I am highly specialized in a niche area of education & transition to adulthood following child, teen, & young adult brain injury.
I received my Doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, specializing in Mind, Brain, & Teaching. I provide expert opinions regarding any pre- and post-brain injury changes, what to expect in the future, and recommendations for support and services into adulthood. I am the full-time director of the statewide BrainSTEPS Brain Injury School Consulting Program. BrainSTEPS supports all children who sustain a brain injury and return to school. I have held this position since the program's inception in 2007. My background encompasses special education for all ages, neurodevelopment, brain injury in individuals from birth to young adulthood, and post-high school transition supports and services.
I investigate brain injury from a functional, clinical, and neurodevelopmental perspective. I identify strengths and weaknesses in a child's cognitive, behavioral, socio-emotional, and learning skills by examining their home, school, and community activities of daily living after any type and severity of pediatric brain injury. Additionally, I have specialized expertise in the field of return-to-school concussion management policies and procedures.
My investigation into daily function is a highly nuanced area that requires expert interpretation. I determine whether a brain injury has impacted an individual's learning and behavior. Brain injury can affect skills that have not yet matured, depending on the areas of the brain that were damaged and at what point in development. New cognitive or behavioral deficits can emerge as the child's brain develops over time.
I determine the services required after a brain injury for optimal outcomes. I am skilled in the field of special education, brain injury school and community support and services, and proper identification of students who have been misidentified for services at school. I create comprehensive education and transition plans for students into adulthood.
Professional Credentials and Roles:
* Board of Governors: Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists under the Brain Injury Association of America
* Board of Directors: International Pediatric Brain Injury Society (IPBIS)
* Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer with Advanced Practice in NeuroRehabilitation
* Teaching Certifications: Elementary Education, Special Education, Reading Specialist
* Executive Board: National Collaborative on Children’s Brain Injury
* Well-Published: Brain injury peer-reviewed journals
* Presenter: State, national, and international levels
* Researcher in the field of brain injury
* Recipient of multiple state and national awards for work in pediatric brain injury
* Co-leader of the first National Concussion Return to Learn Consensus
Email:
Phone: 724-944-7744
Locations: Nationwide
