Rondalyn Varney Whitney, MOT, OTR is a dynamic and creative speaker who has lectured as an invited speaker on topics related to nonverbal learning disorders to multiple groups across the country, ranging from groups at Parents Helping Parents to The Nebraska School System to the California Association of School Nurses. She is one of the most popular speakers at the annual NLDA symposia with her lecture tapes being the top seller throughout the years following the symposia. She is one of two featured experts (along with Steve Nowicki, Ph. D.) in the internationally distributed video on NLD produced by RUSH Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She has published the book The Guide Book on NLD for Teachers, Parents, Employers and Therapists to explain the syndrome and treatment of NLD. Her latest book, Bridging the Gap: Raising a Child with NLD was published in April of 2002, going into its second printing in two weeks. She owns a successful private pediatric OT practice specializing in the treatment of children with neurocognitive learning disabilities such as Asperger's Syndrome, Nonverbal Learning Disorder and High Functioning Autism.

Her presentations stress the importance of early intervention in the lives of children with NLD, the essential elements for treatment, how to advocate for a child's needs, and the importance of utilizing our understanding of occupational performance components to help our children find their way out of the box "disability" and into a life of a unique, successful learner. Presentations offered include half day sessions, full day sessions and two day sessions and cover a range of topics from identification and assessment, treatment planning, interdisciplinary team roles, and parent educational needs as related to a child with a nonverbal learning disorder. The needs of adults with NLD and Asperger's is covered as well.

Rondalyn V. Whitney, MOT, OTR is formerly Vice President of NLDA and is one of the four co-founders of that national organization. She received the Outstanding Service Award from NLDA in 1999. Rondalyn received an associates degree in Occupational Therapy in Beverly, MA, her BA in Medical Psychology at Marshall University, Huntington, WV and her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, California. She is a board member of the State Occupational Therapy Association in California and played an active part in the attainment of licensure in that state, protecting the rights of patients in that state. She served as past director of the Santa Clara Chapter of the Occupational Therapy Association of California and currently the associate director of that chapter. She is the clinic director and founding principal of The Lighthouse Project, is a published poet, a writer and the mother of a child with NLD.