P RE S E N T E R S Elizabeth Koss
Elizabeth Koss, B.S., S/OT, obtained a bachelor’s of science in psychology with Honors at Lindenwood University. She is in the process of obtaining a dual master’s of occupational therapy and Ph.D. in rehabilitation sciences with a pediatric specialization at The Ohio State University and is expected to graduate with her master’s degree in December. She participated in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND) Program during the 2015-2016 school year, and will complete her second year traineeship in the 2016-2017 school year.
Jennifer Krumins
Jennifer Krumins is the author of three books on autism and the owner of Autism Aspirations. An educator with 25 years of experience in special education and the general education classroom, she is also a certified Excelerator™ coach. She holds a master’s degree in human development and applied psychology from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Krumins has studied at Queen’s University and Nipissing University in the area of special education and ASD. She is married with three children (one of whom has autism).
Allison Krupko
Allison Krupko is in her second year as a school psychologist and preschool coordinator in the West Branch School District. She completed undergraduate degrees in psychology and speech pathology at Kent State University and completed a master’s in education and educational specialist degree through Kent State’s school psychology program. Currently as a school psychologist at West Branch, Krupko focuses on implementing early intervention at the preschool level. She also completes all preschool evaluations and re-evaluations for middle school students with multiple disabilities.
Lois Kuhns
Lois Kuhns graduated from Gallaudet University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with Honors and a minor in Spanish. She was an intern in several schools in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and lived in Austin, TX, for ten years before returning home to Columbus, OH. Her deaf parents provided the opportunity to experience both mainstream and residential schools. To this day, Kuhns continues to observe how school environment can impact every child’s needs in mental, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. Kuhns is a mother to five children, and two of them are kids of deaf adults (KODAS). She currently sends her four children to three different school districts.
Alan Kurtz
Alan Kurtz, Ph.D., currently coordinates education and autism programs at the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies at the University of Maine. A former special education teacher, he has more than 30 years of experience working with individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities. Kurtz has conducted research on secondary transition for youth with ASD and has written about transition and employment for young adults on the spectrum. Kurtz has a sibling with ASD and serves as a guardian to a friend on the spectrum.
Molly Kurtz
Molly Kurtz, M.Ed., has worked for the Department of Developmental Disabilities since 2010. She implemented the formulation of a statewide infrastructure for the PLAY Project training of County Board of DD staff for families and children with ASD. She currently coordinates with OCALI to provide ongoing support to trained personnel. Prior to this, Kurtz worked for the Licking County Board of DD for 24 years as a special education teacher for children from birth to age 22. She served as director of education for 10 years before retiring in 2010.
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Julie LaBerge
Julie LaBerge is the associate director of special education for the Green Bay Area Public School District. She also teaches graduate courses on autism and positive behavior practices and is a co-author of an article on PMII. She coordinated the Bonduel School District’s model site project for the National Professional Development Center on ASD and has presented on PMII numerous times. PMII has now been replicated in Green Bay. LaBerge is the mother of 19-year-old identical twin boys, both diagnosed with autism. She also has a 14-year-old daughter.
ShyJuan Larkin
ShyJuan Larkin is a behavior specialist at Monarch Center for Autism in Shaker Heights, OH. Prior to completion of her degree in behavior analysis, Larkin earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Cleveland State University. Larkin has collaborated with applied behavior specialists, intervention specialists, and a speech-language pathologist at Monarch Center for Autism and Monarch Boarding Academies implementing direct intervention services for clients on the autism spectrum. She is part of a collaborative team that works directly with Dr. Howard Shane and his colleagues from Boston Children’s Hospital.
Marci Laurel
Marci Laurel is a speech-language pathologist with the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability, Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Programs, providing services and training across New Mexico. She has been practicing for the past 30 years, providing direct services, consultation, training, and student supervision in public school, private practice, and university settings. Laurel has presented nationally for the past 25 years on topics related to sensory processing and communication, family issues, and ASD, and is the co-author of several related publications.
Barbara Lechner
Barbara Lechner, Ph.D., worked in a hospital setting for more than 30 years as a speech-language pathologist treating speech/language/hearing/ swallowing/cognitive delays/disorders in all ages. Since 2010 she has concentrated on studying and applying autism research as she works with preschoolers to preteens in an effort to start model social and communication skills programs for those on the spectrum and to develop an infant program for all children. She has presented to parents and professionals at national (ASHA, OCALI), state (OSHLA), university (ECU, Denison University) and local levels.
Erin Lemcke
Erin Lemcke, BCBA, is the supervisor of adult services at Geneva Centre for Autism. She holds a bachelor of applied science from the University of Guelph and a master of science in applied behavior analysis and autism from Sage Graduate School. Lemcke began her career in intensive behavior intervention and has since filled various roles working with individuals with ASD and complex needs. She has worked in the field of developmental services since 2007.
Suzanne Letso
Suzanne Letso is the co-founder and CEO of the Connecticut Center for Child Development. She currently serves in leadership positions for numerous boards and organizations, and participates in the establishment of other service organizations and autism-related initiatives. She is a registered lobbyist for the Connecticut General Assembly and has worked as an advocate on a number of legislative issues in Connecticut and Alaska. She is a boardcertified behavior analyst, the parent of a son with autism, and the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts’ 2016 Jerry Shook Award recipient.
Jennie Long
Jennie Long, Ph.D., has taught at all levels, from early childhood through adulthood – in an early childhood special education preschool, an elementary autism classroom, as well as at the university level. Her Ph.D. is in special education with an emphasis in ASD and emotional-behavioral disorders. She has presented at state, regional, and national education and behavioral conferences. Currently, Long is an assistant professor at Emporia State University, teaching online courses within the early childhood unified master’s of science in education program.
Monica Quezada Lott
Monica Quezada Lott, M.S., is a certified PLAY Project and Teaching PLAY consultant, and a supervisor and trainer for The PLAY Project organization. She is also a training leader and expert DIR Floortime Provider, and a Profectum fellow. She received an M.S. in education from Mercy College in New York and has taught kindergarten and first grade in the NYC public school system. In 2008, she co-founded the Relate & Grow program in Columbus, OH. She provides training and educational consultation to parents of children with developmental challenges and conducts professional development trainings both nationally and internationally.
Alicia Lutman
Alicia Lutman, OTD, M.S., OTR/L ATC, is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Shenandoah University and a 2005 graduate from the program. She received her B.A. in exercise science from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Lutman has worked with students at SU to develop an education program for first responders working with individuals with autism. Her research has shifted to school resource officers and education about pediatric and adolescent mental health. She has clinical experience in both pediatric and geriatric settings with an emphasis on behavior.
Kathi Machle
Kathi Machle’s interest in child advocacy began as student at The University of Michigan Law School. When her third child was diagnosed with ASD, her vocation and avocation expanded to include the needs of individuals with disabilities. She has been active for many years in the Autism Society of Central Ohio, Worthington Special Olympics, and various other community groups. She is the managing director of the Autism Society Central Ohio.
Laura Maddox-Bechard
Laura Maddox-Bechard is working to develop an Early Childhood Center at OCALI while she is co-directing the Autism Certification Center and OCALI’s online learning. Previously, she served as early childhood special education coordinator in Lincoln, NE, supervising special education personnel, programming, and professional development. She also co-directed the Barkley Autism Project, a university-based ASD early intervention research and training project. As the state coordinator of the Nebraska ASD Network, she coordinated statewide training and technical assistance related to ASD.