Autism Friendly Spaces

Our Team

Jamie Bleiweiss, Ph.D. 

Jamie Bleiweiss is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Special Education, specializing in working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).  She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and is trained in applied behavior analysis and Positive Behavior Support.  Dr. Bleiweiss has extensive clinical experience working with children, families, and professionals in a variety of community and educational settings, and currently serves as a behavior consultant for the ASD Nest Program. Additionally, she has presented numerous workshops and in-service trainings on topics related to ASDs, understanding challenging behavior, and Positive Behavior Support.

Donia Fahim, Ph.D., Cert. MRCSLT (UK) 

Donia Fahim is an Assistant Professor in early childhood special education. She is a speech and language pathologist and educational consultant who is trained in applied behavioral analysis and sensory integration. Dr. Fahim specializes in program planning and implementation of developmentally based interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), focusing on cultural and linguistic diversity. She has extensive clinical experience and has worked globally (Africa, Middle East and Europe) providing consultations, intervention, professional development training, parent training and service development to non-governmental organizations (e.g. UNICEF), schools, and government bodies.

 Gizem Tanol, Ph.D.  

Gizem Tanol is the Director of Program Quality and Evaluation at NYU Steinhardt’s ASD Nest Support Project. She has extensive clinical experience in pre- and in-service teacher training on autism, understanding challenging behavior, parent training, and implementing positive behavior support framework in inclusive settings.  For several years, Dr. Tanol served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Special Education at Hunter College, teaching such courses on behavior theory and student teaching/practicum seminars. Dr. Tanol has presented numerous workshops and published in peer-reviewed journals in the areas of implementation of class-wide reinforcement systems in inclusive settings and the fidelity of implementation of evidence-based classroom practices.