CARD Executive Director Appointed to Regional Task Force on Autism

Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh co-chairs the North Los Angeles County workgroup which focuses on early autism intervention issues.

Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD. BCBA-D, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), one of the world’s largest organizations effectively treating children with autism, has been appointed to the North Los Angeles County Regional Task Force (NLAART) of the California Senate Select Committee on Autism & Related Disorders. Dr. Granpeesheh will serve as Co-Chair of NLAART’s Early Intervention Work Group. She is joined by co-chair Margaret Dunkle and Elizabeth Laugeson, Psy D., Chair and Moderator.

“I commend the California State Senators for establishing this group of experts and advocates to analyze the best practices in early intervention treatments for autism and find solutions to disseminating this treatment to the States growing population in need,” says Granpeesheh. “I am honored to be a part of this committee working to make a change in the autism community.”

The Task Force will develop legislation recommendations and community outreach programs to educate and bring awareness to this important subject. Parents, providers, non-profit agency leaders and others were invited to participate in the 80-member group.

The NLAART is one of several committees formed across the state. Each committee is tasked with developing recommendations for addressing five key areas of autism: Housing, Insurance, Training and Employment (High Functioning & Asperger's), Training and Employment (Full Spectrum Autism), and Early Identification & Intervention.

Senator Carol Liu (D-Pasadena), Senator Alex Padilla (D- Pacoima), and Senator Fran Pavley (D- Agoura Hills) lead the NLAART task force and will represent the group’s interest to the greater California Senate Select Committee on Autism & Related Disorders next year.

About Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D:
Dr. Granpeesheh has dedicated thirty years to helping individuals with autism lead healthy, productive lives.

Dr. Granpeesheh is licensed by the Medical Board of California, the Texas and Arizona State Boards of Psychologists, and the Dubai Healthcare City Board of Psychologists. She earned a Certificate of Professional Qualification in Psychology from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

She is an active member of many boards whose mission is to advance the treatment of autism. She is on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the US Autism and Asperger's Association, the Autism File Magazine, Autism 360 and the 4-A Healing Foundation. Dr. Granpeesheh is also on the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of America, a member of the Autism Human Rights and Discrimination Initiative steering committee and the oversight committee of the Department of Developmental Disabilities for the State of Arizona. She is the founding member and President of Autism Care and Treatment (ACT Today!), a non‐profit organization that helps families’ access effective treatments. Dr. Granpeesheh founded the Center for Autism & Related Disorders (CARD) in 1990.

Dr. Granpeesheh is known throughout the world as an expert in the field of autism research and treatment. Specific areas of expertise and research include curriculum development from early intervention through the early stages of adulthood, diagnostic, developmental and behavioral assessment, higher order skill acquisition, long‐term outcomes, and the effects of medical interventions in conjunction with behavioral programs. She has trained thousands of professionals and families on her treatment techniques and curriculum, leading to a faster dissemination of quality treatment information.

Through her active participation and direction in research, curriculum development and treatment, Dr. Granpeesheh has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis intervention. She has not only helped tens of thousands of families, but has successfully helped many children and young adults attain their highest potential, giving further merit to the notion that autism is treatable and that affected individuals can lead independent, meaningful lives.

About the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD):
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) maintains a reputation as one of the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and related disorders. Following the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), CARD develops individualized treatment plans for each child.

CARD provides both US regional and remote services around the globe through its 19 satellite sites in California (11 sites), New York (2 sites), Virginia, Illinois, Texas, Arizona, Australia, and New Zealand as well as its franchise clinics in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. With a mission to increase access to the most effective treatments, CARD has developed strong working relationships with parent organizations, schools and government agencies all over the world, including the Middle East, Europe, and Hawaii.

For more information about CARD, visit http://www.centerforautism.com/.