Who we are
Erik Nanstiel
President & Administrative Director
Dad to Miranda
Email:
Erik Nanstiel is a veteran graphic designer and copy writer with a background in trade magazines and advertising, currently working as an art director for a publishing firm in Evanston, IL. Since his daughter's regression into Autism at 15 months of age, Erik & his family have been working very hard to improve their daughter's health with biomedical intervention and try to recover her from this debilitating disorder. Erik is cofounder and President of the Foundation for Autism Information & Research located in Hoffman Estates, IL.
Laura Lum Corby
Vice President & Educational Director
Mom to Chad and Lexi
Email:
Laura Lum Corby is the parent of two children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as having an Autism Spectrum Disorder herself. She has a seven-year-old son who was diagnosed with full-blown, non-verbal autism at 18 months, and a 12-year-old daughter with multiple difficulties in the autism spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome. Ms. Corby is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Psychology and is also the Founder and CEO of the Autism Solution Center, Inc. in the Memphis, Tennessee area. Ms. Corby is now using her Strong medical and marketing background to address the issues facing autism and those affected by it. She has spent the last five and a half years engaged in intensive biomedical, dietary and therapeutic research, as it relates to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ms. Corby is actively involved in disability advocacy; (local, state and national) legislative issues and awareness; autism research, education and treatments; building community relationships and inclusion with those affected by autism and their families. She is actively involved as an advocate for her own children, as well as on behalf of others who are unable to advocate for themselves. Ms. Corby is also a graduate of the Partner’s In Policymaking Leadership Institute, a division of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Julie Duffield
Treasurer & Research Director
Mom to Michael & Jessica
E-mail:
Julie Duffield holds a B.S. in Math, Chemistry and German. She quit teaching public school in 1998 when her son Michael was diagnosed with autism, shortly after her daughter Jessica was born. Jessica was later diagnosed with autism at 17 months of age. The Duffield children respond positively to biomedical treatment coupled with intense ABA and Sonrise therapies. Their progress is slow, but positive, and the Duffields hold high hopes for full recovery from autism for both children. Julie Duffield started teaching high school again in Fall of 2004, in Carpentersville, Illinois. She is a cofounder of the Foundation for Autism Information & Research, Inc. located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Michael Smith
Board Chairman & Northeast Regional Director
Dad to Alexander and Michaella
E-mail:
Michael Smith the father of a 10 year old boy with autism. Michael is the President of Diversified Graphic Systems, Inc., A Printing and graphic communications consulting company located in upstate New York. He has served on local and Regional boards for The International Association of Printing House Craftsmen, Rotary International, and Chamber of Commerce. Michael spends a lot of time at the State Capital in Albany NY educating state legislators about autism issues and analyzing current legislation. He is the principle author and co-author of various pieces of autism legislation in the New York Legislature. Michael has testified on autism issues on multiple occasions before the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly, Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities, and serves on the working group for the State Assembly Sub Committee on Autism. Michael is a graduate of NYS Partners in Policymaking and is a certified OPWDD broker for Consolidated Supports and Services.
Kelly A. Donley
Special Events Coordinator
E-mail: kelly_fairevents@yahoo.com
Kelly Donley holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Applied Behavioral Sciences from the University of Kansas. She is the program director for Funtastic Gymnastic Therapy, a unique program for developmentally-disabled children that combines therapy, social and peer interaction within a gymnastics environment. Her position allows her to both interface with the community, as well work directly with children in the program.
Prior to attending the University of Kansas, Ms. Donley was a weekly volunteer at The Center for Enriched Living, a non-residential, social enrichment and skill-development center dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities or special needs, such as mental retardation. As a volunteer she developed close relationships with children and adults with special needs.
During her time at the Unviersity of Kansas, Ms. Donley also worked as a caregiver for a disabled adult and following graduation, worked as an in-home hospice provider for local elderly before joining the Funtastic Gymnastic Therapy team. Ms. Donley joined F.A.I.R. in the summer of 2010 as our Special Events Coordinator.
Contact Us
Thank you for visiting! If you wish to send us an e-mail the usual way,
click HERE: info@autismmedia.org
Foundation for Autism Information & Research, Inc.
1300 Jefferson Rd.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
