Shira Ackerman, PhD

CYM Undiscovered League is a Professional Basketball League. The purpose of the CYM UL is to help former, current and aspiring professional basketball players compete at a high level in front of Scouts, Owners & General Managers and Sports Agencies to earn contracts to play professional basketball at the highest levels possible. Check us out at www.cymtv.org

Creating Young Minds is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Lake Dallas, Texas. Creating Young Minds Academy includes a Prep basketball team and CYM Undiscovered League. Creating Young Minds Academy is a year-round basketball program with an emphasis on Education, Character, and Responsibility. Creating Young Minds includes CYM Undiscovered League, a Professional Basketball League for current, former and aspiring professional basketball players. We are replicating the European model of training, developing and preparing young athletes into Professional Athletes with the combination of our CYM Academy, and CYM Undiscovered League. The younger players from CYM Academy will have the opportunity to play alongside Professional Basketball Players in our CYM Undiscovered League.

Lewisville Leopards is a Professional Basketball Team with The Basketball League (TBL), the third professional basketball league in the United States. We are replicating the European model of training, developing and preparing young athletes into Professional Athletes with the combination of our Creating Young Minds Academy and Lewisville Leopards. The younger players from CYM Academy will have the opportunity to play along side Professional Basketball Players on our Lewisville Leopards team in the TBL.

As the Director of Autism Programs for ESNT, worked with the different autism programs and across sites within ESNT to systematize processes for staff, clients, and research. Worked with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and managed the grant contract for the Autism Treatment Program. Worked with University of North Texas consultants on site with the Autism Treatment Program. Communicated with families and community members on a regular basis. Managed the intake process, interest list, and enrollment for the Autism Treatment Program. Collaborated with ESNT program directors, rehabilitative service providers, social workers and case managers, and ESNT BCBA’s across programs and sites.

Member of the Department of Behavior Analysis faculty and taught Autism I graduate level course for Fall 2012 semester.

Director of an intensive inclusive year-round early intervention program for children on the autism spectrum ages 2 to 5 years old. Developed and supervised a program using the framework of applied behavior analysis and research-based effective methods including verbal behavior analysis. Hired, trained, supervised, and mentored the program staff which included a classroom teacher, full time educational aides, related service professionals, and university students. Developed the monthly home visit program for the families with children on the autism spectrum. Provided training and consultations for local school districts on autism spectrum disorders and effective teaching strategies for all age groups within the public school system. Created and developed a recreational basketball program for individuals on the autism spectrum between the ages of 5 and 18 in the Spokane community. Presented research conducted within the classroom setting at various local conferences.