Staatsburg, New York, Albany, New York, and Littleton, MA…. Executives from Anderson Center for Autism announced today that the Director of its affiliate, Anderson Center International – Noor Y. Syed, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA/LBS – has been named a trustee at Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.
A nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1981, the mission of Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies (which is based in Littleton, MA, with locations all over the globe) is to advance the scientific study of behavior and its humane application to the solution of practical problems, including the prevention and relief of human suffering. The website notes the Center’s three goals: “to create and deliver trustworthy information on high quality behavioral services and science around the world, to promote global collaboration among behavioral organizations, and to improve the future of behavioral science by educating and developing the next wave of behavioral scientists and practitioners.”
Said Dr. Tina Marie Covington, Chief Operating Officer at Anderson Center for Autism, “Dr. Syed brings robust expertise and unwavering intellectual curiosity to this volunteer role at Cambridge Center. She has been overseeing all activities as Director of Anderson Center International (ACI) since 2020, at which point ACI earned consultative status with the United Nations – and has since helped ACI gain designation as a Civil Society Organization (CSO) with the UN Department of Global Communications, expanding Anderson’s opportunities to engage with the UN and to connect with other global leaders. All the while, Dr. Syed has helped sustain and build upon ACI’s highly respected 12-18 month training program, which offers scholars from around the world a chance to learn from Anderson’s professionals so that they can develop programs for previously underserved communities upon return to their home countries.”
Added Patrick Paul, CEO/Executive Director of Anderson Center for Autism, “Dr. Syed’s sense of our shared humanity inspires everyone around her, and has helped elevate our cause in various corners of the globe. We are so pleased that she has been extended the opportunity to serve as part of the Cambridge Center Board, and we are confident that she will bring tremendous value to that organization.”
Syed is a graduate of Binghamton University (undergraduate degree in ABA) and Teachers College, Columbia University (doctoral degree in ABA).
In addition to her role as Director of ACI, Dr. Syed is an Associate Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), as well as the founding director and Turben Director of Autism Advocacy with the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) at SUNY Empire State University. In these roles, she works to support SUNY Empire’s efforts to become fully inclusive for neurodivergent and autistic students and to help prepare future behavior analysts to engage in affirming behavior analytic practices.
Dr. Syed is also a Doctoral Advisor in ABA with Endicott College and a certified general and special education teacher. Dr. Syed serves on the ABA Ethics Hotline, co-facilitates the Shaping Change Lab, and is co-founder of Shining a Light, a coalition dedicated to raising awareness of and developing resources to prevent the use of aversive procedures. She is a member of the Organization for Autism Research’s Scientific Council, is President of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis, and co-facilitates Cambridge Center’s Distinguished Scholars program.
Dr. Syed has consulted with autism clinics in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Romania, and Uganda, among others. She recently presented at the United Nations during the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.
Syed reflected, “The theme of this year’s United Nations HLPF was ‘Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind.’ The work of both ACI and Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies is very much aligned. I believe strongly in work that focuses on developing equity, empowers historically underrepresented communities, and supports advocacy and inclusivity. It is an incredible honor to collaborate with Scholars through ACI, and now to do so with colleagues at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, all towards building equitable, inclusive practices. I look forward to contributing to the best of my ability.”
To learn more about The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, visit behavior.org.
Visit andersoncenterforautism.org/international to learn more about Anderson Center International.
About Anderson Center for Autism (ACA): Our mission at Anderson Center for Autism is to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.
About Anderson Center International (ACI): At ACI, our mission is to facilitate the improvement of the quality of life for individuals with autism throughout the world in a systematic, sustainable, and culturally significant way.
About Anderson Foundation for Autism (AFA): Through grantmaking, fundraising, and marketing initiatives, Anderson Foundation for Autism helps support, sustain, and expand upon Anderson Center for Autism’s efforts to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.