Debra Mandell Honored For Her Outstanding Work with Autism

The 2009 Milestones Professional Appreciation Award will be presented to Debra Mandell, O.T.R./L, M.A., Director of Monarch School for Autism, a division of Bellefaire JCB, in Shaker Heights. This award recognizes a professional who has gone above and beyond the call of duty, fostering a sense of self worth and promoting independence in people with disabilities. The Award will be presented at the Milestones 7th annual Autism/Asperger’s conference for parents and professionals on June 15th at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven.

Debra Mandell (Monarch School for Autism)

Debra is the Director of Monarch School, a chartered non-public school for children ages 3-22 with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Debra’s formal training in both occupational therapy and health administration, her 30 years of experience working with special-needs populations, and her unyielding dedication, make her the consummate leader of Monarch’s students, families and staff.

Debra’s talents, experienceand dedicationhave elevated the school to a nationally recognized center for autism treatmentemphasizing anindividualized, child-centeredcurriculum.Debra was a driving force in expanding the day school to encompass preschool, summer, and family recreational programs, in addition to the Monarch Boarding Academy. She has helped to expand Monarch’s reach far beyond its walls by offering school consultations, and partnering with other local and national organizations. All the while, Debra balances the continuous needs of her staff, her students and the families involved with Monarch.

In nominating Debra for recognition, Monarch parent Melanie Wax enthusiastically states “Her passion for the urgent need to educate the growing population of autistic children is very real. Her passion for the integrity of Monarch School is very real. Every community should have someone like Debra Mandell. I am so glad she is part of ours.”

To attend the Award Presentation, please pre-register for the conference by June 8. Walk-ins will be accepted the day of the event with an additional fee. Please visit www.milestones.org or call 216-371-4765 for more information about the 7th Annual Milestones Autism/Asperger’s conference.

About Milestones Autism Organization:

Milestones, a Cleveland based 501(c)(3) organization, promotes lifelong strategies of success for individuals with autism, childhood through adulthood. Milestones conducts an annual conference; family workshops; and training; provides referral advice; and maintains a robust up-to-date website of autism information including services, programs and individual rights. Since its founding in 2003, Milestones has served over 4,000 parents and professionals in the field of autism. In 2008 alone, Milestones had over 1 million hits to its website: www.milestones.org.