Joanne Lara, MA was a professional dancer before becoming a classroom education specialist and university professor. She is the founder of the nonprofit organization Autism Movement Therapy (R), based in Los Angeles, California, which certifies, trains, and licenses dancers, educators, parents, and professional service providers in AMT. Joanne is a Core Adjunct Professor at National University in LA, California and teaches weekly Autism Movement Therapy classes in Van Nuys, CA, where she has a private ABA behavioral consultation practice. She produced the documentary Generation A: Portraits of Autism and the ARTS, was the executive producer of the LA musical event Temple Grandin & Friends: Autism Works Now and is a columnist for Autism Asperger's Digest and Sensory World.
Keri Bowers has been an advocate, filmmaker, author and educator for over 25 years. She owns Normal Films, and co-founded The Art of Autism. Her son Taylor, who has autism and is now an adult, inspired Keri to move from entertainment law into autism advocacy. She and Taylor have made several documentaries about autism and present workshops and talks, write articles and appear on television together. Keri is the art director for The Friendship Circle and Miracle Project in Los Angeles, California, and she co-writes a bi-monthly column for Autism Asperger's Digest Magazine called The Power of the Arts.