Special LearningSpecial LearningSpecial Learning

Peter Gerhardt

Peter Gerhardt Name: Peter GerhardtRole / Credential: EdDSpecial Learning’s Designation: Subject Matter of Expert Transition in Practice Series: Q&A and Case Scenario Reviews with Dr. Peter GerhardtCompany Name: Organization for Autism ResearchCompany URL: researchautism.orgAbility to Contribute: Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the EPIC School in Paramus, NJ. Bio: Dr. Gerhardt has more […]
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Sarah Winningham

Sarah Winningham Name: Sarah WinninghamRole / Credential: MA, BCBASpecial Learning’s Designation: Subject Matter Expert of What is Autism?Company Name: Capella UniversityCompany URL: www.capella.eduAbility to Contribute: Sarah Winningham, MA, BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from Indiana.  She received her Master’s degree in Special Education from Ball State University with certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis […]
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Shawn Kenyon

Shawn Kenyon Name: Shawn KenyonRole / Credential: BCBA-DSpecial Learning’s Designation: Subject Matter Expert of Addressing Challenging Behaviors Ethically in Schools Module 2: Must-have Skills (and Understanding) for School-based BCBAs and Other Service ProvidersCompany Name: Company URL: Ability to Contribute: Dr. Shawn Kenyon, BCBA-D has been in the fields of Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education since 1995. […]
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Thomas Cunningham

Thomas Cunningham Name: Thomas CunninghamRole / Credential: PhD, Behavioral ScientistSpecial Learning’s Designation: Subject Matter Expert of Organizational Ethics & OBM Webinar Series-Module 2: Best Practices in Performance Management with Jon Bailey and Aubrey DanielsCompany Name: Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCompany URL: https://www.cdc.gov/Ability to Contribute: Dr. Thomas Cunningham is a behavioral scientist and the Chief […]
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Taylor Heinsohn

Taylor Heinsohn Name: Taylor HeinsohnRole / Credential: MEd, BCBA, LBASpecial Learning’s Designation: PanelistCompany Name: 360 Behavioral HealthCompany URL: 360behavioralhealth.comAbility to Contribute: Taylor Heinsohn, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 12 years and is passionate about supporting and teaching families so they can become experts themselves in the […]
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Tamar Varnai

Tamar Varnai Name: Tamar VarnaiRole / Credential: MA, BCBASpecial Learning’s Designation: PanelistCompany Name: Applied Behavioral Mental Health Counseling, P.C.Company URL: www.appliedabc.comAbility to Contribute: Tamar Varnai, MA, BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst originally from New York. Bio: She received her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University Teacher’s College and has been […]
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Tabitha Kirby

Tabitha Kirby Name: Tabitha KirbyRole / Credential: MA, BCBA, COBASpecial Learning’s Designation: PanelistCompany Name: The Autism Peace, LLCCompany URL: www.autismspeaks.orgAbility to Contribute: Tabitha Kirby received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in special education with specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University.  Bio: As an expert in the field of […]
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Mike Marroquin

Mike Marroquin Name: Mike MarroquinRole / Credential:PhD, BCBA-D, NYSLBASpecial Learning’s Designation:Subject Matter Expert of ADHD Strategies: Family Training and Involvement (RECORDED)Company Name: Mike Marroquin PhD, BCBA-D, NYSLBACompany URL: mikemarroquin.weebly.comAbility to Contribute: Mike E. Marroquin, PhD, BCBA-D, New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst Franklin Square School District, New York Dr. Michael “Mike” Marroquin, is an Autism […]
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Melanie Olson Giles

Melanie Olson Giles Name: Melanie Olson GilesRole / Credential: MA, MEd, CCC-SLP, BCBA, LABASpecial Learning’s Designation: Subject Matter Expert of SLP & ABA Collaboration Series: Using Collaboration to Generate Best Outcomes… QuickerCompany Name: The Verbal ABA Clinic@STGCompany URL: speechtherapygroup.netAbility to Contribute: Melanie is a dually certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and Board Certified Behavior […]
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Marla Root

Marla Root Name: Marla RootRole / Credential: Advocate ExpertSpecial Learning’s Designation: Subject Matter Expert of Training on the BACB Autism Task List Sections A & ECompany Name: Step by Step AcademyCompany URL: stepbystepacademy.orgAbility to Contribute: Marla Root is the Director of Community Affairs and Advocacy with Step By Step Academy in Worthington, Ohio. Bio: She […]
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Being an RBT for me was extremely fun because where were you going to find a place where you can be completely silly without having to worry what people thought about you? This was the only job that made me feel like I could make a dramatic difference while being myself.

I also liked to be surrounded by people that had the same goals of wanting to help kids and the teamwork made the job much easier and more enjoyable.

Change and progress was the ultimate goal for our kiddos. The early intervention program was seriously only a miracle because I saw changes in the kiddos that from day one, you wouldn’t even recognize who they were.

Changes from being able to utter 3-4 words where they can only make a syllable from when they started, the behavior decreases in which kiddo that used to engage in 30-40 0 self-harm to only half, learning how to wait during games, table work where they use to swipe and drop to the floor if they had to.

My favorite was when the parents would tell us what amazing progress they were making at home. I used to tear up and felt for these parents so much because it was already difficult for them and now, they can trust and rely on ABA and the therapists knowing their goal was ours.

By Emma Rogers, BA, RBT

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