What:     The Friends of the University of New Haven (UNH) Library will host a public lecture, “The Impact of Dysfunctional Mirror Neurons on Autistic Children,” with Louise Soares, Ph.D., UNH professor of education, and Robert Law, practitioner-in-residence in the UNH Education Department. They will discuss the link between mirror neurons and autism and outline typical behaviors displayed by autistic children.  This event is free and open to the public.

When:    Tues.,  April 27, 2010, 2:00 p.m.

Where:     Marvin K. Peterson Library, Upper Level, UNH campus

Details:     Soares received her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Illinois. Prior to her appointment at UNH, she was a professor in psychology, education, and business at the University of Bridgeport. Her achievements at UNH include establishing the Math/Science Council and Liberal Arts Council with faculty from other arts and sciences departments and designing a charter high school as an academy for future teachers with West Haven public schools. She has published over 200 articles and delivered over 450 presentations at national and international conferences.

Law received his M.S. in school psychology from Southern Connecticut State University and his sixth-year professional diploma from the Connecticut Center for Gestalt Therapy.  Prior to his appointment at UNH, Law was a special education teacher and school psychologist. From 1997 through 2005, Law was a member of the Regional Crisis Intervention Team at the Yale Child Study Center where he assisted in developing a training manual and video to be used for educating school personnel in responding to crisis and emergency situations. His courses include Contemporary Issues and Children with Special Needs. In addition to his work at UNH, he is a consultant in the Ansonia public school system where he works with children diagnosed with autism and emotional disturbances.

For more information contact Hanko Dobi at 203-932-7191 or [email protected].