About Me
“I believe that we can welcome, care for, and support the happiness and success of all learners and all workers, including those with any diagnosis or disability.”
My interest in special needs inclusion started while working on my undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology. I was moved by the idea that with the right interventions, everyone, regardless of diagnosis or disability, can experience social, emotional, educational, and professional success. I worked first as a behavioral coach, and then as a specialist in developmental, play-based interventions with kids on the autism spectrum. After a pursuing a Ph.D. in Special Education, I discovered that, while I loved working with kids (and still do!), what really lit me up was seeing families, schools and organizations transform as they experienced how practicing inclusion works. I love that “aha!” moment, when small changes and new skills bring success and pride where before there was only failure and frustration.
I now have two decades of experience as an inclusion coach and consultant. My approach is to use play and relationship-based approaches to intervention, universal design thinking, and other best practices to provide customized support.
I am known for my expert consultation, community leadership, support services, universal design thinking, training, and speaking engagements. My specialty areas are the following:
Child education/Classroom Management
Child development
Creating inclusive environments at work or in communities
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Other developmental differences/disabilities
In my private practice, I have worked with children individually and in groups (I especially love running drama-based social groups). I have provided consultation for a diverse group of organizations, including preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools, after-school programs, community organizations, nonprofits, companies, and playground developers.
In addition to my private practice, I serve as the Director of Learning Support at Jewish Community High School of the Bay, an independent school in San Francisco. I spent the decade before that as the Director of Inclusion at Jewish LearningWorks in San Francisco, supporting families, schools, and community organizations across the Bay Area around issues of special needs inclusion. Finally, I am the Senior Play and Social Development Coach for JumpStart: Learning to Learn, a parent education program at the Autism Center of Northern California, where I have been since 2006.
Outside of work, I have a passion for theater, and even used to be a professional actor. I’m playful and a kid at heart, and you can often find me reading my favorite children’s literature (with or without my kids nearby).
Education:
B.A. in Developmental Psychology from UC Berkeley
Ph.D. in Special Education from the Joint Doctoral Program at UC Berkeley and SF State, Dissertation on the use of Integrated Drama Groups for autism intervention.
Additional training:
The DIR/Floortime Model (Developmental, Individual, Relationship-Based)
Applied Behavioral Analysis and Pivotal Response Training
Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and Emotion-Focused School Support (EFSS)
