Dr. Jim Ball Durand with Dr. Temple Grandin in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Mount Laurel, NJ: Stephen M. Shore, Ed.D., a professor at Adelphi University who has autism and
Asperger’s Syndrome and is an author of several books including Beyond the Wall: Personal
Experiences With Autism and Asperger Syndrome and Understanding Autism for Dummies, has
been selected by Durand, Inc. to receive the Dr. Temple Grandin Award for Excellence in Autism.
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with bachelor’s degrees in music,
accounting, and information systems, he has a master’s degree in music education and completed
his doctorate at Boston University. He speaks candidly about how he was nonverbal until the age
of four years, diagnosed with “atypical development with strong autistic tendencies,” regarded as
“too sick” to be treated on an outpatient basis, and recommended for institutionalization. He
credits the support of family members, friends, and teachers for his success in facing many
challenges in his life. He lives in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife and travels extensively
to share his insights and expertise on autism.
This annual award given by Durand, Inc. celebrates the outstanding achievements of individuals
who promote a greater awareness of the autism spectrum and engage in activities that advance a
better understanding in meeting the needs of people with autism, their families, and the community
at large. This award will be presented to Dr. Shore on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at The
Westin Hotel in Mount Laurel, NJ, starting at 5 PM. Open to the public, this award recognition
event will feature remarks by Dr. Shore about best practices in meeting the needs of people on the
autism spectrum. Tickets for this event are available at $25 per person by calling 856.235.3540 or
visiting the Durand, Inc. website at durandac.org.
This awards program is named after Dr. Temple Grandin in recognition of her significant
achievements as an advocate for individuals with autism and a champion in the autism community.
Dr. Temple Grandin—a world-famous adult with autism, bestselling author, speaker, and designer
of human livestock treatment facilities and equipment—now serves on the selection committee of
this awards program, along with Dr. Diana Glendinning, daughter of Durand’s founder, Dr. Simone
Durand Schulmann, and a neuroscientist and Associate Professor at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School; James Ball, Ed.D., President/CEO of JB Autism Consulting and Executive Chair,
National Board of Directors, Autism Society; Scott Badesch, President/CEO of the Autism Society;
Dr. Sharon Davis Bianco of Rowan University; and Dr. Jacqueline Kaari, a pediatrician in Sewell,
New Jersey, who is affiliated with Kennedy University Hospital and serves on the Durand, Inc.
Board of Trustees. Ray Cristofoletti, Executive Director of Durand, Inc., and Jennifer Amoroso,
M.Ed., BCBA, Principal of Durand School, also serve on this selection committee.
Established in 1972, Durand, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a long tradition of providing
care and educational resources to meet the needs of children and adults with special needs and
their families living in Southern New Jersey. With offices in Mount Laurel, NJ, Durand offers
individualized services through its group homes, adult training services, family support services,
and day school. Both the Durand School and the Durand Thrift Store are located in Woodbury,
NJ. For more information, visit the Durand, Inc.