Developing Core Competencies as an Autism Specialist through a Neurodiversity Lens

Jeffrey Guenzel, EdD, LPC, has been the CEO of ICDL since 2013. Before joining ICDL, Jeff held key leadership positions in state government and served as an executive director of a very successful not-for-profit. Jeff is a professional counselor that has been providing mental health and human development services for over 30 years. In his most recent appointments prior to joining ICDL, Jeff was the deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and previously served as the director of the New Jersey Division of Child Behavioral Health. In these positions, he led many innovative initiatives including restructuring the service delivery system for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Prior to his appointments with the State of New Jersey, Jeff was the inaugural executive director of a not-for-profit agency providing wraparound care management services for children and young adults with complex behavioral health challenges. Under his leadership, the agency became one of the largest wraparound agencies in the United States, gaining him national recognition.

Jeff has been invited to speak at conferences and to teach courses throughout the United States and in countries around the world. In addition to presenting at conferences and teaching courses on clinical practice, he has also provided technical assistance on leadership and program development to organizations, schools, and governmental entities.

As a professional counselor, Jeff has specialized in children and adolescents, but he also has much experience working with adults throughout the lifespan. He has worked as a clinician at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University) as well as in private practice. Jeff earned his BA degree in Psychology and his MA degree in Counseling from Montclair State University. Jeff is currently working towards his Doctor of Education (EdD).

Jeff has been legally blind or visually impaired for most of his life. In the 1980’s he competed nationally and internationally as a member of the USA Paralympic swim team.

Jeff provides a valuable combination of clinical knowledge and skill coupled with a proven track record of successful leadership. Underpinning this is a life-long commitment to serving others and promoting development for individuals, organizations, communities, and service delivery systems. Jeff has a deep appreciation for human diversity and has shown an unwavering commitment to creating a world where individual differences are embraced and everyone has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jeffrey Guenzel has an employment relationship with the International Council on Development and Learning. He receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jeffrey Guenzel has no relevant non-financial relationships.

Emile Gouws, PhD student, is a 28-year old autistic self-advocate and special educator at Edu360 Integrated Education in South Africa. Emile was selected as Vice Chair of the National Executive Committee of Autism South Africa and executive committee member on the Common Wealth Disabled people’s forum where he represents neurodiversity. Emile is on the Board of Directors for the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning and has presented at conferences throughout the world.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Emile Gouws has employment relationships with EDU360 Foundation and EDU 360 College. He receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Emile Gouws is an adult who is on the autism spectrum.