Joel Shaul specializes in mental health services for children and teens at the autism spectrum at The Watson Institute in Sewickley, Pa. He provides individual and group therapy for children ages 6 to 19, and group social skills training for all ages in public school settings.
In his work with children on the autism spectrum in various settings, Joel has noticed a need for more engaging social skills curricula, stronger visual components and more compelling social skills learning activities. He first created the World of Ryuu with Rebecca Klaw, another Pittsburgh-based professional working with children with Asperger’s or other autism spectrum disorders. His more recent creations are now available at AutismTeachingStrategies.com.
Prior to working at The Watson Institute, Joel maintained a psychotherapy private practice while working in mental health clinics.
He received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Louisville in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan in 1979. Joel was a community organizer with the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone where he helped to build a midwife clinic and develop a health education curriculum for primary schools.
