Michael Lafasakis, Ph.D., MS Ed., LBA/BCBA-D is a parent advocate who has been serving nonverbal children with severe autism and other developmental disabilities for over two decades for several hospital/special education programs in New York.
Dr. Lafasakis began training in the Learning Processes & Behavior Analysis Ph.D. program at The CUNY Graduate Center and after expanding to humanistic approaches, he received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Walden University.
His published research in JABA, JADD and JPBI has been cited in over 200 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and in over 10 academic textbooks. Dr. Lafasakis’ research has been listed as Recommended Practices by several state education departments in the United States for teaching communication skills to nonverbal children with autism.
Dr. Lafasakis first met Dr. Schwartz in 2021 after discovering his research on the AAPS website. He aims to explore scientific concepts in theology/spirituality as well as to conduct integrative/translational research that contributes to the emerging interdisciplinary field of theopsychobiophysics.
Dr. Lafasakis is currently enrolled in the Diaconate Program at Holy Cross Hellenic College and Greek-Orthodox School of Theology with special theopsychobiophysical interests in: (1) The Eucharist & Jesus Christ’s role in learning compassion for self and others; (2) martyrs, saints & holy relics; and (3) the healing power of invoking Jesus’ name, prayers, liturgies, vigils & common faith-based behavior.