Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED AP is a leader in the design of environments for children and adults with special needs. As a Special Needs Architect and Certified Autism Specialist, Mrs. Cherry, Principal, Purposeful Architecture and Purple Cherry Architects, creates spaces that foster thoughtful living and learning environments and inspire creativity, individuality and independence. Mrs. Cherry is currently working on projects being designed and constructed throughout the nation to better serve our special needs population. In addition, she lectures nationally and writes regularly on the topics of environmental design and the impact architecture has on individuals with special needs.