Ongoing Projects
My current work includes multiple initiatives that integrate undergraduate training, professional development, and high-impact autism intervention. Current projects include expanding the Spectrum Internship Program, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training, and directing the Autism Studies minor to prepare students for careers in autism services, while strengthening partnerships with clinical sites and community organizations. The Center delivers evidence-based social skills interventions through the PEERS program and supports student employment in partner clinics. Professional development efforts involve consultation with local school districts, customized training for disability service providers, and public education through regional publications. Community impact projects, such as the “Courage 2 Communicate” initiative funded by the Ohio State Bar Foundation, promote safety and positive interactions between autistic individuals and first responders. Additional work includes expanding parent training and exploring a master’s program in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Community Collaboration
Keeping Families Together
Stark Board of DD
The “Family Empowerment Respite Program” was initiated by Stark DD and funded through the Department of Developmental Disabilities. It is a program designed to empower families in our community who are caring for youth with complex needs.
Professional Development
Early Childhood Education Alliance
Parent and Teacher Training
A comprehensive training series for pre-school teachers on evidence-based strategies to prevent and respond to disruptive behavior in young children. Training include instruction on antecedent strategies, instructional management, and reinforcement and consequence techniques—ensuring that participants are equipped with practical tools they can implement immediately in home and classroom settings.
Curriculum Development
Autism Studies Minor
The Autism Studies minor provides unique opportunities to highly motivated undergraduate students who want to engage in valuable work that benefits their long-term goals related to careers in autism intervention, while benefiting the community at large. The minor includes the Spectrum Internship, RBT Certification, and coursework focused on developmental disabilities.
Conference Presentations
Recent conference presentations include:
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Mobilizing a Female Dominated Workforce to Initiate Needed Change as Leaders in Disability Services and Education. Panel speaker at the Women in Leadership Conference, Cambridge, MA. October, 2024.​
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From Reactive to Proactive: Strengthening Student Support with RBT Certified Teachers. Poster presented at the 50th Annual Conference of the Association for Behavioral Analysis International (ABAI), Philadelphia, PA. May, 2024.
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Healthy Heroes: Advocating for Quality Healthcare. Invited talk presented at the 17th Annual Autism Conference at Gwynedd Mercy University, Philadelphia, PA. April, 2024.
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Using Psychological Research and Clinical Training to Improve Undergraduate Student Experiences and Classroom Practices. Symposium presented at the International Conference of Psychological Science (ICPS), Brussels, Belgium. March, 2023.
Recent Publications
Uniquely You!
• October 2022: Courage 2 Communicate. Ohio’s Communication Disability Law
• December 2022: Hey! Why Wasn’t I Invited to that Party? Navigating the Holidays with an Autistic Loved One
• February 2023: Finding Time for Relationships, while Caring for Someone with a Disability
• June 2023: School’s Out for Summer! Strategies to Avoid Challenging Behaviors by Maintaining Routine
• November 2023: HEALTHY HEROES: Advocating for Quality Healthcare
• March 2023: Diagnosing Autism: What Families Need to Know
• September 2024: Tackling Safety Concerns
• April 2025: Embracing Autism and All Its Awesomeness
Courage 2 Communicate
In December 2023 the Spectrum Education Center was awarded a $22,500 grant from the Ohio State Bar Foundation to fund the Courage 2 Communicate program. The program promotes awareness about Ohio’s Communication Disability Law and helps autistic individuals, and their families, enroll in the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). In the case of an emergency, first responders are notified through LEADS that those enrolled with a communication disability may be in the vehicle, and this enables first responders to use positive behavior strategies to support the interaction. With increased awareness of the law and greater participation in LEADS enrollment, there is a greater likelihood of people with communication disabilities having a positive encounter with law enforcement.
Grant funds were used to help build community awareness about Ohio’s Community Disability Law and to teach law enforcement officers strategies for positive interactions with autistic community members.
