2009 Presenters

KEYNOTE PRESENTERS

Liane Holliday Willey, EdD
Author, Communications Consultant and Asperger Syndrome Advocate
http://www.aspie.com/

Dr. Liane Holliday Willey is a psycholinguist and inspirational speaker who helps her audience truly understand the importance of accepting people with differences. All her life, Liane knew she was different, but only after one of her family members was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome did Liane realize the reason behind her own differences; she too was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Dr. Willey has authored several internationally best selling books including Pretending to be Normal: Living with Asperger Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome in Adolescence: Living with the ups, the Downs, and Things in Between, and Asperger Syndrome in the Family: Redefining Normal. Liane is currently the Senior Editor for Autism Spectrum Quarterly and the owner of an equine facility. Liane has been told she is unusual for one with Asperger Syndrome and she is dedicated to making sure her successes are not the exception to the rule for those with an ASD, but rather, the norm.

James C. McPartland, PhD
Assistant Professor, Yale Child Study Center http://www.autism.fm/
Associate Director, Developmental Electrophysiology Laboratory childstudycenter.yale.edu/del

James McPartland graduated magna cum laude in Psychology from Harvard University in 1996 and received a doctoral degree in Child Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington in 2005, studying with Dr. Geraldine Dawson. Under the mentorship of Drs. Ami Klin and Fred Volkmar, he completed a clinical fellowship at the Yale Child Study Center before joining the faculty in 2006. Dr. McPartland is a licensed clinical psychologist, and he leads a multidisciplinary clinical team in the Yale Developmental Disabilities Clinic. He teaches an undergraduate seminar addressing topics in autism and providing students with first-hand clinical experiences with local service providers.
Dr. McPartland's program of research employs the temporally sensitive method of electroencephalography to investigate the integrity of brain systems supporting social information processing in social disabilities. He is particularly interested in the developmental nature of social deficits in autism and the role that experience plays in shaping brain function and behavior over time. His work has revealed anomalies in temporal processing of faces in people with autism at the most basic stages of perception. His most recent research, supported by federal funds and a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation, demonstrates preserved brain specialization for non-social information in people with autism despite atypical processing of social information. The objective of Dr. McPartland's program of research is to develop biologically-based tools for earlier identification of autism and for the objective assessment of response to intervention. Dr. McPartland's research in autism has been recognized by a CTSA Scholar Award, an NIMH Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition, and a NARSAD Young Investigator Award.

OTHER DISTINGUISHED PRESENTERS

Kelly Barnhill, MBA, CN, CNN
Nutritional Coordinator, Autism Research Institute
Director, Nutrition Clinic, Thoughtful House Center for Children

Kelly Barnhill, MBA, CN, CCN serves as the Nutrition Coordinator for the Autism Research Institute. She is also Director of the Nutrition Clinic at Thoughtful House Center for Children in Austin, Texas. In her private practice, Kelly focuses on building appropriate dietary and supplementation protocols for children with developmental delays and disorders, siblings of affected children, and children with significant gastrointestinal disease. Kelly also has expertise in prenatal and infant nutrition.

Judy O. Berry, EdD
Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Tulsa

Judy O. Berry is a professor of psychology and chair of the psychology department at the University of Tulsa. She received her B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and her M.A. from Kansas State University, both in Speech-Language Pathology, and her Ed.D. from the University of Tulsa in Counseling Psychology. Her teaching and research interests are in the area of developmental and family psychology. She has authored books, book chapters, journal articles, essays, and poetry focusing on children and families, with particular emphasis on families that include a member with chronic illness or disability. She is the author of Lifespan Perspectives on the Family and Disability (2^nd ed.), published by Pro-Ed, and the co-author (with Warren Jones) of the widely used assessment instrument, The Parental Stress Scale. Her research with children and families is of broad interest within the academic community and beyond and has been cited in publications such as Parenting magazine and USA Today. She makes presentations about family life to both professional audiences and family groups throughout the United States and internationally. She has received a number of advocacy awards for her work in the field of disabilities, including the Tarbel Achievement Award and the Medicine Wheel Award, and she was named an "American Hero" by Newsweek magazine.

Dee Blose, MEd
Executive Director, Youth & Family Services

Dee is the executive director of Youth & Family Services located in Canadian County. She has a master's degree in education. She assists with the Oklahoma Autism Network and the Oklahoma Family Center for Autism, is adjunct faculty at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and is also a trainer in teacher registry. She is a graduate of the first class of Partners in Policymaking. She has been an advocate first for her son and then for others for the past 20 years. She loves to trains others with her goal to always provide hope and energy.

Emily Boyett, MS, SLP-CCC
Assistive Technology Curriculum Specialist / Speech-Language Pathologist, Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Emily has worked for 9 years providing assistive technology (AT) and augmentative communication (AAC) evaluation and intervention services in educational and recreational settings for individuals in all age ranges. Emily currently works for the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center on a contract with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, providing assistive technology training, consultation and assessment services to public schools throughout Oklahoma. Prior to joining the OATC she served as a speech language pathologist and assistive technology consultant for 5 years in the public schools.

Pam Clark, RN
State Nursing Director, Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Pam Clark, RN is the State Nursing Director forthe Developmental Disabilities Servicves Division (DDSD) Oklahoma Department of Human Services. She is also a graduate of the Oklahoma Certified Public Managers Program. She has worked professionally with the developmentally disabled for 29 years but also shares her 50 years of personal experience related to her brothers seizures. Pam's clinical skills include working at an ICF/MR, the community program for individulas with disabilities and recently in her part-time job working at a nursing home she enjoys the spirit of those who are older and their heritage and perspective of the world.

Kathleen Combs, MD
Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital

Dr. Kathleen Combs is a board-certified pediatrician who completed medical school at OU in 2004 and residency at Children's Hospital in 2007. She then obtained an extra year of training in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the OU Child Study Center and has been employed by Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital since July 2008. She shares an office in Yukon, Ok with her partner Dr. Melissan Lindenau. Dr. Combs enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Kim Cornman, MA
School Support Services, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Kim Cornman, MA is a Special Project Coordinator for Project PEAK and Early Foundations: Autism Model & Outreach Project. She provides training and technical assistance to two Early Foundation sites in Oklahoma City and Norman. In addition she consults with school districts and other professionals on evidence-based interventions for children with autism. She has a Master's degree in Psychology and holds a teaching certificate in Special Education. Kim was a Special Education teacher for six years and specialized in teaching students with autism, grades K-6. She has completed all coursework and supervision hours in Behavioral Analysis from The Florida Institute of Technology and is awaiting certification. She has expertise in behavioral teaching strategies and positive behavior support strategies for children with disabilities.

Regina M. Crone, MEd, BCBA
Executive Director, Teach Me LLC

Regine Crone is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, owner of Teach Me LLC, certified Special Education Teacher and serves as Vice-President for POAC (Parents of Autistic Children). She will complete her Ph.D. in 2010 and is part of the Systematic Training for Autism Researchers and School Personnel Project at the University of North Texas. She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and received her B.A. in Special Education and received her M.Ed. in Special Education and certificate in Autism Intervention from the University of North Texas. Mrs. Crone has gained over seven years of experience providing services to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. In addition to in-home services she provides consultation and workshops for school districts through the Central Texas Autism Center.

Judy R. Curley, MS, SLP-CCC
Speech Language Pathologist

Judy Curley is a speech language pathologist with Associated Speech Language Services in Tulsa, Ok. She received her BA from the Universityof Oklahoma and her MS from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, both in speech language pathology. She has worked in the field for 30 years in public, private and home health care. She provides assessments, management and consultative services for the preschool and early elementary population. She runs social dyads and social groups for children on the spectrum (ages 5 years to 13 years). She is on the board of the Autism Centers of Tulsa.

Liphard D'Souza, MD
Medical Director for Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Dr. Liphard D'Souza is a board certified Neurologist with special competence in pediatric neurology, clinical neurophysiology, and sleep medicine. He is a graduate of St. John's Medical College in Bangalore, India and was a faculty member of Oral Roberts University School of Medicine in Tulsa until 1987. He currently serves as the Medical Director for DDSD while also continuing active practices in Pediatric Neurology and Sleep Medicine.

Rene' Daman, MS, PT, PCS
Director, Oklahoma Autism Network, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Rene' is the director of the Oklahoma Autism Network at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She has been with the Department of Rehabilitation Science since 1999 where she has taught in the professional and post-professional occupational therapy and physical therapy programs. Rene' has worked with families and their children with disabilities, including autism since 1993 through early intervention, school-based services, and in clinical settings. She has provided training and technical assistance for providers who support children with autism and their families in early intervention, educational, and community settings.

Elizabeth DeGrace, PhD, OTR/L
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Dr. Elizabeth DeGrace is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She has worked for 20 years as an occupational therapist specializing in pediatrics. For her MS degree in occupational therapy, Dr. DeGrace examined mother infant interactions when an infant was exposed to cocaine in utero. She has worked in the NICU, in early intervention and school based settings. Dr. DeGrace worked as the supervisor of occupational therapy at the Baudhuin Oral School, now the Family Center, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida while completing coursework for her PhD. For her PhD, Dr. DeGrace completed a qualitative phenomenological investigation of family life when raising a child with autism. Since moving to Oklahoma City, Dr. DeGrace has worked as a consultant to SoonerStart, Oklahoma's early intervention program, served on the state wide autism task force, and holds an appointed position on the ICC Low Incidence Disability Subcommittee which is examining early intervention practices in Oklahoma. Dr. DeGrace is responsible for teaching entry level and post professional students in the areas of neurological rehabilitation, autism, culture of disability, community based programming and family. She has presented nationally and internationally on family life and autism.

Terry Dennison
Director of Educational Services, Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma; Adjunct Professor, University of Oklahoma Department of Health and Exercise Science

Terry Dennison is the Director of Educational Services for Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma and has worked with young people, parents, and families for more than 25 years. He is affiliated with numerous professional organizations on the local, state, and national levels and is an active volunteer in the Oklahoma City area. Terry has extensive experience training professionals in human sexuality and working with young people to provide them with the information, skills, and motivation they need to make healthy choices in their lives. He is known statewide for his efforts in the areas of sexuality education for people with developmental disabilities, HIV prevention outreach and education, and increasing family communication about sexuality. Terry is also an adjunct professor in the University of Oklahoma Department of Health and Exercise Science.
Terry and his work have been recognized with awards from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Red Lands Council of Girl Scouts, American Society for Training and Development, Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Primary Care Association, and Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund.

Donna Ferullo
Director of Research Programs, The Autism Society of America

Donna Ferullo is the Director of Research Programs for The Autism Society. She directs the environmental health initiative focused on research interpretation, policy and educational outreach on environmental influences on neurodevelopment and public health. She represents the Autism Society on the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative . and on the national coalition for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, a group of 40 diverse health condition, labor, environmental justice and reproductive rights groups now advocating on Capitol Hill for federal chemical policy reform. She has fifteen years of clinical software experience and is hard at work on creating an online infrastructure for treatment guided research. This web-based software will connect parents, clinicians and researchers in a data and knowledge repository that aspires to move the field forward through data analysis of integrated educational, medical and behavioral facets of autism collected simply on the web, with knowledge and references provided readily in return.

Stacy Goresko, PhD
Founder and Director of the Help Autism Center

Stacy Goresko, Ph.D., is an RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) Program Certified Consultant, specializing in the cognitive developmental treatment created by Dr. Steven Gutstein. RDI is designed to remedy the core deficits of autism and build skills for real life competence and fulfillment.
Dr. Goresko resides in Colorado where she is the founder and director of the Help Autism Center. She has given numerous workshops, lectures and presentations across the country on autism and RDI. The parent of a child on the autism spectrum, Dr. Goresko says RDI has made a major difference in her own family's life. As a consultant for individual families, she helps parents regain control of their parenting skills and improve their connection with their child. She conducts training and staff development for schools on topics such as Helping Children in the Autism Spectrum at School, Building Social Relationships with Children with ASD, Efffective Communication in the Classroom, and Social Strategies for the Classroom Environment.
Dr. Goresko has designed and implemented school-based and home-based educational programs for children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Goresko was a classroom teacher for grade levels from pre-kindergarten through college from 1985-2003. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania. You can find out more about Dr. Goresko, RDI, and her Help Autism Center at http://www.help-autism.com/.

Mary Green, CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer)
Owner, K9 Manners & More of Oklahoma
Trainer, Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma

Mary is the owner of K9 Manners & More Dog Training Center in Broken Arrow. She is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, she is a CCPD-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowlege Assessed, and is an associate member consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

In 2002, Mary and fellow trainer Kim Sykes began training assistance dogs, and working with owner/trainers of assistance dogs. In 2005, Mary Green, Kim Sykes, and K9 Manners & More became the trainers for Therapetics Service Dogs of Oklahoma, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization located in Tulsa.

Wendy Huckeba, PhD.
Developmental Neuropsychologist, Able Kids Therapy

Dr. Huckaba received her Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Houston. She previously worked for The Psychological Corporation where she was the Project Director the WISC-III as a Process Instrument (WISC-III PI) and NEPSY. She has also been a faculty member in the graduate program for school psychology at Trinity University, teaching courses in research methods, statistics and assessment.
For the past ten years, Dr. Huckeba been a clinician in Oklahoma, and currently divides her time between Jenks Public Schools and Able Kids Therapy, a multidisciplinary private practice. Her clinical work focuses on children with developmental disabilities, learning disorders and neurological disorders. She specializes in working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum and related disorders, both individually and in groups.
Dr. Huckeba is a frequent presenter, invited to both local and national meetings to cover such topics as test administration, interpretation, behavior management, and various clinical disorders.

Rose Iovannone, PhD
Assistant Professor in the college of the Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies, Division of Applied Research and Educational Support at the University of South Florida in Tampa

Dr. Rose Iovannone received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Houston. Her Master's and Bachelor's degrees are in Special Education. Dr. Iovannone previously served as the assistant director for the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and a co-principal investigator in the Professional Development in Autism project (PDA). Currently, she is the Director of a federally-funded Behavior Research Center, the Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) Project. She also serves as the coordinator of Tier 3 in the Florida Positive Behavior Support Project. Dr. Iovannone is a board certified behavior analyst and has extensive experience in working with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, learning disabilities and emotional disabilities. Her principal activities and research interests have been in the areas of autism and related disabilities, functional behavior assessment and positive behavior supports, augmentative/alternative communication, and assessment/evaluation.

Gary Jones, PhD
Counseling Psychologist

Dr. Jones completed his doctoral work at the University of Oklahoma and has a post-doctoral certificate in neuropsychology from Fielding Institute. He is currently complete certification as a DIR/Floortime clinician. Dr. Jones has 17 years experience as a minister and 13 years as a counseling psychologist.

Marcialee Ledbetter, MD
Medical Director, Riverside Behavioral Health

Dr. Ledbetter is board certified in general, child and adolescent psychiatry. Prior to practicing medicine, she was a speech language pathologist at Chapman Clinic at the University of Tulsa. She completed her medical degree at the University of Oklahoma-College of Medicine, Tulsa in 1989. Post-graduate training included an internship in pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, a residency in psychiatry at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to returning home to Oklahoma, she was an Assistant Professor and Director of the Child and adolescent Psychopharmacology Clinic at the University of Chicago. In addition, she was the consulting psychiatrist to the Hyperactivity, Attention, and Learing Problems Clinic at the University of Chicago. She was a faculty member in the departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa for seven years during which time she provided outpatient consultation services for pediatricians and psychiatric residents at OU. In 2006 she left to become Medical Director of the new Riverside Specialty Program developed through Shadow Mountain Behavioral Health System where residential care is provided through four specialty programs: adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, adolescents with developmental delay, and children and adolescents with reactive attachement disorder. In 2009 she was named to Best Doctors in America.

Thomas Lock, MD
Associate Professor, OUHSC/Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Thomas Lock, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He serves as the director for the OU Child Study Center. He graduated with honors from University of Wisconsin Medical School. He completed his residency in Pediatrics at Yale New Haven Hospital. Dr. Lock is board certified in the fields of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics.

James Martin, PhD
Zarrow Professor of Special Education, Zarrow Center, University of Oklahoma

Professor James Martin holds the Zarrow Chair in Special Education at the University of Oklahoma and is Director of OU's Zarrow Center. Dr. Martin earned his Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Illinois in 1983 with a focus on transition. Professor Martin has authored several books, a couple dozen chapters for edited books, numerous journal articles, and several curriculum lesson packages, which include video and multi-media applications. Federal, state, and local funding agencies provided him more $8,000,000 to conduct his research and writing activities. He has conducted presentations and training workshops at sites across the US, Canada, and in Europe. In 2006 CEC's Division on Career Development and Transition awarded Professor Martin the Oliver P. Kolstoe Award for his efforts to improve the quality and access to career and transition services for people with disabilities. He is also the editor for AHEAD's Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disabilities.

His professional interests focus upon the transition of youth with disabilities from school into further postsecondary education and the workforce, and what must be done to facilitate success in high school and postsecondary environments. In particular he examines the application of self-determination methodology to educational and workplace settings.

Lara M. Mattox, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, Tulsa Developmental Pediatrics & Center for Family Psychology

Dr. Mattox carried out her doctoral work at the University of Tulsa, and completed her pre-doctoral internship at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute (now called the UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital). She then did two years of post-doctoral work at the UCLA Autism Evaluation Clinic, where she received ongoing training with the "gold-standard" Autism diagnostic instrument, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). She has sine completed advanced ADOS training as well. Dr. Mattox has worked at Tulsa Developmental Pediatrics & Center for Family Psychology since April of 2006 as a clinical psychologist. She specializes in diagnostic evaluations of children, adolescents, and adults for Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and learning disorders. She has provided teacher in-service training, attended IEP and other child-centered school meetings, and conducted parent training groups.

Bonnie McBride, PhD, BCBA
Assistant Professor, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and the Director of Early Foundations: Model Program and Outreach Project for Toddlers with Autism

Bonnie McBride did her doctoral work at the University of Washington which is an NIH Center of Excellence in Autism Research. She served as the Coordinator for the Professional Development in Autism Center at the University of Washington. She has directed outreach and replication activities for the Project DATA model (Developmentally Appropriate Treatment for Autism). She served on the planning committee for the Autism Center at the UW Center for Human Development and Disability. She speaks and publishes regularly regarding evidence-based practices for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Jennifer Sollars Millers, BS Health Promotion
Resource Director and Co-Founder, Autism Center of Tulsa
Chairman - Special Needs Committee, Safekids Coalition

Jennifer Sollars Miller is the parent of two children, Josh and Reagan. She and her husband John live in Jenks. Jennifer graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1996 with a BS in Health Promotion. After graduation, she worked as a Sales Representative for Dentsply Endodontics. After a near drowning accident involving one of her children, Jennifer was asked to become a Parent Spokesperson for Water Safety with SFH Tulsa Area Safekids Coalition. She currently serves as Chairman of the Special Needs committee for the Tulsa Area Safekids Coalition, Parent Advaocate and Spokesperson for the Tulsa Area Safekids Coalition, and Family Advisory Board Member for the National Safekids Coalition in Washington, DC. Jennifer is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Saint Francis Family Advisory Council. Her responsibilities with the Autism Center of Tulsa including the oversight of all business and financial management, including fundraising, grant writing, and special events. She directs and coordinates safety program initiatives. She also assists with other programs, marketing and media appearances.

Diana Mobley, PhD
Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Mobley currently maintains a private practice in Norman, Oklahoma where she specializes in work with children who present neurologically-based developmental disabilities. She has a particular specialty in PDD and autism, and extends her work in this area into a variety of training and consultative relationships across Oklahoma. She maintains an active involvement with several school systems, the State Department of Education, OU Child Study Center School Support Services, Center for Learning and Leadership, and the Autism Society of Central Oklahoma.

Pamela Moore, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist, Able Kids Therapy

Pam Moore has been an occupational therapist for 16 years. She graduated from Texas Woman's University with a Masters of Occupational Therapy in 1992. She began her career in Houston, Texas working in a variety of settings from inpatient rehabilitation at TIRR, to home health for Texas Children's Hospital, to a private therapy clinic. She is certified in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), the Therapeutic Listening Program, has begun the certification process in Floortime, and has attended multiple sensory integration courses.
She specializes in working with children who have problems with sensory integration, motor coordination, arousal and regulation, and social skills. She started, Able Kids Therapy, a private clinic in Tulsa that hosts groups for children with autism spectrum disorders. She works closely with her colleagues Wendy Huckeba, PhD. and Karen Raines Riley, M.A. CCC-SLP.

Jennifer L. Morris, PhD
Clinical Child Psychologist (License Pending)

Dr. Morris was raised in northeast Oklahoma and received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Oklahoma State University. She received her doctoral degree from the Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Alabama, where she first began working with children on the autism spectrum. Through her work in autism clinics in Alabama and Arkansas, as well as advanced clinical training on the ADOS diagnostic instrument, she has developed a specialization in working with children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She returned in Oklahoma in 2008 and began working at the Moore Counseling Center. Dr. Morris currently works in this private clinical practice and provides diagnostic evaluations and individual/family therapy services for ASD children and their families.

Jan Moss
Director Community Leadership and advocacy, OK LEND Faculty
Center for Learning and Leadership/UCEDD/OUHSC College of Medicine

Jan is the parent of two adult children with developmental disabilities. She is Director of Community Leadership and Advocacy for the Center for Learning and Leadership, University Center for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities, OUHSC College of Medicine. She provides consultation, technical assistance and training to families, professionals, and agencies on family-supportive, self-determining practices and serves on state, regional and national committees. She is Core Faculty for the Oklahoma LEND, Maternal Child Health Interdisciplinary Leadership Initiative, OU Department of Pediatrics. She is a founding member of the MCH LEND National Family Discipline/Faculty Network. She is a contributing author to the MCH LEND Promising Practices Guidebook in Family Mentoring. In 2007, she participated in the first MCH LEND site visit utilizing a representative of the "Family Discipline".
Jan chairs the Family Supportive Health Care Network, along with the Center for Learning and Leadership's Family Leadership Council, supporting family members in leadership roles as advisors to health care entities which provides technical assistance to hospitals, St. Francis of Tulsa and OCMH. She manages the MCH Title V program Family Partners Project for the Child Study Center, Jump Start Clinic, OUHSC, in which families serve as interdisciplinary team members in developmental clinics which assess autism and developmental disabilities. She coordinates the training and involvement of family members and self advocates as faculty in course work for the College of Nursing course: "the Human Experience of Disability". Jan is the primary author of the Child and Personal Preference Indicators, a communication and planning tool for sharing the expertise of families about their children. She is a frequent presenter at local, state, national and international conferences.

Jennifer Moyano, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist, Oklahoma Autism Network, Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities, College of Allied Health, Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Jennifer Moyano, OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist for the Oklahoma Autism Network at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Jennifer has worked with children with disabilities, including autism since 1998 through early intervention, school-based services, and in clinical settings. She has provided training and technical assistance for providers who support children with autism and their families in early intervention, educational, and community settings.

Rachel Ottley, OTR/L
Occupational Therapy Department Manager, Therapy Works Outpatient Pediatric Clinic

Rachel Ottley, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist for TherapyWorks, an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic, in Tulsa. Rachel has 15 years experience in pediatrics, early intervention, outpatient therapy and schools. She focuses on treating autism spectrum disorders and is one of only two Level II DIR®/Floortime^TM Certificate Candidates in Oklahoma. Rachel received her B.A.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Sydney and has completed post graduate courses on sensory integration. Utilizing sensory integration and processing techniques to decrease the body's "flight, fight or fright" response, Rachel encourages increased play, interaction and exploration of the environment to help children stay calm, organized and engaged. In addition, she is currently working with a team of therapists to develop a specialized feeding program to address the complex issues related to eating in many children with ASD.

Rebecca Palmer
Guardianship Programs Manager, Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Rebecca Palmer has been the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Developmental Disabilities Services Division (OKDHS-DDSD) statewide guardianship programs manager for the past five years. In her role, Palmer provides direction and guidance for the guardianship program for adults with developmental disabilities receiving services from DDSD. She coordinates field staff and private contractors and provides training and technical assistance as needed.
Palmer is a member of the National Guardianship Association and serves on the board of directors for the Court-Appointed Advocates for Vulnerable Adults of Oklahoma.
Palmer holds bachelor's degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of Alabama. She has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for the past 26 years.

Keith Pirtle, MSW
Senior State Project Director, Oklahoma Systems of Care

Keith is currently the Senior State Project Director for Oklahoma's Systems of Care and the Principal Investigator for Oklahoma's recently funded Systems of Care Statewide expansion. He served as the Co-Chair of the SAMHSA System of Care Technical Assistance and Quality Improvement Committee from 2005-2009. In addition to his work in Oklahoma, Keith provides technical assistance supports to communities individually and in partnership with Coordinated Care Services, Inc., a New York state based consulting organization. Keith has offered on site consultation to several states' System of Care projects specific to infrastructure development and implementation. Keith initiated the development of the "Oklahoma Systems of Care Community Toolkit" which is designed to offer hands-on Systems of Care development tools and processes for new systems of care communities. At the national level, Keith initiated the development of the Single Coordinated Technical Assistance Plan that is being adopted by SAMHSA for use with newly funded system of care communities. He has presented at numerous national and local conferences and trainings on subjects including sustainability, financing, developing effective stakeholder relationships and partnerships, the effective use of data in system of care initiatives, developing systems of care in rural areas and the Oklahoma Community Toolkit.

Scott Roby
Project Manager / Marriage Education, Oklahoma Marriage Initiative

Mr. Roby serves Public Strategies in various marriage service and technical assistance capacities. He works with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) regarding strategic planning, development of service delivery strategies, assessment and selection of healthy marriage education curricula relevant to specific target populations, coalition building and coordination across multiple contracted sites. Mr. Roby also supports HHSC in the development of short- and long-term goals and maintenance of monitoring systems for site deliverables. He provides multi-level training opportunities and technical assistance to the Community Healthy Marriage Initiative (CHMI) and Healthy Marriage Demonstration Project (HMDP), including program implementation, workshop facilitation skills training, recruitment and retention and service delivery strategies. Mr. Roby also conducts site visits to observe operations and service delivery, provide feedback, assess necessary program improvements and disseminate findings through coordination of site-to-site learning opportunities. Further, he provides opportunities for sites to receive input and exchange of best practices regarding the marriage education field with a network of national experts. With 17 years experience in the Youth Service field, Mr. Roby has expertise in working with youth, low-income single heads of households, family systems and curricula training.

Tracey Spencer Walsh
Senior Counsel, Mayerson & Associates

Tracey Spencer Walsh, our senior counsel, graduated from Manhattanville College and Fordham University School of Law (J.D. 1994). She is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut and is a member of the bars of the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tracey's central role at Mayerson & Associates is to litigate at the administrative and federal levels. Tracey's litigation experience began at the New York office of Sullivan & Worcester, working directly with the late Hon. Howard C. Buschmann III of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Tracey also serviced international clients at Mendes & Mount, LLP, in various litigation matters and served as a pro bono Special Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan. In Westchester County, Tracey litigated for Griffin, Coogan & Veneruso, P.C. and Altimonti Law Offices.
Prior to working at Mayerson & Associates, Tracey was the Dean of Students for a private school in Rye, New York, where she had the opportunity to advocate for students with learning differences. Tracey has family members who have been diagnosed with autism.

Sheila Wagner, MEd
Autism Educational Specialist & Consultant

Sheila Wagner, M.Ed. is a long-time special educator and consultant to schools on the educational programs for K-12 students with ASD. She has published two books on inclusive programming for students with ASD and is a co-author for a pamphlet on Asperger's syndrome as well as a contributor to the book "Asperger's and Girls". Ms. Wagner is a national and international lecturer on educating students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ms Wagner began her experience in the field of autism over 25 years ago at Indiana University. She has been a teacher of students with Autistic Disorders, a teacher and school consultant throughout both Indiana and Georgia, and across the nation. Ms Wagner has worked closely with many counties in Georgia for over 16 years to build inclusive programs for students with ASD, and to improve overall programming for their student population with ASD. She earned her undergraduate degree in education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and her graduate degree in special education from Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Sherilyn Walton, LCSW
Family Support Coordination, TARC

Sherilyn Walton is a licensed clinical social worker and is the Family Support Coordinator for TARC. TARC is a network of programs advocating for the rights of citizens with developmental disabilities. The family support program provides one on one education and support to families who have a child with various developmental disabilities including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. Sherilyn leads and supervises several support groups for parents and children. She provides assistance to parents as they navigate the confusing world of special education and community services. A former special education and general education teacher, Sherilyn holds a BS in Deaf Education from the University of Tulsa and a Masters of Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. She has been with TARC for 13 years.

Kelle Wood Rich, MEd, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Owner/Executive Director Central Texas Autism Center

Mrs. Wood Rich has 20 years of experience teaching children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. She has been a charter certificant BCBA since the year 2000, has over 10 years experience assessing and developing treatment for this population of learners and over 10 years supervising teachers, therapists and consulting with school districts around the USA, and in Europe. Mrs. Wood Rich frequently presents at local, national and international professional conferences.
Mrs. Wood Rich and her staff currently consult with approximately 35 school districts and educational service centers throughout Texas and conduct workshops around the world training parents and professionals on how to teach people with autism utilizing the science of ABA and incorporating Skinner's Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Mrs. Wood Rich supervises a staff of BCBA's and BCaBA's in the center in Austin where they see approximately 30 children a week for ABA therapy.
After graduating from Texas Christian University, she taught special education for several years in a public elementary school. She then completed her Master's at the University of North Texas and returned to the same school district as a Crisis Interventionist, Behavior Resource Specialist and Autism Specialist. She was an associate of Dr. Vince Carbone for 10 years, serving families and presenting workshops around the world under his guidance. Mrs. Wood Rich moved to Austin to pursue her Doctorate at the University of Texas and to start CTAC. Mrs. Wood Rich has been an invited speaker at many professional conferences including the Texas State Autism Conference, the Texas Association of Behavior Analysis and the International Applied Behavior Analysis Conference.

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