Dr. Karen Berkman Selected by Governor Crist as Member on New Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders
Congratulations to Dr. Karen Berkman, who was selected by Florida Governor Charlie Crist to be on a new Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Berkman is Director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities-USF (CARD-USF), housed at the Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS).
Dr. Berkman has over 29 years of experience in the fields of developmental disabilities. Before joining CARD in January 2004, Dr. Berkman served as the director of the Center for Autism at Pressley Ridge in Pittsburgh. Her experiences have included working in residential programs, as well as community-based and clinical settings for individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. Berkman has published several articles that have addressed issues on challenging behavior and lifestyle changes.
CARD-USF is one of six regional CARD sites funded by the Florida State Legislature and offers instruction and coaching to families and professionals through a training and assistance model. CARD-USF serves children and adults of all levels of intellectual functioning who have autism spectrum disorder (including autism, Asperger's disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett's disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified); an autistic-like disability (documented on an evaluation that describes the characteristics that are being considered "autistic-like" by the evaluator); a dual sensory impairment; or a sensory impairment with other disability. CARD-USF serves 14 counties in south central Florida: Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota. Additional centers are located throughout the state.
The Department of Child and Family Studies is committed to improving the well-being of individuals, children, and families within communities across the country through promoting respect, inclusion, development, achievement, mental health, and an optimum quality of life.