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Andy Bondy & Lori Frost - PECS

Meet the duo who combined their innovative ideas for helping children build functional skills and succeed in the classroom to design educational approaches that have improved lives around the world! Andy Bondy & Lori Frost are the co-developers of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), as well as the founders of Pyramid Educational Consultants. Their goal is to help individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and/or communication challenges learn to shape their own lives and participate in the world around them! Tune in to learn more, or visit: www.pecsusa.com

Shoshana Folic - Wishing' U Well

Shoshana is a high school student in southern Florida. She created the Wishing' U Well organization after seeing the social & mental health effects COVID-19 had on the special needs community. Wishing' U Well is a safe space where individuals can practice all aspects of their health from the comfort of their own home. They can potentially create new life skills, valuable lessons, and even make new friends along the way through Wishing' U Well's program, Fun With Friends! Tune in to learn more or visit: www.wishinguwell.org

Janine Kruiswijk - Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region

Janine Kruiswijk is the Executive Director of the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region, she has been with the agency for over ten years! The ASGCR's mission is to promote lifelong opportunities for people on the autism spectrum and their families, so they can be fully participating members of their communities. They are community builders... providing referral services, advocacy services, and so much more! Soon, they will be expanding to serve the Hudson Valley region as well. Tune in to learn more! https://www.asgcr.org/

 

Courtney Burke - HANYS

Courtney Burke is the Chief Operating and Innovation Officer at the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS). As chief operating and innovation officer, Courtney oversees all of HANYS’ operations and ensures optimal alignment of the Association’s various functions – from healthcare policy and advocacy to quality improvement and data analysis. HANYS is a nonprofit working to ensure that every New Yorker has access to affordable, high-quality care. Tune in to learn more about Courtney, HANYS and how they  help those on the spectrum! 

Dr Lina Bambara - HCPBS

Dr. Bambara is a Professor and Program Director of Special Education at Lehigh University. Her expertise in developmental disabilities spans over 30 years, and includes research in the areas of social and communication interventions, self-determination and self-management interventions, and positive behavior supports for individuals challenging behaviors. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Bambara and Home and Community Positive Behavior Support Network (HCPBS), a non-profit network support, providing free resources to families and providers interested in using PBS. Visit: www.hcpbs.org

Dani LoVecchio - Bridge Kids NY

Tune in to hear from Dani LoVecchio, the Executive Director and co-founder of Bridge Kids NY. Dani is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) in New York and New Jersey and is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of New York. Bridge Kids NY, located in NYC, offers a variety of services such as supporting parent knowledge and advocacy, offering professional training and supervision, and supportive services for children. You can find Bridge Kids online: www.bridgekidsny.com or on Facebook & Instagram: @bridgekidsny

 

 

Loren Penman - The ANT

Tune in to learn more about The Autism Nature Trail (ANT) at Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY. Loren Penman is the Co-Chair on this project which is six years in the making! The trail is scheduled to be completed for this years hiking season! The ANT is ADA compliant and accessible for visitors of all abilities and ages! This recreational trail will allow all visitors to push boundaries, explore new activities and develop skills. For more information visit: www.autismnaturetrail.com

 

Dr. Deven Unadkat - StationMD

Dr. Unadkat received his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a Master’s degree in health administration and policy from New York University. He is a founding member and the Chief Medical Officer of StationMD. While working in the ER, he saw the great needs individuals with disabilities have when it comes to finding primary care and acute care physicians. This led to him joining with two other ER physicians to start StationMD. StationMD is comprised of all board-certified emergency medicine doctors with considerable expertise in caring for vulnerable populations. They provide treatment for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled in Group Residences via telemedicine. Tune in to learn more! https://www.stationmd.com/

Harish Bikmal & Yuvraj Sethi - Zenaviv

Tune in to hear from a repeat guest! Harish Bikmal is the founder and CEO of Zenaviv, a social enterprise changing the way the world perceives people with autism, by celebrating their unique abilities and promoting their talent. Joining Harish is Yuvraj, the founder of the Buddy Program at Zenaviv. The Buddy Program strives to end the social isolation in people on the autism spectrum & the neurodiverse. Artists with autism are paired with neurotypical volunteer artists, the pair connect through their shared interest in art! Learn more or purchase art at www.zenaviv.com. 

Becky Large - Champion Autism Network

Tune in to hear from Becky Large, the founder and Executive Director of Champion Autism Network. CAN is a nonprofit autism awareness organization located in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Their goals are to: raise autism awareness, reduce criticism and judgement and help families with children on the autism spectrum develop a network of like-minded people and supports.

Visit them online: championautismnetwork.com