| Spanish Website |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
    |
 |
GRASP 2009 Honorees:
Bernard and Carolyn Hamilton,
Brenda Smith Myles, and Stephen Shore
Dr. Bernie Hamilton and Carolyn Hamilton, M.H., M.L.S. live in Beverly Hills California where they are active in the Jail Choir from St Agatha’s Catholic Church and Carolyn is a volunteer tutor in the Pro-Literacy Program at the local library, teaching reading to people for whom English is a second Language. Previously Carolyn was a teacher in Los Angeles, opened two new public libraries in New Jersey and was a school librarian in Miami. She was also the senior partner in raising their three children, managing the household and eight moves and providing vital skills and support to enable Bernie to pursue his career. Carolyn attended St Mary’s College in Indiana, received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Mount St Mary’s College in Los Angeles, her Master’s Degree in History and Teaching Credential from UCLA and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Rutgers University.
Bernie Hamilton was Senior Vice-President and General Auditor for American Express Company from 1992 until his retirement in 1998. Previously he was Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff of American Express Travel Related Services Company. Earlier, as the President, Latin American and Caribbean Division of the Company, Bernie built a new business unit including creating joint ventures in Brazil and Argentina. After retiring from American Express, he was an Advisor to two startup internet companies and a Director of Cross Match Technologies, Inc. He currently is Chairman of the Board of Community Enhancement Corporation, a not for profit organization, and advisor to two businesses Saftpay,Inc. and Digital EFT Solutions LLC. both in the electronic payments industry.
Bernie has a Ph.D. in business administration and an MBA in production management from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Notre Dame. He served as Captain in the US Army where he received the Legion of Merit award. Growing up in Cuba, he is fluent in Spanish.
*************************
Brenda Smith Myles Ph.D., a consultant with the Ziggurat Group and Chief Program Officer for the Autism Society of America, is the recipient of the 2004 Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Professional Award and the 2006 Princeton Fellowship Award. She has written numerous articles and books on Asperger Syndrome and autism including Asperger Syndrome and Difficult Moments: Practical Solutions for Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns (with Southwick) and Asperger Syndrome and Adolescence: Practical Solutions for School Success (with Adreon). The latter is the winner of the Autism Society of America’s Outstanding Literary Work. Brenda has made over 500 presentations all over the world, written more than 150 articles and books on autism and Asperger Syndrome, and served as the co-chair of the National ASD Teacher Standards Committee. She is on the National Institute of Mental Health’s Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee’s Strategic Planning Consortium and the Autism Society of America’s Panel of Professional Advisors. Myles is also on the executive boards of several organizations, including the Organization for Autism Research and Maap Services, Inc. In addition, she was recently acknowledged as the second most productive applied researcher in ASD in the world from 1997 to 2004.
*************************
Dr. Stephen Shore: Diagnosed with "Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies" and "too sick" for outpatient treatment Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Nonverbal until four, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen research focuses on matching best practice to the needs of people with autism and he is now a professor at Adelphi University.
In addition to working with children and talking about life on the autism spectrum, Stephen presents and consults internationally on adult issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure as discussed in his books Beyond the Wall: Personal Experiences with Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Ask and Tell: Self-advocacy and Disclosure for People on the Autism Spectrum, and the critically acclaimed Understanding Autism for Dummies.
Dr. Shore serves in the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, and for the Board of Directors for Autism Society of America Unlocking Autism, and other autism related organizations.