 |
| The Gray Center Board of Directors |
 |
 |
Carol Gray
President |
| Carol Gray is the Director of The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding. She recently completed over 22 years of employment with Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan, initially as a teacher with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and in recent years as a consultant to students with ASD in inclusive educational programs.
In 1991, Carol developed Social Stories™ and Comic Strip Conversations strategies that are used worldwide with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She has published several resources on topics related to children and adults with ASD, including articles on bullying, death and dying, and how to teach social understanding. (This past spring, Carol’s complete three-part series of articles, Gray’s Guide to Bullying Parts I-III, 2000-2001, which had been unavailable for the last 1.5 - 2 years, was reprinted under one cover in a special edition of the Jenison Autism Journal, Vol 16 #1, 2004).
Carol is the recipient of the Barbara Lipinski Award for her international contribution to the education and welfare of people with ASD. | |
|
 |
Kenneth Tiews
Chairman |
| Kenneth E. Tiews is an attorney with the law firm of Wheeler Upham, P.C. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Michigan and has taught courses in philosophy of law at Calvin College and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. He is on the boards of Porter Hills Retirement Communities and Services and the Isabella Foundation, two Grand Rapids organizations serving the elderly. For many years he has acted as Attorney for the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, Presbyterian Church (USA) and, in addition to church-related law, maintains a general legal practice, specializing in elder law, estate planning, trusts and estates law, probate proceedings, and non-profit organizations. He was privileged to help Brian and Carol Gray first organize the Gray Center as a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization. Presently, he serves as Chairperson, from which vantage point he observes and admires the extraordinary dedication, energy, creativity and talent of the men and women with whom he is fortunate to be associated on the Gray Center Board. | |
|
 |
Bruce Mills
Vice-President |
|
Bruce Mills, our Vice President, teaches at Kalamazoo College and participates in the College's institute for service-learning. In his field, he has published numerous articles and three books, including Poe, Fuller, and the Mesmeric Arts (2005). Since his son’s autism diagnosis in the spring of 1995, he has devoted time to ASD programming in the Kalamazoo area. For the first-year seminar program at Kalamazoo College, he teaches a class that connects students to families and educators serving those on the spectrum. In the fall of 2000, he received an award from the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) for his contributions to the autism program. More recently, he has participated in conferences on autism, including Autism and Advocacy at Fordham College (fall 2006). He is presently composing a collection of essays that explores autism, memory, and the imagination. The title essay of the work-in-progress, “An Archaeology of Yearning,” was published in The Georgia Review (fall 2005). Bruce lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife, Mary Holtapp, and his daughter and son, Sarah and Jacob. | |
|
 |
Brian Gray
Secretary & Treasurer |
| Brian Gray, our Secretary and Treasurer, is a School Psychologist who has worked with the Jenison Public Schools for 26 years. He holds a Specialist Degree in School Psychological Services from Central Michigan University. In the past he has worked as a psychologist for Psychiatric Consultation Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a proud father of two and married to Carol Gray. | |
|
 |
Dr. Tony Attwood
Board Member |
| Dr. Tony Attwood is a noted speaker and Austrailian psychologist in the field of autistic spectrum disorders. Born in Birmingham, England he holds an Honours degree in Psychology from the from the University of Hull, Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Surrey, and Ph.D. from the University of London. Professor Uta Frith was his Ph.D. supervisor. Dr. Attwood started diagnostic and treatment clinic for children and adults with Asperger’s Syndrome with Dr Brian Ross, Child Psychiatrist, in Brisbane in 1992. This clinic functions two days a week, the other days he supports children and adults by visiting them at school and home. Dr. Attwood is a much sought after speaker and author at national and international conferences on individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome. His book Asperger’s Syndrome:A Guide for Parents and Professionals is a groundbreaking work on understanding individuals with ASD and has been translated into Japanese, and will soon be available in Danish. | |
|
 |
Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Board Member |
| Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is a Speech Pathologist who has specialized in addressing the communication needs of students with autism, and other moderate to severe communication and behavior disorders. She is a popular national and international presenter who shares her expertise through frequent consultation, conferences and inservice training programs. Linda is the author of the popular book, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication, currently one of the most recommended books in the field of autism because of its practical, easy to implement ideas for improving communication. Her new book, Solving Behavior Problems in Autism, continues the approach of supporting communication with visual strategies.
You can visit Linda's web site at: www.usevisualstrategies.com | |
|
 |
Laurel Hoekman
Board Member |
|
Laurel Hoekman is the Executive Director for The Gray Center. Laurel graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previously, she taught first grade at Hudsonville Christian School. In addition to her work with the Gray Center, Laurel is associated with Early On of Kent County, serving on the Local Inter-Agency Coordinating Council. Laurel has three wonderful children, who keep her life full of laughter, learning, love, and endless activity.
Laurel is endorsed by Carol Gray and The Gray Center to provide Social Stories(TM) presentations and trainings.
Laurel is the author of The Good Food Cookbook For Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets, and a co-editor of The Social Stories™ Quarterly. She has most recently authored and produced ASD to Z: Basic Information, Support, and Hope for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Contact Laurel by e-mail at laurel@thegraycenter.org | |
The Gray Center is pleased to have Willie Wallis join us as our newest board member! She has a long history of working with and assisting our organization. We'll post new information about Willie to this site soon!
|
|
 |
