the full story of how Molly Pinney was led to start the Global Autism Project at this link.

Molly Pinney received her B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Neuroscience form Columbia University in 2009. She is a member of several professional associations focusing on autism and behavioral analysis, and serves on the advisory board of the Alzheimer's Action Foundation and City Year New York.

Social Media: You can follow the work of Molly Pinney and the Global Autism Project at the following social media areas.

• Facebook
• Twitter @GlobalAutism

Special thanks to Molly Pinney for being an Autism Light and working so hard to help those with autism around the world. The autism community in Ghana, Peru, India, Kenya, and the United States is blessed by your efforts. In fact, this post holds the distinction of the most international labels of any post on the Autism Light blog to date.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Photo: The photo in this post is used with permission of Ariana Riccio, from the Global Autism Project. 

Joan Lenard

Autism Light #174 is The Honorable Joan Lenard.

The Honorable Joan Lenard is a United States Judge on the United District Court for the Southern District Court of Florida. Judge Lenard was appointed to the court by President William Clinton in 1995. On March 23, 2012, Judge Joan Lenard issued a ruling in the case of K.G. vs. Dudek. Her ruling in effect required the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to cover ABA therapy for children in the Medicaid program, when prescribed appropriately by medical personnel for children with autism. The Honorable Joan Lenard is an Autism Light for handing down this ruling that will benefit potentially 8,000 children with autism in Florida.

Judge Lenard said of this case regarding ABA therapy and Medicaid coverage, "This case, if not the most important, is one of the most important cases that I have ever heard (Source)." The Honorable Judge Joan Lenard is in the process of creating a formal opinion, but she issued the ruling in order to have an immediate effect on its implications for children needing ABA therapy. The ruling was praised by Autism Speaks.

In making her ruling, Judge Lenard said:

Plaintiffs have established through their expert witnesses that there exists in the scientific and medical peer-reviewed literature a plethora of meta-analyses, studies and articles that clearly establish ABA as an effective and significant treatment to prevent disability and to restore children to their best possible functional level and restore their developmental skills (Source).

For more information on ABA therapy at the Autism Light blog you may wish to read Spotlight #1 on ABA Therapy or to search for all posts with the label ABA in them.

Other Articles: Here are some news articles on this ruling.

• Federal Judge Rules Medicaid Must Cover ABA (Autism Speaks) 
• Judge Orders Medicaid to Cover Autism Treatment (Associated Press via Miami Herald)
• US Federal Judge: ABA Proven and Highly Effective Treatment of Children with Autism (Autism in New Brunswick Blog) 

For more information on The Honorable Joan Lenard visit these biographical webpages about her.

• Federal Judicial Center
• Florida Bar
• Judgepedia
• Wikipedia Page

Special thanks to The Honorable Joan Lenard for making this ruling to benefit children with autism. She becomes the first judge to be recognized on Autism Light. Some judical rulings are appealed and overturned by a higher court, but others set a precedence that have far reaching implications for other jurisdictions. We hope the later is the case in this ruling that is a bright light for autism.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism. 

Fred and Aly Harmon

Autism Lights #141 are Fred and Aly Harmon.

Thousands of thrift stores dot the landscape of both rural and urban cities across the world. They are a treasure for hearts that can find a second life for someone else's discarded goods, and they are a retail lifeline to those who are struggling to get by on a tight budget. Today's Autism Lights have started a thrift store that is all that and a business that can be a treasure and lifeline to those facing autism.

Today's Autism Light journey takes us to Amarillo, Texas, the home of Fred and Aly Harmon. Fred and Ally are the parents of 7 year old twin boys with autism named William and Luke. Fred Harmon is a police officer and army reservist and Aly manages the Lil' Treasures Shoppe, a thrift store in Amarillo, Texas.  The thrift store is much more than a family business to support the high cost of autism treatments. The Harmon's have focused on giving back to others in setting up the store to be a resource for the autism community. Fred and Aly Harmon are Autism Lights because of the way they are shining a light for autism in their family and community.

Thrift Store: The Lil' Treasures Thrift Store opened on October 1, 2011 and is located at 4021 S. Washington Street in Amarillo, Texas. A sign in the Lil' Treasures Thrift Store says, "Autism is not a sickness. It is not a illness. We just see the world differently."  Aly Harmon wrote this to Autism Light about her goals for the store in 2012:

I'm hoping that by the end of this year, our store will not only be a thrift store helping families purchase items at great prices, but a hub for families affected by autism to come and meet other parents, spouses, and children in their shoes. We want to be a resource for families who may have a new diagnosis or just have questions about it. We want to be a place for all levels of families to meet others and gain a better grasp of what Autism is for them. I hope to be able to employ teens and adults with Autism to learn basic work skills or simply feel like they belong.

Another service they are providing through the store for the autism community is they are creating safety kits for parents and grandparents to use on overnight visits that they plan to distribute.

Texas Panhandle Center: William and Luke have been receiving ABA therapy at the Texas Panhandle Center in Amarilla for the past two years. Here is a YouTube video about the story of Fred and Aly Harmon's family as they journey with autism.

Aly Harmon shared with Autism Light this advice to other parents of children with autism:

My advice or piece of wisdom for other parents, is to find Your Own Peace with Your Autism. We are at Peace with it. We are not trying to get rid of it, it is who the twins are and we love them for it. We work to teach them to be independent, social, and educated, but every day they remind me they are so perfect the way they are. They are brilliant, loving, and funny little boys. 

For more information on Fred and Aly Harmon read an article by John Mark Beilue of the Amarillo Globe-News. Special thanks to Fred and Aly Harmon for being Autism Lights that shine brightly through the entire outreach of the Lil' Treasures Thrift Store and a dedication to their twin sons with autism.  You are an inspiration to other parents struggling with autism of what can be built from a dream.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Special Learning

Autism Light #123 is Special Learning.

Special Learning, Inc. is a company offering ABA resources and other support for parents, providers, and educators of children with autism. Special Learning was founded in 2010 by Karen Chung and Michelle LaMarche. They are based in Chicago, Illinois, but their services are primarily through online resources. Special Learning is an Autism Light because they are helping to improve the life and learning of children with autism.

The Special Learning website can be found at www.special-learning.com.  Their website summarizes their work as being "The comprehensive autism solutions company."  The Special Learning Twitter page says they are "a resource portal and web-based solutions provider for parents with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder."

The following is an App that Special Learning created to serve as a Augmentative and Alternative Communicative Device for the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. It's called Communicating Basic Needs. There is a Lite Version of the App that is Free and the "Full" version costs less than $40.00. It may be purchased from iTunes.

The mission of Special Learning and their website portal is to "offer every parent of a child with Autism a genuine chance to help their son or daughter to attain a fulfilling life using Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy. This site provides extensive information, resources and tools for anyone who works with or whose life is touched by a child with ASD (Source)."

Special Learning states that they, "have the most expansive and user friendly library of autism, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and education information available online." The Special Learning website includes resources that are sorted by three main target audiences--parents, providers, and educators of children with autism.

Special Learning has a goal to make their resources accessible to the autism community. Some potentially helpful resources (especially related to ABA) are for sale in their Store, and other general resources and videos on their web portal are in a Resource Center that one can appreciate for free.

Social Media: You can follow Special Learning at these social media areas.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Special thanks to Special Learning for being a light where people who work with those impacted by autism can find access to resources. The web portal makes the resources accessible around the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.


Photo: The logo in this post is used with the permission of Special Learning. 

Laura Cook

Autism Light #121 is Laura Cook.

Laura Cook is the founder and CEO/President of the Pacific Autism Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Laura Cook's son Zachary has autism. Laura Cook is an Autism Light for creating a place for children with autism to receive ABA treatment in Hawaii and for her autism advocacy in Hawaii.

Laura Cook has been blessed that after 5 years of intensive ABA treatment her son Zachary is now 12 and is mainstreamed. Read the rest of her story at this link.

The Pacific Autism Center was founded in 2004 by Laura Cook to help children with autism learn functional languages. ABA is used at the 5,000 square foot facility. The mission and motto of the Pacific Autism Center is provided on their website. The motto is "Helping Children reach their full potential...one child at a time."

The mission of the Pacific Autism Center is to use ABA and be a foundation to those individuals (and their families) within the autism spectrum, and to also provide high quality researched based services that support the individual in all areas of their life. Pacific Autism Center is recognized as a leader in the field of serving special needs children in the Hawaiian islands and beyond (Source).

One can also find external links to resources on ABA at the Pacific Autism Center website.

Laura Cook is the co-founder of the Hawaii Autism Resource Team (HART).  HART started in 2006 and according to their website provides these three main services (Source).

• Help in obtaining quality ABA services.
• Education to parents, providers and the community.
• Legal support to attorneys and to parents needing legal support.

Awards: Laura Cook was presented an advocacy award from the Hawaii Chapter of Cure Autism Now on May 31, 2006 (Source).  "Cure Autism Now" merged with Autism Speaks.

For more information on Laura Cook and the Pacific Autism Center you can read these online news stories.

• Road to Recovery
• Hawaii's Autism Epidemic
• Sons' Disorder Gives Her New Reason to Run

Social Media: Friends can follow Laura Cook and Pacific Autism Center at the following social media areas.

• Facebook - Laura Cook
• Facebook - Pacific Autism Center

Special thanks to Laura Cook for being a light for autism in Hawaii. Your efforts are appreciated.

If you enjoyed this post then you may wish to read our Spotlight on ABA post. There are several other Autism Lights who are spreading light through ABA.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Smita Awasthi

Autism Light #117 is Smita Awasthi.

Smita Awasthi is from New Mumbai, India. Smita Awasthi is the first Board Certified Behavioral Analyst in India. Smita Awasthi is an Autism Light because of her advocacy to bring ABA treatment to people with autism to the country of India.

Smita Awasthi is a pioneer of ABA in India. She has been an advocate for ABA in India and also is involved in providing training opportunities for those wishing to start ABA in India. According to the Behavior Momentum website, "She is a Full Member of the Association of Behavior Analysis U.S.A." and she is "A peer reviewer on the editorial board of the Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis."

Smita Awasthi is currently a PhD student at Queen's University in Belfast. She is studying for her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis.

ABA India: Smita Awasthi is the founder and President of ABA India. ABA India is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of ABA in various areas of Indian society. The ABA India website is at http://aba-india.org/.

Behavior Momentum: Smita Awasthi is also the Chairman and Chief Consultant for Behavior Momentum in India. Behavior Momentum is located in Bengaluru, which is also known as Bengalore, India. Behavior Momentum advances ABA treatment through three locations in India, including Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi. To find out more about Smita Awasthi's biography visit this website at Behavior Momentum.com.

QUART Conference: Smita Awasthi was the keynote speaker at the QUART Conference in November, 2011. The QUART Conference focuses on current research related to autism and is hosted by Queens University.  The QUART Conference describes Smita Awasthi as "an internationally recognized autism expert, therapist, and staff trainer."

Social Media: You can connect with Smita Awasthi and her work at the following social media areas.

• LinkedIn
• Facebook (Behavior Momentum)

Special thanks to Smita Awasthi for being an Autism Light through dedication to the area of ABA in India. For more information on the treatment of ABA therapy at Autism Light you may wish to read the Spotlight Feature that was done on ABA.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.


Photo: The photo in this post is used with the permission of Behavior Momentum.

Spotlight on ABA

Spotlight #1 is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

The area of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has its origin from the work of B.F. Skinner in the 1930's. ABA works on the principles that the environment can influence actions. A practical technique is rewards can encourage a particular behavior being repeated. ABA is an Autism Light Spotlight because of how it is making a difference in the lives of people with autism.

The following is a video featuring case studies of success in ABA treatment that was produced by The Pennsylvania Department of Education as part of the PaTTAN Autism Initiative.

Autism Speaks has an excellent article on their website of how ABA relates to autism. You can find it at www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied-behavior-analysis-aba.

ABA therapy has been proven to be a helpful treatment for many people with autism. Behavior Consulting of Tampa Bay has an excellent online article showing research on the effectiveness of ABA at www.bcotb.com/research.php. 

The following Autism Lights have or are making contributions to ABA.  You can view their post by clicking on the link attached to their name.

• Smita Awasthi is the first Board Certified Behavioral Analyst in India. She is President of Behavior Momentum in India. She was Autism Light #117.
• Dr. Vince Carbone is a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and is the Director of the Carbone Clinic in New York. He was Autism Light #5. 
• Laura Cook is the President of the Pacific Autism Center which uses ABA. She is Autism Light #121.
• Ann D. Eldridge is a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and President and Clinical Services Director of the South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc. She was Autism Light #72.
• Barry and Judith Nelson are co-founders of the Victory School for Autism and Behavioral Challenges. The school uses ABA principles. They were Autism Lights #11. 
• Special Learning, Inc. is the largest web portal for diverse ABA resources on the Internet. They were Autism Light #123. 
• Dr. Carl Sundberg is a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and Executive Director of the Behavior Analysis Center for Autism in Indiana. He was Autism Light #94. 

All posts with the ABA label attached can be viewed in chronological order by searching the blog based on the ABA label.

For more information on Applied Behavior Analsys visit their Wikipedia Page.

This spotlight topic was originally published on November 27, 2011. It will be updated as warranted.

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This post went into syndication on Autisable. 

Dr. Carl Sundberg

Autism Light #94 is Dr. Carl Sundberg.

Dr. Carl Sundberg is the Executive Director/President of the Behavior Analysis Center for Autism, which has two centers in Central Indiana.  This role involves overseeing skilled ABA therapists. Dr. Carl Sundberg is an Autism Light because of his work to help more children with autism in Central Indiana receive life changing ABA therapy.

Dr. Carl Sundberg has his Ph.D and BCBA-D.  He received his doctorate degree from Western Michigan University and was mentored by Dr. Jack Michael.  Dr. Sundberg teaches B.F. Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behavior at Ball State University and utilizes these methods in his work at teaching children with autism.

According to the BACA website,

Since 1996 Dr. Sundberg has assessed and worked with over 400 children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and has personally worked with over 200 families. In addition to private consulting Dr. Sundberg also works with school districts and has been invited to speak at conference presentations and workshops across the nation [United States]."

The following is a YouTube video of the work of the Behavior Analysis Center for Autism with an introduction by Dr. Carl Sundberg.

For more information on BACA visit their website at www.thebaca.com.

Publications: Dr. Carl Sundberg has published work in two scholary journals:

• The Analysis of Verbal Behavior
• A Collection of Reprints on Verbal Behavior

Social Media:  You can follow the work of Dr. Carl Sundberg and BACA at the following social media areas.

• Carl's Corner Blog
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Special thanks to Dr. Carl Sundberg for all the work he does to make ABA therapy available in Central Indiana to those impacted by autism. 

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

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Photo: The photo in this post used with permission.

This Autism Light post went into syndication at Autisable.

Ann Eldridge

Autism Light #72 is Ann Eldridge.

Ann D. Eldridge lives in Sumter, South Carolina. She is President and Director of Clinical Services for the South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc.  Ann Eldridge is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc.:  Ann Eldridge has served as the President of the South Carolina Early Autism Project since 2000.  The South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc. is located in Sumter, South Carolina and was founded in 1998.  The mission of the South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc. includes providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and also to equip parents and schools to utilize ABA in educational moments with children with autism.  This is accomplished through working in collaboration with the various professionals and caretakers in a child's educational support network.

Teaching Career:  For 15 years Ann Eldridge served as a special education teacher in South Carolina.  In recognition of her outstanding work with children with autism, the South Carolina Autism Society gave her the teacher of the year award in 1996.

National Speaker:  Ann Eldridge was a speaker at the Autism Insurance Implementation Workshop that featured the collaboration of Autism Speaks government relations team and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA).  The workshop was held at the first APBA national convention in April, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts.

ABA Mentor:  Ann Eldridge was mentored in ABA by the remarkable Dr. Vincent Carbone.  Dr. Vincent Carbone was designated an Autism Light on July 7, 2011.

For more information on Ann Eldridge, see her biography online at the South Carolina Early Autism Project website.  Special thanks to Ann Eldridge for leading the South Carolina Early Autism Project, Inc. and assuring that ABA treatment is available to many children in the Sumter, South Carolina area.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

Barry and Judith Nelson

Autism Lights #11 are Barry and Judith Nelson.

Barry and Judith Nelson

The Nelson's are parents of a child with autism and co-founders of The Victory Center for Autism & Behavioral Challenges, a school in South Florida.   Judith serves as Executive Director of The Victory Center.   The Victory Center was opened in June, 2000 and bases it's methodology for education of autism on the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis.

©2011 The Victory Center

The following YouTube video shows testimonials on how The Victory Center has impacted the life of students and family members.

For more information on work of The Victory Center visit their website at www.thevictoryschool.org.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.



Photo: Photo and logo in this post used with permission of The Victory Center.

Dr. Vince Carbone

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Autism Light Classic
Updated on January 5, 2014. 

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Autism Light #5 is Dr. Vince Carbone.

Dr. Vince Carbone is a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and has almost 35 years of experience in the field of autism education and Applied Behavioral Analysis.  His Carbone Clinic is located in Valley Cottage, New York. Dr. Vince Carbone is an Autism Light for how his work in Applied Behavior Analysis has helped people with autism and for how his skill in his field has helped mentor others.

Carbone Clinic:  The Carbone Clinic is a 7,500 square foot clinic located about 25 minutes from New York City.  According to their website, Dr. Clinic oversees the clinic's work in an environment which typically includes: 

• 10 instructors
• 2 classroom supervisors
• About 40 learners with autism or other disabilities

Education: Dr. Carbone completed his graduate training in ABA Therapy at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.

Consultant: Dr.Vince Carbone serves as a consultant at learning centers such as The Children's Institute (TCI) in New Jersey. Here is a video made for TCI featuring Dr. Carbone.


Teaching Positions: Dr. Carbone has taught Applied Behavior Analysis at the following educational institutions.

• Adjunct faculty member at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT)
• Adjunct faculty member at Penn State University.
• Visiting professor in the Behavioral Education doctoral program at Simmons College in Boston, MA.

National Conferences:  Dr. Vince Carbone is a frequent presenter at conferences.  At the Autism and Education Conference he said this noteworthy quote.  

Children on the autism spectrum are not learning disabled, they are teaching challenges. So, the question is not whether they can learn...the question to ask is, "Can I teach them in a way they can understand? --Dr. Vincent Carbone (2010 Autism and Education Conference)

For a PowerPoint presentation on one of Dr. Vince Carbone's talks you can view at pdf of his talk at the 2009 National Autism Conference. 

ABA Mentor:  Dr. Vince Carbone has trained many ABA practitioners in the practice of ABA therapy. People who have studied under Dr. Carbone often will provide his name in their biography because of the stellar reputation for his work.   

The following is a YouTube video of Dr. Carbone explaining some important educational steps that parents can take when they discover their child has autism.

For more information, there is a biography of Dr. Carbone at the ABA Toolchest. Special thanks to Dr. Vince Carbone for being an Autism Light. The influence that his work on ABA has had around the world has helped in the education of this particular option of autism treatment. Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.