Michael Alessandri
MS, PhD
Dr. Michael Alessandri is the founder and one of the principal partners of Alessandri & Associates, LLC, a company dedicated to bringing world-class autism expertise to families and professionals around the globe. Dr. Alessandri has been an active university professor and researcher since 1992. He has worked with individuals with autism and their families since 1981 in various capacities. He is also a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Rochester and obtained his MS and Ph.D. in Psychology from Rutgers University.
Dr. Alessandri has presented, consulted, and published internationally on developing appropriate and effective educational programs for students with autism. In addition, he has received numerous local, state, and federal research and service grants and several notable awards within the field including the Autism Society of America’s Wendy F. Miller Autism Professional of the Year Award as well as the National Autism Program of the Year Award for a university-based program that he directs.
Dr. Alessandri has received numerous other service awards for his community leadership, including the March of Dimes Community Excellence in Health Care Award (2007), the Health Services Coalition Outstanding Community Leader Award (2009), and the Parent to Parent Excellence in Family Advocacy Award (2010). He was also named one of the Ronald McDonald House's 12 Good Men (2008) and Dewar's 12 Men of Distinction (2007). In 2012, he was selected by the Children's Trust as the David Lawrence Champion for Children, one of South Florida’s highest honors for community service. In 2016, Dr. Alessandri was named the Visionary Leader of the Year by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; and in 2017, he was recognized by the Dade County Bar Association with the Fostering Inclusion and Diversity Award. In 2019, Our Pride Academy presented him with the Alesia Cruchley Mogul Community Advocate Award.
