Representing Students with Disabilities When School Discipline & Criminal Prosecution Collide

Robert M. Tudisco, is a nationally recognized author, motivational speaker and non-profit management consultant, in addition to being a practicing attorney at the law firm of Barger & Gaines, in Irvington NY. He is also an adult diagnosed with ADHD. From 2010 through 2013, Robert was the Executive Director of the Edge Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides specialized coaching for students with ADHD and Executive Functioning Impairment. He is a past member of the National Board of Directors of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD), serving as a member of its Public Policy Committee since 2003, and as Committee Chair from 2005 through 2008. Robert is also a former Vice President of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). Since his diagnosis, he has researched and written extensively on the subject of special education law and disability advocacy, as well as the over representation of individuals with ADHD and co-occurring mental health conditions in the juvenile/criminal justice systems compared to that in the general population. He is a frequent resource for the media on these subjects including CBS News, New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, ABC News, The BBC, NBC’s Today Show, CNN, USA Today, Seattle Times. Robert has been published in ATTENTION® Magazine and regularly contributes on adult, parenting and legal issues, in addition to serving on its Editorial Advisory Board from 2004 through 2014. He was also the legal expert columnist for ADDitude Magazine from 2007 through 2012.

Robert received his Juris Doctor at the Fordham University School of Law in 1989. He subsequently served four years as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx County, NY. For the last twenty five years he has specialized in the areas of education law, disability advocacy and criminal law. He also lectures at conferences and continuing legal education seminars throughout the country, and speaks at special education PTA meetings. He also accepts engagements as a keynote and motivational speaker for parenting and student groups.

Robert is an avid runner, sports philanthropist and nine time marathon finisher. He has developed a number of programs to raise funding and awareness for organizations such as CHADD and The Edge Foundation. As the Executive Director of the Edge Foundation, he created Team Edge, as a means to promote a healthier way of life for Edge Coaches and Students and also to raise funding and awareness about Edge’s mission through various athletic events. In 2009, Robert ran the New York City Marathon on a team of 125 runners who collectively raised over $485,000 for Autism Speaks. He lives with his wife and son in Eastchester, New York.