Rob Cunningham, Ph.D. CBHCM has dedicated his professional life to developing and providing services that empower, inform, and focus on the individual, not their disability. Dr. Cunningham believes in emphasizing one’s unique strengths, interests, and passions while remaining pragmatic and flexible. Partnering with individuals in making their own sound and informed choices involves guiding rather than directing. This approach provides a more comprehensive view of the individual’s life than most traditional planning approaches, which all too often focus on outlining deficits in specific skill areas. The goal is an end result in which the individual identifies opportunities through a process of self – discovery.
Dr. Cunningham earned a B.A. in Psychology, a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University. He has more than 25 years of experience in direct service, training, and program development for students with disabilities in both higher education and private sector environments. As an independent consultant he has provided students, their parents, school personnel, and college counselors in private practice with up to date information and planning tools essential for successful transition outcomes. As a Disability Services administrator, Dr. Cunningham developed a mentoring program for students on the Autism Spectrum, which focused on socialization and executive functioning skills. He has a keen interest in empowering those with mental health issues to become strong self-advocates and is currently involved in case management work and promoting community awareness.
As a Transition Specialist, Dr. Cunningham assists students and their families with identifying and analyzing postsecondary environments that are a “best fit” for the student. This may include researching the support services available at colleges of interest, working with the student to sharpen their self-advocacy skills, participating in IEP meetings, and assisting the student in becoming fully aware of the nature of their disability, and what accommodations will be most effective. He also offers support to those seeking employment in understanding and negotiating reasonable accommodations, and to parents seeking to empower their child to become independent.
Personally, Dr. Cunningham enjoys playing basketball, training in Krav Maga, and practicing yoga as a way to keep the mind and body in shape. He also enjoys being a grandparent and all the joy that this brings. He believes that being part of the team at CHLA is both inspiring and rewarding and enhances his ability to do the work he loves.
