I am currently a biology student at Stockton University studying towards a B.S. in Biology with an endorsement for Secondary Education - Biology / Life Sciences (CEAS) in the state of New Jersey. I have a deep personal investment in special needs and education. I grew up around multiple people with learning disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have a strong professional background in special needs education, working in an out of district placement as a paraprofessional as well as, a crisis prevention / intervention team member for severely special needs and behavioral students students. I have also worked in the home with parents and family members to provide behavioral and social therapy for ASD diagnosed children. I hope to help progress and accelerate research on ASD by connecting the dots and performing original research, which will hopefully, one day, lead to new treatments or reduce prevalence. I also want to provide legitimate resources for parents, caretakers and ASD individuals themselves which provide treatment via lesser pharmacological involvement.