TOM CAFFREY, Director of VBN TRAINING, is not just another parent with a story about advocacy for a child with a developmental disorder. His own personal challenge of raising a daughter with autism enabled a global mission of educating teachers, school administrators, practitioners, therapists, and fellow parents on the challenges faced by children with special needs. Characterized by remarkable passion, visionary thinking, and relentless positive energy, Tom is the architect of a successful, multi-media instructional platform that encompasses motivational speaking, workshop facilitation, mentoring, consulting, video blogging, and writing about autism. First and foremost a teacher, Tom’s improbable quest began in 1996, when his daughter, Alicia, was diagnosed with autism. After conferring with colleagues and teachers regarding her educational needs, he realized that there was a lack of knowledge in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and that the approach itself was laden with constraints. Determined to effect change in the delivery of specialized, frontline training, Tom embraced his responsibilities and embarked on a journey of learning. A well-credentialed, board certified behavior analyst, he is considered one of the world’s top thought leaders on focused autism teacher education.In sharing his experiential knowledge, both as a parent and educator, Tom has established a sterling global reputation as a speaker and workshop facilitator. He leverages digital technology in unique and profound ways to communicate his message and simplify clinical information for the layman. Most notably, Tom uses video to spotlight the personal success stories of the children with autism as a means of catalyzing change. His work is an outgrowth of his empathy toward special needs children, genuine respect and admiration for the teaching community, and his burning desire to enrich the lives of all families who have been touched by autism.