I am a special education attorney who frequently represents families of children with autism in their quest to obtain appropriate special education placements and services for their children. This is no easy task and very often we must litigate against the school district which necessitates obtaining an expert witness to help the families prove their case. This is where Cristiane Souza Bertone, BCBA, LBA comes in to save the day. I have had the privilege of collaborating with Cris on many occasions, and each time I have been amazed by her level of professionalism, passion, and camaraderie. She has dedicated her career to helping children with autism, and it shows. She has acquired an encyclopedic knowledge of the clinical aspects of autism, including an in-depth understanding of the needs of these children, and which research-based methodologies are effective to meet their needs. In addition, she has a vast knowledge of the types of special education schools, programs, and services that are available to appropriately meet the unique needs of a wide array of students on the autism spectrum. Cris fiercely fights to ensure that children with autism get what they need. First, she conducts a thorough investigation by reviewing all relevant documentation and performing a classroom observation and, if necessary, a home observation, as well. She then generates a comprehensive report containing her recommendations and the reasons in support of her conclusions -- a highly useful tool for the family! When a case proceeds to a hearing, I have had the pleasure of eliciting testimony from her and getting her impressive credentials on the record. She then asserts her expert opinion, which she lays out concisely and authoritatively, about why a particular program or service is appropriate for a child. I have watched school district representatives try to cross-examine her to no avail -- they are simply no match for her considerable knowledge and expertise in the field of autism! In addition to all of this, Cris is a dream to work with and she gladly becomes an integral member of the team. She is always upbeat and willing to help. She is a great person to have on your team during times of crisis because she constantly provides valuable input and has a "can-do" attitude. Thanks to Cris, many children with autism who otherwise would have fallen through the cracks have been saved, and are now on track to leading productive lives!