By Ruth Donlin, MS, ASAT Board Member
The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) is excited to be participating again this year in the NYC marathon. Team ASAT has been busy training and prepa ring for this marathon, which is on November 2, 2014.
The goal and mission of (ASAT) is to educate consumers by disseminating information about evidence-based treatments for the Autism Spectrum Disorders. There are hundreds of treatments offered leaving consumers overwhelmed from not knowing the difference between unproven interventions versus science-based research that guides effective intervention.
Team ASAT currently needs two more runners to complete our team. If you are interested, please contact Ruth Donlin at email or send this information to those you think may be interested!
Team ASAT consists of Bobby Newman as the returning team captain, and new runners, Leif Albright, Kaseedee Jermain, and Laurie Wennerholm. In addition, we have Alex and Jamie Schneider, diagnosed with autism, who ran for ASAT in last year’s NYC Marathon. ASAT is proud of our team and hope you will consider supporting our runners by reviewing their biographies and Crowdrise links, where individual donations can be made.
Bobby Newman serves as Team ASAT’s honorary captain and has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 25 years. His books are popular introductions to ABA and the Autism Spectrum Disorders. This is Bobby’s 15th marathon and third NYC marathon, following in the footsteps of his marathoner father, Leo Newman.
Leif Albright, MA, BCBA has been working with an array of learners using the principles of applied behavior analysis since 1995. Mr. Albright began working with individuals with autism while at Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center where his professional experience included classroom instructor, homeschool consultant, and program coordinator. Since 2004 Mr. Albright has worked as an independent consultant to numerous public and private school-based programs across the tri-state area to learners with a variety of developmental and intellectual disabilities. He is currently working towards a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis at Caldwell University. The only other area to rival his passion in ABA is running. The 2014 New York Marathon will mark Leif’s third marathon, as well as the completion of one more item from his bucket list. The Association for Science in Autism Treatment is an organization that Leif’s entire family has supported for years. There is no greater honor than to be able to run for this organization. You can support Leif and contribute to his Crowdrise page at www.crowdrise.com/ASAT2014NYCMarathon/fundraiser/leifalbright
Kaseedee Jermain is a mom, runner, athlete and more. She is a Certified Personal Trainer/Pilates Instructor who specializes in weight loss and fitness nutrition. After losing over 130 lbs she decided to see what her body was capable of. She began running and quickly fell in love. She has completed one marathon and multiple half marathons and 5K’s. She is excited to run the NYC Marathon for such an amazing cause!! Kaseedee decided to run with Team ASAT with the inspiration of two amazing little boys, Brian and Krason, both of whom are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and have amazing inspiring families! She is honored to be running for both boys and cannot wait to spread awareness and raise funds for ASAT! Help Kaseedee reach her goal at www.crowdrise.com/ASAT2014NYCMarathon/fundraiser/kaseedeejermain
Alex and Jamie Schneider are 24 year old identical twins. Each is profoundly autistic with limited communication skills or understanding of safety in the community. However, both are accomplished runners and love to run! Both young men have completed seven marathons to date, including three Boston Marathons, two Hamptons Marathons, one Marine Corp Marathon and last year’s New York City Marathon. This year’s NYC Marathon will be their eighth; and once again, they will proudly be running to raise funds for ASAT. Alex in particular has an incredible gift of speed when he races; his personal record was last year’s NYC Marathon where he crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 14 minutes sand 36 seconds. Alex and Jamie are not able to run alone. They will be running with guides whose sole responsibilities are to set the pace, help the boys navigate the course and hydrate when needed. If not for the altruism of the running guides, the Schneider twins would not be able to compete in these races. Last November, ABC’s “Good Morning America” was so inspired by the Schneider twins, that they interviewed the family, filmed the boys in training, and aired two exclusive video clips about them which can be viewed on ASAT’s home webpage! Help support these inspiring young men at www.crowdrise.com/ASAT2014NYCMarathon/fundraiser/alexandjamieschneider and contribute to their efforts for ASAT.
Laurie Wennerholm, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S has been running for over 10 years and is a clinician/researcher who believes that the quality of research studies is critical. She has chosen to run for ASAT because of its commitment to quality research and for personal reasons. She has a nephew, Nicholas Lombardo now age 19, who has autism and inspires her every day. He has battled each and every day of his life to deal with things that a person without autism is incapable of understanding. He, with the amazing support of his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles as well as cousins and friends, has made great strides in his ability to communicate, care for himself and connect with those around him. You’re your support for Laurie at www.crowdrise.com/ASAT2014NYCMarathon/fundraiser/lauriewennerholm
Please consider joining us November 2nd to help cheer on and support our team!
