Event Description:
The Spectrum Experience and Personal Perspectives is a virtual panel discussion on the experience of being autistic. A group of adults on the Autism Spectrum will share their individual perspectives, challenges, and successes. Autism Tennessee encourages you to come prepared to engage as there will be time for questions and answers (Q and A).
Panelists include:
Jamal Underwood - I live in Nashville, TN, with my family. I was diagnosed with autism (later upgraded to Asperger syndrome) in 1999. I love God, cars, and meeting new people. I am a big self-advocate, and I love trying new things.
Dr. Dave Caudel - Dr. Dave Caudel is the associate director of the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in 2009, Caudel is an autism self-advocate, speaking to a variety of organizations, including the U.N. and autism conferences internationally. For much of his life, he struggled to find his place in the world, and has had a number of careers, including as a videographer, a soldier in the U.S. Army, a journalist, photojournalist, magazine editor, public affairs specialist, truck salesman, and corporate stints from customer service to loss prevention, just to name a few, before deciding to give, “this college thing a try.” He received his PhD. in Physics at Vanderbilt University in 2017. He serves on the advisory committee for the Center for Discovery, Innovation, and Development at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey and is a founding member of the Vanderbilt Autism and Neurodiversity Alliance. His research interests include gamma spectrometers for astrophysics applications and finding meaningful employment for adults on the spectrum by finding novel, innovate ways to measure their strengths, talents, and passions, then matching those to specialized business needs, as well as determining the programs and training needed to maximize success.
Brian K. Williams - Brian was born and raised in Clarksville, Tennessee, to Alma and the late Raiman E. Williams. He received an associate degree from Austin Peay State University after transferring back home from MTSU. While working on the student newspaper at MTSU, Brian was introduced to broadcasting and media by individuals involved in the MTSU television studios. Since 1991, Brian has been involved in the broadcasting field. He began his career at Cencom, which is now known as Spectrum, then went to Comcast, which is now known as Xfinity. He worked with Xfinity from 1996 to 2007. In 2003, Brian began working at Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he is currently still employed in their Media Ministry. In 2007, Brian was diagnosed with Autism (Asperger’s Syndrome), yet, has not been deterred. He continues to work hard, is devoted to his family, career, and the ministry. Brian seeks to continue being a “good man for God.”
Desiree Dyer - Desiree Dyer is an outspoken autistic self-advocate and native of New Jersey who has lived in Nashville for the past eight years. Desiree was diagnosed as autistic late in life at the age of 42 and this realization shifted her whole life story. Armed with deeper self-knowledge and understanding, Desiree launched a new career working as a Field Engineer for a global Financial Technology company where her abilities to tenaciously solve hardware and software problems are valued and rewarded. In her personal life, she is now able to ask for help and support with social and executive functioning difficulties as they arise. Desiree’s hobbies include yoga, kettle-bell training, reading, and spending time with her husband, Ben, and stepdaughter, Clover.
Moderator:
Kathleen Ferrelli, MS, CCC-SLP - Kathleen Ferrelli is originally from the eastern shore of Fairhope, Alabama. Kathleen has a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Georgia Southern University. Kathleen moved to Tennessee in the Spring of 2018 to start her career as a speech-language pathologist. In Kathleen’s professional career, she has worked in the public schools, a vocational rehabilitation setting, and private practice setting. Kathleen enjoys watching old films, gardening, volunteering, and hiking. Kathleen currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and puppy.
