Barbara Boroson, LMSW
NYS License #050198 • barbaraboroson@gmail.com • www.barbaraboroson.com
EDUCATION
• Columbia University School of Social Work • LMSW,
1994 Dean’s Award for Academic and Practice Excellence
• Cornell University • BA in English / Creative Writing, 1988
PUBLICATIONS
BOOKS
• Disability in the Family: Guidance for Professionals from Parents and Guardians (Routledge, 2024)
• The General Educator’s Guide to Autism: Essential Answers to Key Questions (Solution Tree, 2023)
• Decoding Autism and Leading the Way to Successful Inclusion (ASCD, August 2020)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Inclusive Classroom: How to Reach and Teach Students with ASD (2nd Edition, Scholastic, 2016)
• Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Mainstream Classroom: How to Reach and Teach Students with ASDs (1st Edition, Scholastic, 2011)
ARTICLES
• “Distance Learning for Students on the Autism Spectrum: Just Keep Swimming” (W.W. Norton & Co., K–12 Talk, May 2020)
• “Picture This” (ASCD Educational Leadership, Dec. 2018)
• “Building Bridges Across the Autism Spectrum” (ASCD Educational Leadership, Sept. 2017)—winner of the “Association of Media & Publishing Award for Best Feature Article in a Magazine” • “Inclusive Education: Lessons from History” (ASCD Educational Leadership, April 2017)
• “Autism Spectrum Disorder Today: Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Content” (NYSRA Language & Literacy Spectrum, Summer 2016)
• “Common Core Meets Uncommon Kids” (Principal Magazine, NAESP, 2015)
• “Autism Spectrum Meets Common Core…Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (Autism Notebook, 2013) • “Impact” (Westchester Family Magazine, 2011; Western New York Family Magazine, 2010; Autism News of Orange County and the Rest of the World, 2008)
EMPLOYMENT
Barbara Boroson Professional Development & Autism Support Services, 2011–present
Dobbs Ferry, NY
Author of five books; international speaker and professional development provider to school districts, graduate schools, educator conferences, and autism organizations. Providing trainings for classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, special area teachers, related service providers, and building/bus staff, as well as consultations, teacher coaching, facility assessments, and parent/guardian workshops.
Director of Admissions, 1998–2001
The Hallen School, New Rochelle, NY
Served as Director of Admissions at a non-public special education day school serving students with autism, emotional disturbances, and/or learning disabilities. Managed all stages of the admission and placement process; screened thousands of admission applications annually; reviewed evaluations to determine each candidate’s potential for success at the school; conducted family interviews and intake meetings; assigned class placements. Led weekly psychiatric meetings with the therapy team. Served as Discharge Coordinator for graduating students.
Psychotherapist / Play Therapist, 1995–1998 & 2006–2007
The Hallen School New Rochelle, NY
Led ongoing individual and group therapy for children, adolescents, and families. Collaborated with administrators to implement the TEACCH program for children with autism. Assessed and referred children for psychiatric consultation or hospitalization, residential placement, ACS intervention, and other services, as needed. Obtained certification as an instructor in Non-violent Physical Crisis Intervention; trained fellow staff members and faculty in crisis prevention/intervention.
Clinical Social Worker / Pre-School Consultant, 1994–1996
The Guidance Center Mamaroneck, NY
Provided psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and families at an outpatient community mental health clinic. Primary clients ranged in age from three to eighteen. Consulted weekly at a Head Start program and at a universal pre-kindergarten.
Child Psychotherapist / Family Worker (Intern), 1993–1994
Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Child Development Center New York, NY
Served as member of an interdisciplinary team at a therapeutic nursery school, focusing primarily on children with autism. Provided play therapy, family and marital counseling, and parent/child therapy. Managed intake evaluation process, including advocacy at NYC Board of Education CPSE.
Adult Counselor / Teen Group Worker (Intern), 1992–1993
The ARC (formerly: “AHRC”) New York, NY
Provided counseling and job coaching to developmentally disabled adults employed in supported work in the community. Presented a remedial occupational training program to “marginally functioning,” inner-city adolescents. Conducted needs-assessment to create and facilitate socialization/sexuality groups and loss-support groups. Assisted clients in benefit application and follow-through, legal settlements, travel-training, and supported living.
Freelance Editor / Assistant Editor, 1989–1992
Dutton Children’s Books, Penguin USA New York, NY
Wrote copy for children’s book jackets and for a wide variety of promotional materials and presentations, including catalogs, press releases, and brochures. Edited picture books and young adult novels, providing direction to authors and illustrators. Collaborated in development of a unique and successful series of books for “reluctant readers,” based on research in child development and reading-skill acquisition. Evaluated manuscripts for publication and negotiated contracts with authors, illustrators, and agents.
AFFILIATIONS
• Pelham Children’s Center, Member, Board of Directors
• Special Education Parent-Teacher Association, Member, Board of Directors
• Committee on Special Education, Pelham, NY: Parent Advocate
• National Association of Social Workers: Member
PRESENTATIONS and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2024
• Norris Academy Psychiatric Residential Treatment Program; Andersonville, TN
• Reading for the Love of It Annual Conference; Toronto, Canada
• Educational Service Center of Lorain County; Elyria, OH
• Sandusky City Schools; Sandusky, OH
• Illinois ASCD Professional Development Series; Naperville, IL
2023
• 41st Annual Illinois ASCD Statewide Conference for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Educators, Professional Development Series; Naperville, IL
• National Presenter Series for Inclusive Practices, Region 4 Education Service Ctr.; Houston, TX
• ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) Virtual Leadership Summit
• NYAEYC (National Assoc, for the Education of Young Children) Annual Conference; Verona, NY
• ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), Virtual Leadership Summit
2022
• ASCD Annual Conference; Washington, D.C.
• NYAEYC Annual Conference; Verona, NY
• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children); eConference (accepted)
• Remote K-12: The Connected Teacher Summit, hosted by Arizona State University
• ASCD Virtual Equity Symposium
• Illinois/ASCD Virtual Annual Pre-K Conference
2020–2021
• Washington County Public Schoolsl; Hagerstown, MD
• ILA (International Literacy Association) Annual Conference; Columbus, OH (accepted/cancelled)
• NYAEYC Annual Conference; Verona, NY (accepted, cancelled)
• NSBA (National School Boards Associations) Annual Conference; Chicago, IL (accepted/ cancelled)
• Carrie Mastronardi Early Childhood Education Center; Brooklyn, NY (booked/cancelled)
• ASCD Annual Conference; Los Angeles, CA (accepted/cancelled)
2019
• Monroe-Woodbury Central School District; Central Valley, NY
• Carrie Mastronardi Early Childhood Education Center; Brooklyn, NY
• ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act—formerly Title One) Annual Conference; Kansas City, MO
• NSLA (Nebraska State Literacy Association) Annual Conference; Kearney, NJ
• ASCD Annual Conference; Chicago, IL
• NSBA Annual Conference; Philadelphia, PA
• SoMLA (State of Maryland Literacy Association) Annual Conference; Baltimore, MD
• NYAEYC Annual Conference; Verona, NY
2018
• The School at Springbrook; Oneonta, NY
• ILA Annual Conference; Austin, TX
• NAESP (National Association for Elementary School Principals) Annual Conference; Orlando, FL
• NYAEYC Annual Conference; Verona, NY
• ASCD Annual Conference; Boston, MA
• St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Early Childhood Development Program; Hogansburg, NY
• Mercy College Communication Disorders Professionals Graduate Program, Guest Speaker; Dobbs Ferry, NY
• WAEYC (Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children) Professional Development Seminar, Huguenot Nursery School; Pelham, NY
2017
• NYSRA (New York State Reading Association) Annual Conference: Saratoga, NY
• CT Reading (Connecticut Reading Association) Annual Conference: Cromwell, CT
• The Children’s School for Early Development: Keynote Speaker; Hawthorne, NY
• NJAPHERD (New Jersey Association for Adapted Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance): Keynote & Breakout Speaker, Adapted Health & PE Conference; Lawrenceville, NJ
• Mercy College Communication Disorders Program Keynote Speaker, Dobbs Ferry, NY
• WAEYC Annual Conference; Dobbs Ferry, NY
• NYSSBA (New York State School Boards Association) Annual Convention; Lake Placid, NY
• Mercy College Graduate School for Speech and Language Disorders, Guest Speaker; Dobbs Ferry, NY • ASCD Conference on Teaching Excellence; Denver, CO
• ILA Annual Conference; Orlando, FL
• National Principals’ Conference; Philadelphia, PA
• NSBA Annual Conference; Denver, CO
• ASCD Empower 17 Annual Conference; Anaheim, CA
• Bayonne Head Start Center; Bayonne, NJ
• North Star School District: Keynote & Breakout PD Speaker; Boswell, PA
• WAEYC; Pelham, NY
• Rockland Reading Council; Sparkill, NY
• NYSRA Annual Conference; Saratoga, NY
2016
• ASCD Conference on Educational Leadership, Featured Speaker; National Harbor, MD
• NYSSBA Annual Conference Featured Speaker; Buffalo, NY
• Brookville Center for Children’s Services; Westbury, NY
• KSRA (Keystone State Reading Association) Annual Conference; Seven Springs, PA
• Rockland Literacy Professionals Conference; Sparkill, NY
• The Children’s School for Early Development; Hawthorne, NY
• Cabot School District, Keynote and Breakout Sessions; Cabot, AR
• ILA Annual Conference; Boston, MA
• NAESP (National Assoc. of Elementary School Principals) Annual Conference; Nat’l. Harbor, MD
• Icahn Charter Schools, Keynote and Breakout Session; NYC, NY
• NSBA Annual Conference; Boston, MA
• NYAEYC Annual Conference, Rye Brook, NY
• NYSCoSS (NYS Council of School Superintendents) Annual Conference; Albany, NY
• NYTPS (NY Therapy Placement Services) Professional Development; Queens, NY
• WAEYC Professional Development Workshop; Harrison, NY
2015
• NYAEYC Annual Conference; Verona, NY
• WAEYC Professional Development Workshop; Larchmont, NY
• Torrington School District, Keynote and evening Parent Session; Torrington, CT
• NYSRA (New York State Reading Assoc.) Annual Conference; Saratoga, NY
• NJAEYC (New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children) Annual Conference; East Rutherford, NJ
• Schuyler Head Start Center, PD for General Educators & Building Staff; Montour Falls, NY
• WAEYC Annual Conference; Dobbs Ferry, NY
• Pinellas County Schools Keynote and Breakout Speaker for Summer PD Inst.; St. Petersburg, FL
• ILA Annual Conference; St. Louis, MO
• NAESP Annual Conference Speaker; Long Beach, CA
• Adelbrook Behavioral & Developmental Services Annual Symposium Keynote; Cromwell, CT
• SoMIRAC (State of Maryland Int’l. Reading Assoc. Council) Annual Conference Speaker; Baltimore, MD
• Pelham School District, Professional Development for Special-Area Teachers; Pelham, NY
• Rockland Reading Council, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Guest Speaker; Sparkill, NY
2014
• NYSRA Annual Conference Featured Speaker; Syracuse, NY
• Middletown School District 15-hr. Professional Development Course and Para Session; Middletown, NY
• CT Reading (Connecticut Reading Association) Annual Conference Speaker; Cromwell, CT
• KSRA Annual Conference Speaker; State College PA
• WAEYC Annual Conference Speaker; Dobbs Ferry, NY
• Rockland Literacy Extravaganza Featured Speaker; Sparkill, NY
• North Bellmore School District 15-hr. Professional Development Course; Bellmore, NY
• The Light House Annual Autism Education Conference, Keynote; Groton, CT
• Milford Schools Professional Development Keynote & Parent Evening Speaker; Milford, DE
• ASCD Annual Conference, Speaker; Los Angeles, CA
2013
• NYSRA Annual Conference Speaker; Albany, NY
• ILA Annual Conference Speaker, San Antonio, TX; 2013
• Rockland Literacy Extravaganza Speaker; Sparkill, NY
• ASCD Annual Conference Speaker; Chicago, IL
• Warren County School District Professional Development Day, Keynote; Warren, PA
2012
• ILA Annual Conference Speaker; Chicago, IL
• Rockland Literacy Extravaganza Speaker; Sparkill, NY
• ASCD Annual Conference Speaker; Philadelphia, PA
• Bronxville School District Professional Development; Bronxville NY
• Pelham Public Library Author Talk; Pelham, NY
• ASCD Summer Conference Speaker; St. Louis, MO
2011
• NYSRA Annual Conference Speaker; White Plains, NY
• Yeshiva University / Albert Einstein College of Medicine Guest Speaker; Bronx, NY
• Scholastic Teacher Store, Teacher Appreciation Week Speaker; New York, NY
• The Voracious Reader, Educators’ Evening, Author Talk; Larchmont, NY
• Bank Street College of Education Guest Speaker; New York, NY