About Us

philosophy

At NSSA we believe that each individual with autism, as well as their family members, deserve access to resources that will help them maximize their full potential. NSSA is dedicated to developing and providing those resources so that individuals with autism will be able to live lives filled with promise, dignity, and purpose and their families will have hope as well as peace of mind.

mission statement

Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism offers hope to people with autism and their families by providing high quality life-long support through services which enable people with autism to function better in everyday life. NSSA offers the most advanced treatment and training programs for the benefit of people with autism, and will continue to pioneer, through research, comprehensive treatment models which can be adopted nationally.

Key Staff

Nicole Weidenbaum, M.S. Ed., SAS, Executive Director

Nicole Weidenbaum received her Masters Degree in Special Education from C.W. Post’s C.A.S.E. Program (Competencies in Autism and Special Education) and is a certified special education teacher. She received her certification in School Administration and Supervision from Columbia University's Teachers College where she is currently a Doctoral candidate in the Department of Behavioral Analysis and Disorders. She began her career as a teacher at NSSA and, in addition, has over 14 years of experience working with individuals with autism and their and families and providing consultation services and training in Long Island school districts for their inclusion programs and self-contained classrooms. Ms. Weidenbaum is an adjunct Professor at Queens College and has presented at local and national conferences on a variety of topics addressing effective education for individuals with autism.

Kathy Mannion, Associate Executive Director

Kathy Mannion is the parent of four children, two of whom have autism. Before assuming her position as Associate Executive Director of NSSA, she served as the President of NSSA’s Board of Directors from 2001 through 2003 and as a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. In addition to her association with NSSA, she has worked in a variety of capacities within the autism community. Her past positions include, the Executive Director and a founding Board member of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment and the Development Coordinator for the Connecticut Center for Child Development. Over the past thirteen years she has been an avid advocate for individuals with autism and has presented nationally on such topics as the need for science-based intervention, early and accurate diagnosis, pediatrician education, and parent/professional partnerships.

Maria Garrett, M.S., BCBA, Senior Behavior Analyst

Ms. Garrett received her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. She has specialized in the education and treatment of children with autism since 2000. Her previous experience includes working at the New England Center for Children and United Cerebral Palsy of Utica. Her primary clinical and research interests are in the area of reinforcement and skill acquisition. Ms. Garrett has presented at both local and national conferences on behavior management, effective intervention, and successful inclusion of students with autism spectrum disorders.

Michelle Banville, M.S.Ed., BCBA, Behavior Analyst

Ms. Banville began her career at NSSA in 1997. She received her Master's Degree in School Psychology from Brooklyn College and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2000. Ms. Banville has specialized in the education of children with autism for 15 years, in both private and public school settings, as well as residential and adult programs.

Michael J. Cunningham, M.S. Ed., M.S., CCC-SLP, Coordinator of Assistive Technology Services

Michael J. Cunningham is a special educator and speech-language pathologist who has worked with individuals with disabilities in the area of assistive technology since 1994. He earned his Bachelor of Sciences degree from Queens College, City University of New York in 1994; his Master of Science degree in Special Education from Long Island University in 1997; and his Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from New York Medical College in 2001. He has been providing direct speech-language intervention to students with autism spectrum disorder, emotional disturbances, and cognitive impairment since 1994 and has been involved in conducting research, evaluations, trainings, and implementation of assistive technology in individuals with significant cognitive, communicative, and physical disabilities. He has worked for the New York City Board of Education, the Westchester Institute for Human Development at New York Medical College, the Nathaniel H. Kornreich Center at the National Center for Disabilities Services, and United Cerebral Palsy of Suffolk County.

In 2005 Mr. Cunningham began working at NSSA as an Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC) Consultant and in August 2007, he accepted a full time position as the Coordinator of Assistive Technology Services at Nassau Suffolk Services.

Mr. Cunningham has taught courses and guest lectured on assistive technology and augmentative/alternative communication at Queens College, CUNY, Brooklyn College, CUNY, Long Island University, Pace University, New York Medical College, and Mercy College. He has presented on topics related to Assistive Technology at the New York State Speech-Language Hearing Association and at NSSA’s Annual Collaborative Conference at the New York Academy of Medicine. Mr. Cunningham has worked with individuals of all ages, at all levels of cognitive, physical, and communicative abilities.

Stacey Agosta, M.S., Supervising Clinical Coordinator and Health Safety Coordinator

Ms. Agosta began her career as a teacher at the Barell School in 2002 and went on to assume the role of Lead Instructor and then Supervising Special Education Teacher. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hofstra University and her M.S. in Special Education from Long Island University-CW Post College. She has recently completed the coursework for her BCBA through the University of North Texas. Ms. Agosta has also been an Emergency Medical Technician since 1996.

Deb Astman, M.S. Ed.

Ms. Astman received her undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology from Hofstra University and her Masters in Special Education from CUNY, Queens College. She has recently completed her coursework for her BCBA through the University of North Texas. After working for four summers as an instructor of children with autism at Nassau County B.O.C.E.S., Ms. Astman joined the teaching staff at the Martin C. Barell School (NSSA) in 2000.

Elizabeth Boyd, Clinical Coordinator

Ms. Boyd began her career as a instructor at the Martin C. Barell School in 2001. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Adelphi University. Ms. Boyd has completed all the coursework in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the University of North Texas.

Jacqueline Frangoulis, Clinical Coordinator, M.S. Ed.

Mrs. Frangoulis received her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY New Paltz and her Masters in Elementary/Special Education from Touro College. In 2000 she joined the teaching staff at the Martin C. Barell School.

Jena Kaden, Senior Behavior Consultant

Ms. Kaden is a Senior Behavior Consultant for NSSA . Ms. Kaden holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Hartford. She has worked with children with autism since 2000 and has presented at local and national conferences on topics related to supporting students with autism in public school settings. Ms. Kaden provides consultation to various school districts on Long Island and is pursuing a certification in Behavior Analysis.

Diane Molini, Senior Behavior Consultant, M.S. Ed.

Ms. Molini earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from SUNY Plattsburgh with a dual certification in Special Education, K-12 and Elementary Education, K-6. Ms. Molini received her M.S. Ed. in Literacy Studies from Hofstra University. In 2000 she began her career as a teacher in the Martin C. Barell School and became a Lead Instructor in 2002. After two years as Consultation Service Coordinator, Ms. Molini assumed her current position.

Jason Watson, Coordinator of Vocational, Adult, and Family Services

Mr. Watson received his degree from Quinnipiac College and began his employment at the Martin C. Barell School as an instructor in 2000. After several years as a classroom Lead Instructor, Mr. Watson was promoted to his current positions. Mr. Watson has completed the academic course work toward BCABA certification through the University of North Texas.

George Williams III, Supervisor of Adult Services and Recreation Programs

Mr. Williams is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany. He has worked with students with autism since 1996 in both school settings for B.O.C.E.S.-Western Suffolk County and in a group home for the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities. Mr. Williams began his employment at the Martin C. Barell School in 2002 as an instructor. After serving for two years as a classroom Lead Instructor, Mr. Williams assumed his current positions.

Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism
Board of Directors

Allen Perl, CPA, President

Allen Perl is the managing partner of Perl, Grossman & Associates, LLP, a CPA firm in Lake Success, NY. He is a member of the NYS Society of CPA’s. Mr. Perl lives in Westchester along with his wife Ann and their two children, Dara and Brett. He has served on NSSA’s Board of Directors since 2001 and has served as Board President since November, 2003.

Gayle V. Fremed, Vice President

Gayle V. Fremed owned her own jewelry business for thirteen years. In addition to serving on the Board of NSSA, she also serves on the board of The Five Towns Community Chest and The School Board of Temple Hillel in North Woodmere. Ms. Fremed, along with her husband David, has two children; a daughter Jamie, who attends the Martin C. Barell School and a son Brandon. Ms. Fremed has been a member of NSSA’s Board of Directors since 1995 and has served as Vice President since 2001.

Joseph Keenan, Treasurer

Joseph Keenan is a partner in the law firm of McCanliss & Early in New York City. He is a graduate of Manhattan College with a BA in Government and earned his JD at Western New England College School of Law. He has previously worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County and later at the Law Department at E.F. Hutton & Company followed by Prudential Securities. He is the past President of the Emerald Association of Long Island, a 501(c)3 organization, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Greybeards, a charitable organization in Rockaway. Mr. Keenan is married and has three children.

David Stollwerk, Secretary

David Stollwerk taught English at Herricks High School for over 30 years. He has degrees from Duke University and NYU. He is Chairman of the Nassau County Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee for Duke University. Mr. Stollwerk has also served as a Trustee and Vice-president on the Board of Trustees of the Herricks School District. He is married to Susan and is the father of Alissa, a graduate of Yale University, and Alan, who attends NSSA’s Adult Services Program. He has been a member of the NSSA Board since 1992.

William Akley, Director

William J. Akley is Senior Vice President of Operations and Construction, U.S. Gas Distribution, National Grid (Formerly KeySpan, a holding company that was created when Brooklyn Union merged with the Long Island Lighting Company in 1998.)

Mr. Akley joined Brooklyn Union in 1983 as a management trainee and over the years has held a number of management positions. He has held various positions of responsibility in Gas Distribution Operations, System Design Engineering, Corrosion, Dispatching, Facilities Management, Security and Real Estate. He was elected Vice President in 2002. Mr. Akley is a NYS licensed professional engineer and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Mr. Akley is active in the community, as a board member for several not for profit organizations and serves as a director on his local Little League. He is a 2005 David Rockefeller Fellow of the NYC Partnership and participates in career mentoring for Clarkson University undergraduates. In 2000, Mr. Akley was named one of the year’s Outstanding Gas Industry Managers by Gas Utility & Pipeline Magazine.

Mr. Akley has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering from Clarkson University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Adelphi University.

Lawrence A. Ceriello, Director

Lawrence A. Ceriello is a partner at Dechert LLP. He previously held the position of special counsel in the Real Estate Department in the New York office of Cadwalader, Wickersham and Taft. With extensive experience in commercial real estate law, Mr. Ceriello has handled numerous complex transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, construction and permanent financing, environmental compliance and development projects. Mr. Ceriello received his B.A., cum laude, from Manhattan College and his J.D. from St. John’s University. He has served as a member of the Board of NSSA since 1994.

Bram D. Weber, Director

Bram D. Weber joined Weber Law Group LLP in 2002 after beginning his career at Greenberg Traurig LLP and a clerkship in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Mr. Weber received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in both history and American Studies from Brandeis University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Hofstra University School of Law, where he was the Managing Editor of Notes and Comments of the Labor and Employment Law Journal, one of the most well respected labor and employment law journals in the country.
In addition to his activity in the legal community, Mr. Weber holds leadership positions in numerous community organizations including serving as the Co-Chairman of the Young Leadership Division of the American Israel Political Affairs Committee (AIPAC); as a Co-Founder of the Brandeis University Recent Graduates Network; as a Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Brandeis University Emerging Leaders Society; and as a Member of the Real Estate Executives (REX) Steering Committee and the Building Repair Committee of the JUA-Federation of New York.

Gerard Weldon, Director

Gerard Weldon is the Managing Director of Marine Transportation, Buchanan Marine, LP in West Nyack, New York. He received his B.S. in Management from St. John's University in 1979 and his M.B.A. in Management from St. John's University in 1993. Mr. Weldon is the parent of autistic child who attends NSSA’s Adult Services Program. He has served on the Board of Directors since 1991.