Dr. Mark H. Yeager, FAAIDD Clinical Director

Dr. Mark H. Yeager, FAAIDD

Clinical Director

Often referred to as the "Father of the Mississippi Autism Movement", Dr. Mark Yeager has been in service to person's with autism spectrum disorders and other intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1975. His experiences range form being a classroom teacher to program developer creating new and innovative community-based programs. Dr. Yeager has dedicated his professional career to bettering the opportunities for families affected by autism spectrum disorders through his advocacy and leadership in this field.

Dr. Mark H. Yeager, FAAIDD

The Yeager Group specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders and related Developmental Disabilities.

Dr. Yeager's career benchmarks include;  Chair of the First Autism Task for in Mississippi Co-Founder of TEAAM (Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi) First President of TEAAM First Executive Director of TEAAM Founder of Kamp Kaleidoscope, Camp Walapei and other Adventure-Based Programs Support Advisor to the Caring for Mississippi Children with Autism Task Force Author of the Autism Bill of Rights Co-Founder of The Yeager Group First Director of the Division of Autism Spectrum Disorders with the MS Dept of Mental Health Board of Directors, American Association in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Awards and Recognitions; Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, Pine Burr Area Council, 1973  Lt. Governor, Hi-Y Youth Legislature, 1976 Mississippi State Lions Band, 1977 University of Southern Mississippi, Spirit Director, 1979-80  Wood Badge Certified, Boy Scout Leader, 1982 Nominated for Karate Instructor of the Year, USA, 1985 Outstanding Young Men of America, 1986 Sixth Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, 1994 Expert Marksman, Law Enforcement Association of America Distinguished Expert Marksman, National Rifle Association Camp School Certificate, Summer Camp Programming, BSA Staff, Civitan Camp for Children with Intellectual Disabilities  Facility Instructor, Techniques for Managing Aggressive Behavior President’s Citation, American Association on Mental Retardation Governors Citation, Governor Kirk Fordice, CPM Model Project Paul D. Cotten, Ph.D. Leadership Award, Mississippi AAMR Partnership Award for Autism Services, TEAAM, 2001 STAR Award for Autism Services, TEAAM, 2001 TEAAM Lifetime Achievement Award, 2002 Fellow, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2002 Larry D. Scott Award for Individual Service, SEAAMR, 2003 TEAAM Executive Appreciation Award, 2006 James Stubbs Volunteer Award, MS MH/MR Commissioners Group 2007
License and Certification; Licensed Special Education Teacher (Ed. Hand.) Mississippi Licensed Special Education Teacher (Mild-Mod HC) Louisiana Certificate in Basic Gerontology, 1992 University of Mississippi, Medical Center Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, 1993 MS Nursing Home Adm. Board Certified Auditory Integration Training Practitioner, 1992 Georgiana Foundation,  Licensed Clinical Mental Retardation Therapist, Mississippi Department of Mental Health  Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist, Mississippi Department of Mental Health Licensed Mental Health Administrator, Mississippi Department of Mental Health

After a long career with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Dr. Yeager decided to leave state service in order to develop options for individuals and families as the Executive Director of TEAAM (Together Enhancing Autism Awareness in Mississippi). He works tirelessly developing new and innovative inclusive adventure-based programs for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and related developmental disabilities. These one-of-a-kind programs have become very popular and are blazing a trail in the social learning strategies of the groups. The flagship program that he created is Kamp Kaleidoscope, an adventure-based summer camp that host approximately 190 autistic campers each summer. Under Dr. Yeager’s leadership TEAAM has constructed the Center Ridge Outpost as the new home for Kamp Kaleidoscope and other year-round, adventure-base programs.
Dr. Yeager is considered the foremost authority in the State of Mississippi on the topic of autism spectrum disorders. However, his contributions are not limited to Mississippi. He is the author of the Autism Bill of Rights, a document that guides the service delivery system as to the obligation they have in serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders. As a result of this work, in 2010, Dr. Yeager was invited to the White House as the sole delegate from the Southern Region of the United States for his input on the reauthorization of the “Combating Autism Act.” He is also the lyricist for “A Life with a Different View”, an autism awareness anthem that is used to promote a broad understanding of the challenges and hope for persons diagnosed with an autism spectrum.
Dr. Yeager is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and has served as a adjunct professor both at the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University. Dr. Yeager both developed and taught the first classes solely dedicated to the topic of autism spectrum disorders at any Mississippi institution of higher learning. His teachings are greatly sought after and include a lecture series provided to the Minister of Education of India. This training series continues to be used as the foundation training program for teachers of children with autism in New Delhi and across the country of India. In addition to his many lecture offerings and presentations, Dr. Yeager is well published in several languages and consults with schools, universities and other autism programs across the United States. Over the course of his career, Dr. Yeager has worked with the icons in the field of autism. His broad experience and connection to the national and international autism community continues to grow as the field of autism evolves.
Dr. Yeager and his wife, Bridgette, have five children, two girls, Tiffani and Jordan and three boys, Garrett, Mason and Drew and two granddaughters, Carsyn and Lynlee. The Yeager's reside in Smith County, Mississippi and work as a family to further the opportunities and causes for persons with an autism spectrum disorder.