Pittsburgh LEND and ATN Collaboration

April 7, 2017

The Pittsburgh LEND Program welcomed Dr. Valerie Paradiz, national board member of Autism Speaks in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Autism Treatment Network on February 22, 2017.

Dr. Paradiz is the director of a consultancy that provides technical assistance, training and strategic development to organizations and institutions that support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities. Dr. Paradiz is the founder of the ASPIE School for middle and high school students with autism. She met with the Pittsburgh LEND leadership, Family and Self-Advocate Trainees. Dr. Paradiz also gave a community presentation about her involvement in research for individuals with ASD co-sponsored by the Merck Family Advisory Committee and the Pittsburgh LEND. She provided a unique perspective about how families play a vital role in research in autism and examples of evidence-based and multidisciplinary approaches to supporting and treating autism.

This joint event is the second Pittsburgh LEND-ATN collaboration this year to provide community-based and family-centered education about ASD.