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Founder and Visionary of Apex Social and apexINSPIRE
Susan Asay, Founder and Visionary of Apex Social and apexINSPIRE is welcoming all participants to the Autism Summit 2024
Sales Director – West Region
After many years selling advertising for companies like The Washington Post Digital, she joined Floreo to help spread the word about using VR to help our neurodiverse community aquire communication and daily living skills.
Floreo is the first VR therapy solution in the metaverse for teaching social, communication, emotional regulation, and independent living skills. Through our library of research-backed, clinically designed lessons, parents, therapists, and teachers all over the world are using Floreo to help students with a wide range of skills in a fun and engaging way.
Professor of Special Education
Diagnosed with Atypical Development and strong autistic tendencies and too sick for outpatient treatment Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalization. Nonspeaking until 4, and with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Stephen is now a full time professor at Adelphi University and adjunct at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, focusing on aligning best practice in supporting autistic people to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
Founder Parallel International Consulting
Meaghan is the co-author of The RoadMap Lab and Founder of Parallel International Consulting. She is a well-traveled Florida native who loves swimming in the ocean and hiking through the wilderness. She calls Atlanta, Georgia home and spends her summers climbing the mountains of the western United States. Meaghan is very involved in metro Atlanta and has been recognized for her contributions to the philanthropic and business community. She received her certificate in Performance Management and B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University and her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology. Meaghan sits on many non-profit boards and advises in the areas of early intervention, transition planning, workforce development and inclusive programming. She is an experienced entrepreneur who believes that collaboration, innovation, and a careful balance of confidence and humility are the keys to success. Meaghan is a proud wife, and a mother to two bold, smart, and accomplished daughters.
Program Director Apex Academy
Dr. Laura Bassette is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Applied Behavior Analysis/Autism in the Special Education Department at Ball State University. Prior to Ball State, Dr. Bassette earned her Ph.D. in Special Education from Purdue University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship with an emphasis on severe disabilities at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Dr. Bassette previously worked as a behavior analyst for adolescents and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Bassette’s research explores animal-assisted interventions and technologies to support academic and life skills in individuals with disabilities.
Clinical Director of Educational & Therapeutic Resources at Apex Social
Amanda is a licensed and internationally Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She is a certified elementary education and special education teacher and earned her second Master’s Degree in Public Administration grounded in leadership, ethics, and cultural awareness.
Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in educational, clinical, and administrative practice. Amanda is an active member and presenter of local and international professional associations and has been involved in legislative efforts. In her personal life, Amanda is passionate about public service through volunteering and disseminating ABA in other professional fields. In her leisure time, she enjoys the beach, boating, and exploring new places. Amanda and her husband, along with their 3 children reside in Sarasota, FL.
Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer Ascent Autism
Faraz is a co-founder of Ascent Autism, which provides group therapy for individuals with autism. Ascent Autism uses artificial intelligence to understand social skills metrics and provide personalized care plans for each participant. Faraz was also a co-founder of Vetspire, an electronic medical record system that utilizes AI to help predict and write doctor’s notes for them. Vetspire was acquired by Private Equity. Faraz holds an MBA, MS, and BS in Computer Science with Honors from Stanford University. In his free time, Faraz enjoys pursuing his passion for adventure, often found scuba diving or skiing.
Founder and Visionary of Apex Social and apexINSPIRE
Susan Asay, Founder and Visionary of Apex Social and apexINSPIRE is welcoming all participants to the Autism Summit 2024
Dr. Scott Mesh
Parents have high hopes for their children. Parent’s hope and dreams for their children begin even before a child is born. They also have fears. Thus, when a parent, teacher, or other person notices that something does not seem right with a child’s development it is understandable that this realization can be upsetting for the parent. Parents may have different fears and questions about their child’s development and they want the best for their child. However, fears can get in the way of a parent getting their young child help when they have developmental needs. Here are the most common 10 fears and questions parents have when they are concerned that their child may have autism or other special needs and answers and an approach to these parent fears. The conversation a professional has with a parent can make the difference between a parent helping their child early when it can make a big difference and the child not receiving the services they need. Answers will be provided to common questions such as those below:
1. Is something really wrong, or should I just wait?
2. Can I afford the services?
3. Will a Label hurt my child?
4. Will my child have a record?
5. Will Special Education hurt my child?
6. Will someone force me to keep my child in special education?
7. Will I regret it?
8. Can I trust an evaluation of my young child?
9. Will it make a difference?
10. Is it true once in special ed always in special ed, and then I won’t be able to get my child out?
Program Director
Hannah is the Program Director at Care Parent Network, a family resource & empowerment center serving Contra Costa County in the San Francisco East Bay. Hannah first received support from Care when her son was first diagnosed with autism, almost 18 years ago. She is passionate about making sure her agency can serve families and pay forward the support she received. Hannah has a Masters in Public Administration from Brigham Young University. She lives with her husband and two children in the Bay Area. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing hula, studying Hawaiian and seeing Broadway shows.
Founder & President of Advanced Reasoning in Education & Founding Principal of Cedars International Next Generation High School
Steven Zipkes, proud Educational Practitioner currently holds several positions as the Founder and President of Advanced Reasoning in Education: Think Global PBL Academies and Founding Principal of Cedars International Next Generation High School in Austin, Texas where he designed and opened his next 100% PBL, STEM school in 2016 and notably he is the former Founding Principal of Manor New Technology High School.
MD, FAAP
Kortney West, MD, is a board certified pediatrician who has dedicated her career to caring for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental and behavioral health conditions. Her passion is advocating for early autism identification and intervention, as well as spreading awareness of PANS/PANDAS and has worked in multiple positions to further these goals. Most recently, Dr. West founded Precise Pediatrics, which focuses on integrative management of behavioral and mental health disorders utilizing precision medicine along with nutrition and lifestyle changes to not only treat symptoms, but also determine and treat the root causes of illness. Dr. West is the proud mother to four children, two of whom are neurodivergent and the inspiration for diving headfirst into the world of integrative psychiatry. She writes about her personal experience with healing inflammatory brain conditions and chronicling her family’s journey in switching from the typical American diet to one that nourishes the body and mind.
Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Ascent Autism
Hye Ryeon Lee is the Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
of Ascent Autism.
Founder and Visionary of Apex Social and apexINSPIRE
Susan Asay, Founder and Visionary of Apex Social and apexINSPIRE is welcoming all participants to the Autism Summit 2024
Director of Advocacy, The Arc of Northern Virginia
Lucy Beadnell is the Director of Advocacy at The Arc of Northern Virginia where she oversees our region’s grassroots advocacy campaigns for people with developmental disabilities and creates informational resources for people with disabilities and their families. Lucy began volunteering with Arcs in college while studying vulnerable populations. She found her home in the mission of ensuring all human and civil rights for people with disabilities are respected. She has worked in residential settings for people with complex medical needs, as a case manager for individuals with public supports, and as a public guardian focused on empowering individuals to grow their self-advocacy skills. She has worked closely with families whose loved ones are leaving institutions, state and local legislators, and our community at large to share the mission of disability inclusion. Lucy is focusing a lot of efforts on Supported Decision Making, ensuring people with disabilities have independent and integrated housing, and reforming our justice system to better recognize and meet the needs of the disability community. She loves talking to people with disabilities and helping them share their stories to affect change. As a result of her efforts, she was selected as a 2018 40 Under 40 Awardee by the Leadership Center for Excellence and a 2020 40 Under 40 Awardee by the Washington Business Journal. Lucy is a mom of three adorable kids and lives with her family in South Arlington.
Assistant Professor of Special Education
Sergio Madrid-Aranda (he, him, his) is from Chihuahua, Mexico. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education from the University of Chihuahua and his Special Education Master’s degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of Juarez, in Mexico. Also, he obtained his doctorate in Special Bilingual Education with a certificate on Autism Spectrum Disorders from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
As the special education faculty at Augsburg University. His efforts are focused on promoting and maintaining a multicultural, inclusive classroom that supports the development of each student, which in turn, hopefully, they carry outside of the school and apply throughout their communities.
Entrepreneur, Global Business Coach, Mindset Coach
Janine is an award-winning entrepreneur, global business trainer, educator, and mindset coach. She is the Founder of Parents Empower Parents, an online educational platform for parents. Their latest course teaches parents how to start a successful business and shift their mindset to unlock their highest potential. Janine is the COO of Dad’s Organization and Co-Founder of Mom’s Organization, in-person and virtual communities for parents. She has helped thousands of people in business and personal – providing them with tools, guidance, and life-hacking solutions, unlocking their potential for success. Narrowing down the very best of her 20+ years of business expertise and experience as a single mum in a global lockdown, she built simple step-by-step life-hacking guides in the form of life-changing online courses and workshops.
Autistic Self-Advocate and Speaker
Andrew Arboe is a self-advocate who has over five years of professional autism/special education experience. Andrew has job coaching, public speaking, outreach, and even self-employment experiences that showcase his work on the transition to adulthood for individuals. Andrew is also a public speaker who is known for talking throughout the New England area about autism and his personal experiences. His specialty topics on autism include driving, employment/self-employment, sensory needs, and transition to adulthood. Andrew spoke for various organizations like AANE, YAI: Seeing Beyond Disability, Autism Services & Resources Connecticut, and US Autism Association. Andrew graduated from Manchester Community College with an associate degree as a Disability Specialist. Andrew is attending Charter Oak State College for a bachelor’s degree in psychology. His future plans include becoming certified in autism, special education, and coaching fields.
Family Advisor & Marketing Apex Social
We empower families by matching them with
compassionate, highly qualified and culturally rich, live-in child care professionals.
Nicole, Virginia, Victoria and Olivia will be talking about Olivia’s experience with her host family and her work with a host child on the autism spectrum.