Professional Statement
John M. Ortiz, Ph.D. is the director and founder of The Asperger’s Syndrome Institute.® A licensed psychologist, consultant, musician, composer, certified clinical hypnotist and psycho-educational trainer, he is listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. His international lectures on Asperger’s Syndrome, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, High-Functioning Autism, and related disorders are based on over twenty years of work with autism spectrum disordered populations and a dozen years specializing in Asperger’s Syndrome and related conditions. As a practicing psychologist with extensive clinical, research and consultation experience, his lectures bring a multi-disciplinary, integral approach to understanding and serving these challenging, highly rewarding populations. The founder of the Institute of Applied Psychomusicology®, his work also incorporates elements from the creative arts in general, and his books, The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology (1998 Small Press Book Award in Self Help/Psychology), and Nurturing Your Child with Music: How Sound Awareness Creates Happy, Smart and Confident Children (2000) in particular.
Dr. Ortiz’s work serving children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders originated in the late 70’s, at which time he was instrumental in helping to secure a grant for the South Florida State Hospital that facilitated the appropriation of a facility to house adolescents apart from the general, adult population. More recently, since 1992, he has been specializing in serving children, adolescents and adults presenting with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, Non-Verbal Learning Disorders, and related conditions. His eclectic and far reaching work with these populations has involved direct clinical service, assessment and evaluation, multi-disciplinary team coordination and instruction, research, professional training and lecturing, mentoring and supervision, and consultation with schools, universities, medical and psychotherapeutic facilities, mental health agencies, parents and caregivers, and others interested in serving these immensely gratifying, fascinating persons. Dr. Ortiz is also the author of the training-interactive game: "Exploring the Asperger Dimension"™ featured in his more extensive workshops, and the upcoming book: "The Gift of Asperger’s: A Practical Guidebook©" (expected late 2004-early 2005). His audio CDs: "The Soothing Pulse®" (adults and adolescents), "It’s Sleepy Time!®", and "Turning Daydreams into Dreams®" (children) were designed to elicit and facilitate relaxation for persons across both the neurotypical and autistic spectrums.
A dedicated practitioner and consummate professional Dr. Ortiz has specialized in serving families, children and adolescents since 1974. Deeply invested in current research and promoting education he was on the senior faculty at Cambridge College's National Institute of Teaching Excellence (1996-2004) and served on the editorial board of the American Counseling Association's Journal of Counseling and Development between 1995-1998. A dynamic lecturer, with an engaging wit and lively sense of humor, Dr. Ortiz is an active member of various professional organizations and deeply invested in promoting the practical application of scientific knowledge.