Cindy Waeltermann

Cindy Waeltermann, founder and Director of both AutismLink and the Autism Center of Pittsburgh is the parent of two children on the autism spectrum. A former marketing and communications professional in the computer industry, she is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Frustrated with the lack of services and help for parents, she founded AutismLink in 2000.

Ms. Waeltermann provides much of the parent support and guidance for the Autism Center of Pittsburgh and is a member of the PA State Autism Task Force, the PA State Behavioral Health Task Force, a compliance monitor for the PEAL Center, former member of the Board of Directors of PACAS (Pennsylvania Action Coalition for Autism Services, and is currently the Director of PAFTA (Pennsylvania Families Together for Autism.)

Dr. John Carosso

Dr. John Carosso, a licensed psychologist who has been in practice for 16 years. Dr. Carosso has evaluated over 2.000 patients with disabilities, school concerns, and custody issues to name a few areas. Dr. Carosso has a certification in school psychology. His decade of service to the school system includes developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and Multidisciplinary Evaluations (MDE).

Dr. Carosso’s experience in the mental health field dates back to over fifteen years in a number of capacities including as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and School Psychologist. He has worked in private, school-based, inpatient, residential, and in-home settings. His specialization is in the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of children and teenagers and, in that regard, has conducted literally thousands of evaluations with children, and families, of all walks of life. He has also encountered virtually all mental health complexities including within the autistic spectrum, attention deficit, defiance and oppositionality, depression, anxiety and panic, academic problems, psychosis, and delinquency. As part of the evaluation and treatment process. Dr. Carosso makes it a priority to help parents obtain a thorough understanding of their child’s diagnosis and suggest ways to manage their child’s developmental needs.

Judith McKnight

Judith McKnight Krynski can do initial evaluations if you suspect autism, or can perform quarterly wraparound evaluations. She is a licensed psychologist with over 37 years of experience as an evaluator, therapist and psychologist. A former psychologist at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked with children with many developmental disabilities, but particularly autism, and utilizes Best Practice Evaluations. Ms. McKnight-Krynski is a CCBHO preferred provider.

If you have VALUE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH as your managed care organization, outside of Allegheny County, Judith McKnight-Krynski can do your initial evaluation, but not a wraparound evaluation.

Sarah Gordish

Sarah Gordish, OTR/L is a graduate of Duquesne University and received her Masters Degree of Occupational Therapy in 2003. After graduation, she worked at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. There she worked with transplant, orthopedic, and neurological patients. Sarah began working for
The Autism Center of Pittsburgh in 2006. Having pediatric clinical experience, Sarah has worked with children with autistic spectrum disorders, neurological impairments, cerebral palsy, and downs syndrome.

Sarah is registered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Sarah is certified in Therapeutic Listening.

Christine Zundel

Christine Zundel, mother of three, earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1993. Since that time, she has had the privilege of working in a variety of settings with diverse patient populations. In addition to working with pediatric outpatients, Christine also works with children in early intervention.

Christine has completed many hours of continuing education related to sensory processing disorders, listening therapy, hand and upper extremity dysfunction, dysphagia, and physical agent modalities. Christine has also developed educational materials in topics such as positioning, ADLs, ROM/contracture management/splinting, feeding, transfers/falls/balance, skilled rehab process/program development, and documentation. These materials have been used in clinical education and presented at the Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association conference.

She is licensed as an Occupational Therapist by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Amy Morgan

Amy Morgan, SLP (amymorgan@aspirepediatrictherapy.com), part owner of The Autism Center of Pittsburgh, LLC, received her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Duquesne University. After graduation, she worked at DePaul Institute where her caseload addressed the needs of children with hearing impairments, Developmental Verbal Apraxia, seizure disorders, autism, and auditory processing disorders. Further career development includes over six years of early intervention throughout Allegheny County. This position entailed varying caseload including but not limited to individuals with Downs Syndrome, Rett’s Syndrome, autism, cognitive deficits, developmental delays, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, pediatric stroke, and many other conditions.

Amy’s certifications include:

Board certified by The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Licensed Speech Language Pathologist
Pennsylvania Professional Instructional teaching certification of Speech and Language Impaired

Kristi Smith

Kristi Smith is a graduate of Duquesne University, where she received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. Kristi worked in the research and development department at Dynavox Technologies where she helped develop AAC page sets to improve communication for individuals with varying abilities. Kristi currently provides speech and language services in Allegheny County through the early intervention program. Her experience includes, but is not limited to, providing speech and language therapy to children with autism spectrum disorders, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injury and developmental delays.

Kristi’s professional certifications include:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
• Board certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association

Gregory Del Duca

Gregory Del Duca is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, and received his Master of Arts in 1998. After a year with Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Gregory served a variety of communities as an AmeriCorps volunteer, a Peace Corps volunteer, and a founding teacher with a KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) charter school in East Point, Georgia.

In 2004, Gregory returned to Pittsburgh and served in the Pittsburgh Public Schools as a speech and language specialist. His experience at PPS included elementary schools (K-5), pre-kindergarten classrooms, early childhood education centers, and a LEAP pre-kindergarten classroom. Through consultation, advocacy, trainings and direct integrated services, Gregory has served a variety of families and populations using techniques rooted in evidence-based practice, individualized supports, family-centered and relationship-based planning, positive behavior support, and functional, life-based social and communication skill-building.

Gregory’s professional credentials include: Certificate of Clinical Competence issued by the American
Speech-Language Hearing Association, Pennsylvania State Teacher Certification (Level II), 12: Speech and Language Impaired, Pennsylvania State Licensure: Speech and Language Pathologist

Kristen Hartzell

Kristen Hartzell is the parent of 3 children on the autism spectrum. Kristin travels to conferences all over the country for AutismLink, and assists in the day to day operation of the AutismLink Store. She also serves as a Family Support Coordinator at the Center.

Terri Fitzgerald

Terri Fitzgerald is the parent of three children, one of whom has autism spectrum disorder.