Who We Are
Ms. Smithmeyer is permanently New York State certified in general education (elementary grades nursery-6, secondary English grades 7-12) and special education. She has worked in many school settings, most recently providing consultant teacher services in both general education and special education settings, and training school personnel in Autism topics.
Michael Lo Gallo is also a partner of Consultants
in Exceptional Education. He is a special educator (B.A. Long Island University,
M.S. Hofstra University) who holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in
School Administration and Supervision, and received additional post-graduate
training in Autism at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (TEACCH).
Mr. Lo Gallo is permanently New York State certified in general education
and special education. He has served as a clinical instructor at Upstate
Medical University (State University of New York Clinical Campus at Binghamton)
on psycho-education topics for third- and fourth-year medical students
on their psychiatry rotation. He has developed many programs, including
the Integrated Settings Program, a summer program for children with ASD
in community day camps. Mr. Lo Gallo has presented many professional trainings
and inservice education programs.
Ms. Smithmeyer and Mr. Lo Gallo are certified to work with University of North Carolina staff in presenting TEACCH set-up training. Last year they were honored to present a paper on the Integrated Settings Program for children with ASD at the TEACCH International Inservice at UNC, Chapel Hill. In addition, they currently serve on the Central New York Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Council to improve teacher preparation coursework related to Autism in SUNY Colleges.
Ms. Smithmeyer and Mr. Lo Gallo, who have a combined sixty-four years experience working with special needs students and adults, have designed and presented many professional trainings and inservice education programs. They have produced several training modules for paraprofessionals who work with students with disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders. They have also created and presented a comprehensive parent-training program for families of children with ASD.
Ms. Smithmeyer and Mr. Lo Gallo maintain a number of active professional affiliations including the Autism Society of America, Broome Tioga ASA Chapter, Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders and Council on Administration of Special Education.
