The Children’s Trust Honoring Dr. Michael Alessandri

This is The Children’s Trust video honoring Dr. Michael Alessandri, recipient of the David Lawrence Jr. Champion for Children Award for a lifetime of achievement and dedication to children. Dr. Alessandri has worked with individuals with autism and their families for nearly 30 years. In addition to his role as executive director of the University of Miami — Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD), he leads the Division of Community Outreach and Engagement at the University of Miami, where he is a clinical professor of Psychology. Under his direction, CARD was named National Autism Program of the Year in 1999 by the Autism Society of America. Dr. Alessandri has presented, consulted and published internationally on developing appropriate and effective educational programs for students with autism spectrum disorders. He is a founding member of the Autism Society of Florida — Miami and former Co-Director of the Marino Autism Research Institute.