CARD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Case Manager
- Manager of Family and Support Services
Alexandra Cacciamani is a case manager of family and support services at the University of Miami - Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Prior to working at CARD, Alexandra was a case manager at Early Steps Southernmost Coast for over three years. Alexandra has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood...
Job Titles:
- Clinical Research Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Program Director, Social Services / Co - Director, ASAC
Amy L Beaumont, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who, together with Dr. Parladé, serves as the Co-Director of ASAC. She is also a Clinical Supervisor in UM's Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment Program (CAMAT) and Psychological Services Center (PSC). Dr. Beaumont received her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova...
Job Titles:
- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Professor of Speech - Language Pathology
Dr. Zangari has been a professor of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) at Nova Southeastern University since 1994. She joined the NSU CARD Satellite in 2014 and currently serves as its Executive Director. Dr. Zangari earned her master's degree in SLP from the College of New Jersey and her doctoral degree in Special Education from Purdue University. She is involved in the Language Links group with Lori Wise and runs the CARD Communication and Autism Network for SLPs who work with nonverbal or minimally verbal individuals with autism and related disabilities. Her primary area of expertise is in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the development of literacy skills in individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities. She blogs at www.PrAACticalAAC.org.
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Social Services
Cecilia Alvarez-Tabío is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and serves as Manager of the Division of Assessment and Intervention Services and Training Coordinator at UM-NSU CARD. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Psychology and received her BCBA certification in 2010. Cecilia has been working...
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Manager for the UM - NSU Center for Autism
Dahriana Correa is a case manager for the UM-NSU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD). Prior to working at CARD, Dahriana was a behavior therapist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the community. Dahriana obtained her master's degree in applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Miami and is a...
Job Titles:
- Director of the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition & Adult Programs at UM - NSU
- Manager, Research Support / DIVISION DIRECTOR, TRANSITION and ADULT SERVICES
Dr. Adreon is Director of the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition & Adult Programs at UM-NSU CARD. She has been with UM-NSU CARD since its inception in 1993 and has worked with individuals with autism spectrum disorder & related disabilities for the past 40 years. She received her doctorate in special education from Nova...
Job Titles:
- Associate Director at the University of Miami - Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism
- Research Assoc. Professor / Division Director, Behavioral Consultation and Outreach Services
Dr. Anibal Gutierrez is an Associate Director at the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) and Research Associate Professor at the University of Miami. He is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with experience in the assessment and treatment of problem behavior and in the...
Job Titles:
- Post - Doctoral Associate
Dr. Janelle Bacotti is a Post-Doctoral Associate in the Department of Psychology and Center for Autism and Related Disabilities - Applied Research and Behavioral Training Division at the University of Miami. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Florida, master's degree at the University of South Florida, and...
Job Titles:
- Director
- ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY / DIRECTOR
Dr. Jennifer Durocher is the Director CARD. She has worked with individuals with autism and their families since 1992. She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Miami, where she obtained both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Durocher is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics at the University of Miami.
Her clinical and research interests include improving the early detection of ASD and understanding how individual differences in ASD can be used to design and evaluate more effective interventions. Dr. Durocher has published and presented locally and nationally on topics related to assessment and intervention in autism. In addition, she has received several community services awards, including the CARD Founder's Award (2010), the Tropical Nights Community Leadership Award (2017), and the In the Company of Women Award in the Education & Research category (2023). For more information about Dr. Durocher please click here.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- PROFESSOR of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / ASSISTANT CHAIR, COMMUNITY OUTREACH and ENGAGEMENT
Dr. Michael Alessandri is the Executive Director of the CARD. Dr. Alessandri has worked with individuals with autism and their families since 1981 in various capacities. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Rochester and obtained his MS and Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University. Dr. Alessandri is also a Clinical Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics and serves as the Department of Psychology's Assistant Chairman for Community Outreach and Engagement.
Dr. Alessandri has received numerous community service awards, including the Autism Society of America's Wendy F. Miller Autism Professional of the Year Award and National Autism Program of the Year for CARD. He is also the recipient of the March of Dimes Community Excellence in Health Care Award (2007), the Health Services Coalition Outstanding Community Leader Award (2009), and the Parent to Parent Excellence in Family Advocacy Award (2010). Dr. Alessandri was also named one of the Ronald McDonald House's 12 Good Men (2008) and the Dewar's 12 Man of Distinction (2007). In 2012, he was selected by the Children's Trust as the David Lawrence Champion for Children, one of South Florida's highest honors for community service. In 2016, Dr. Alessandri was named the Visionary Leader of the Year by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; and in 2017, he was recognized by the Dade County Bar Association with the Fostering Inclusion and Diversity Award. For more information about Dr. Alessandri please click here.
Job Titles:
- Research Associate Professor
Dr. Yanerys León is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology of the University of Miami and Director of Applied Research and Behavioral Training at UM-NSU CARD. Dr. Leon was named the 2021 recipient of the BF Skinner Foundation Applied New Researcher award presented by Division 25 of the American Psychological...
Gabriela Day, B.A. is ASAC's receptionist. She received her bachelor's in psychology from Florida International University. She has 10 years of hospitality and customer service experience, with certifications in Social Media and Human Resources Management. She is thrilled to be a part of the team and is looking forward to...
Job Titles:
- Program Coordinator, Social Services
Job Titles:
- Manager in the Behavioral Consultation & Outreach Services Team at UM - NSU
- Program Manager, Social Services ( H )
Ivan Deveaux is a manager in the behavioral consultation & outreach services team at UM-NSU CARD. Prior to working at UM-NSU CARD, Ivan worked as a behavior therapist, special education teacher and provided assistance in supported employment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, he has a master's in psychology...
Jacquelyn Moultrie received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Florida International University in 2015 with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis. Jacquelyn has been passionate about working with families, children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other related disorders since 2013. She has experience with utilization management...
Jennifer Feinstein, MSW is a Case Manager in The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs at UM-NSU CARD. Jennifer has a Master's degree in Social Work from Barry University and a BA in Psychology from University of Virginia. Her focus at CARD is employment of adults with autism--she works with individuals, local...
Job Titles:
- Program Manager, Social Services
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Clinical and Educational Services
Lori is the Coordinator of Clinical and Educational Services at CARD. She holds Florida teaching certificates in the areas of Special Education and Reading.
Job Titles:
- CLINICAL SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR
Maria completed her B.A. in Exceptional Student Education at Miami-Dade College in 2007 and her M.S. in Elementary Special Education from Florida International University in 2011. She worked as a Special Education Teacher in MDCPS for 15 years. Most recently, she earned her Ed.S. in Special Education in 2022 from FIU and is currently a Doctoral Candidate, focusing her research on autism spectrum disorders.
Job Titles:
- Asst. Professor of Clinical Psychology / Division Director, Assessment and Intervention Services / Co - Director, Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic ( ASAC )
- Co - Director of ASAC
Meaghan V. Parladé, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology and Pediatrics. She serves as the Co-Director of the Autism Spectrum Assessment Clinic (ASAC) and Division Director of Assessment and Intervention Services at the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and...
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor of Clinical / Division Director, Child and Family Services
- Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychology
Dr. Melissa Hale is an Clinical Assistant Professor in Psychology. Her primary clinical and research interests focus on the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. She serves as an Associate Director for UM-NSU CARD and she teaches graduate coursework in the Applied Behavior Analysis master's program.
Job Titles:
- DIRECTOR
- Director of the NSU Satellite Office
Mr. Luis Grana is the Director of the NSU Satellite Office. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and his M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. He has worked with individuals with ASD and their families for over 20 years in various capacities. Mr. Grana has held several different positions at CARD for 16 years. He currently runs the Family Support group at the Nova CARD office.
Job Titles:
- Manager of the Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs at University of Miami - Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism
- Program Manager, Social Services ( H )
Nathalie Stanish is the Manager of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Transition and Adult Programs at University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD). She has a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Miami. Nathalie provides support, guidance,...
Niza Alejandra Tonarely Asst. Professor of Clinical Psychology nat19@miami.edu Log in to view address Read More >
Sandra Cardona, Psy.D. is a bilingual licensed psychologist and clinical supervisor at ASAC. She obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University and then completed a post-doctoral residency at Nova Southeastern University's Mailman Segal Center, specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders and other...
Job Titles:
- Manager of the Education and Family Support Services at the University of Miami - Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism
- Program Manager, Social Services
Sara Dajer is the Manager of the Education and Family Support Services at the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Sara has a Master's Degree in Exceptional Student Education. Prior to working at CARD, Sara was special education teacher in a self-contained classroom for over...
Sofia Rodriguez is a sophomore at Nova Southeastern University and is a part of the Razors Edge Shark Teach program, aspiring to be a Speech-Language Pathologist. She enjoys learning, growing, and connecting with diverse populations. She has previous experience volunteering in various settings that support individuals with autism spectrum disorder. She envisions working with pediatric patients, particularly in the areas of AAC, dysphasia, and bilingualism.
Job Titles:
- Case Manager
- Manager of the Education and Family Support Services
Stephanie Garcia-Delgado is a case manager of the education and family support services at the University of Miami- Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. Stephanie has a master's degree in Counseling with a concentration in Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to...
Job Titles:
- CLINICAL SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR
Susan graduated from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey where she completed her B.S. in Psychology in 2010. She continued her education at Nova Southeastern University where she graduated summa cum laude in 2013 with an M.S. in Developmental Disabilities and a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Job Titles:
- Communications Specialist
Vivian M. Perez has been with the University of Miami Department of Psychology for more than 33 years. Mrs. Perez has worked on numerous projects creating media through design of web content and promotional materials used for presentations, marketing, and digital communications.