About the Founders
Nicole Filippone and Dr. Katz are currently a 2-person (mother-daughter) team.
Nicole Filippone
Study Founder, Theory Architect & Project Director
Dr. Katz
Study Founder, Research Advisor & Subject Matter Expert
Nicole holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology, a Master’s Degree in English Literature, and has over 20 years of applied learning science experience. Her BA degree included formal training in research and survey design.
Nicole’s cross-domain background of formal education and applied expertise, plus her 42 years of lived experience as a high masking, lower support needs, late diagnosed autistic person, and her 13 years of experience as a parent of 3 neurodivergent children have all contributed to her development of her Theory of Autistic Self-Actualization.
This theory, in part, exists within the context of this research project, largely described as the “Continuum of Decline.” Nicole will continue to share content about her larger theory on social media and longer-term in article and book format.
Nicole’s first role in the study is founder and theory architect.
Nicole will also be an active member of the research team, conducting, collecting, and analyzing the data and will be co-authoring the results paper with Dr. Katz.
Dr. Katz has over 40 years of combined expertise in autism, sensory processing & integration, early childhood development, mental health, trauma, and community-based practice, over 30 years of expertise in research design, methodologies, and practices, and holds an occupational therapy doctorate degree (OTD).
She also has over 30 years of experience working with autistic children as a pediatric occupational therapist and is neurodivergent herself.
Dr. Katz has been Nicole’s occupational therapy advisor for over 6 years as she developed content related to sensory processing disorder, sensory integration, and sensory integration support strategies.
She was also and continues to be Nicole’s advisor for her educational children's book series, Sensory Stories.
Click the links below for more detailed information about Nicole and Dr. Katz's experience and credentials.