I am delighted to have recently joined the IRCA team, bringing with me a 15-year career in education and psychology, and a deep dedication to the IRCA’s mission of positively impacting the lives of Hoosiers affected by autism.
My career began at Indiana University, where I earned my PhD in School Psychology. Since then, I have served in various capacities, including as a school psychologist, an undergraduate and graduate instructor, and the owner/operator of an educational consultation practice. Most recently, I worked as a clinician at a private psychology practice, offering both therapy and evaluation services. During this time, I worked to develop expertise in the area of adult ADHD evaluation. Further, I had the privilege of collaborating with IU’s Accessible Educational Services to support college students with neurodevelopmental disorders in accessing academic accommodations.
On a personal note, as the proud mother of a 12-year-old child with autism, I feel deeply connected to the autism community. Through my lived experiences, I intimately understand the challenges families and caregivers face in navigating educational services, seeking specialized care, and advocating against autism stigma and stereotypes. Raising an autistic child has been an immensely rewarding journey, enriching my life with lessons in acceptance, patience, and adaptability. It has further taught me to appreciate the beauty that exists in experiencing the world through a neurodiverse lens.
With great enthusiasm, I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the IRCA’s talented team of professionals, leveraging my diverse professional background and personal insights to further their efforts in supporting autistic individuals and their loved ones. My hope is that we can together make meaningful strides in fostering understanding, acceptance, and empowerment within the autism community.