Melissa Stone is a Mesa-based Spelling to Communicate practitioner and native Arizonan. She is also the founder of Body Brain Connection. She is passionate about seeing individuals with sensory motor differences access reliable communication. Most importantly, she a mother to 4 amazing children, one of whom is an unreliable speaker.
Dr. JoQueta Handy is a speaker, author, educator, and Integrative Medicine practitioner who is opening new pathways to educate children with learning disabilities. Handy’s methodology is the result of extensive research showing that learning-disabled individuals are, in fact, exceptional in their capability to learn. They can be especially gifted in visual learning and are capable of reaching astonishing levels of potential if they are educated in an appropriate way. Handy has developed a holistic strategy that begins with nutritional protocols and progresses to employ the specialized visual and kinesthetic strategies that can leverage these individuals’ unique and tremendous strengths. Handy […]
Nancy Jelen earned a degree in Physical Therapy from Temple University. Worked at Hahnemann and Abington Hospitals doing patient and rehabilitation care. Mother of three children, two with autism, I have spent the last 34 years studying autism, treatments and interventions.Professionally, help establish an orthopedic practice and managed it for 18 years. Successful real estate investor and property managed a portfolio of dwellings. Worked 14 years as a monitor for IM4Q (Independent Monitoring for Quality) of Montgomery County. Co-authored and published […]
Maria Janik, CHC, RMP, BR, is the mother of two boys diagnosed with Autism in 2006. She co-founded Indiana Biomedical Kids (IBK) online support group for families in Indiana and around the world seeking alternative and traditional therapies to help improve the quality of life for their children. That same year Maria co-founded as a Board Member of the […]
Walter J. Lukiw BS, MS, PhDm, Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Bollinger Professor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA.
Jonathan Perez, better known by his less formal nickname “Johnny,” is a spelling to communicate practitioner at Transcending Apraxia in Oceanside, CA. He was introduced to the world of spelling in March 2020 by practitioner Dawnmarie Gaivin’s eldest son, Evan, who also doubles as Johnny’s best friend. He joined the Transcending Apraxia team in March 2021. An athlete all his life with a desire to help others, Johnny found himself working at a nutrition shop throughout college. During this time he would […]
Brian S. Hooker, PhD, PE, is the Chief Scientific Officer of Children’s Health Defense, an organization committed to the best health for children in the U.S. and worldwide. He is also a Professor of Biology at Simpson University in Redding California where he specializes in microbiology and biotechnology. In 1985, Dr. Hooker earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering, from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California.He earned his Masters of Science degree in 1988 and his doctorate in 1990, both in biochemical engineering, from Washington State University, in Pullman, Washington. Brian Hooker has many accomplishments to his credit including: co-inventor for five patents, recipient of the Battelle Entrepreneurial Award in 2001, and a Federal Laboratory Consortium Recognition Award in 1999, for his work on […]
Betsy Hicks-Russ is a leading expert with over 25 years of experience in implementing autism-friendly diets. Betsy has been speaking at Autism One conferences for two decades teaching cooking classes, nutrition for autism, and strategies for picky eating. In 2012 she wrote Picky Eating Solutions and this summer, she launched her Picky Eating Network Workshop for online instruction and support for parents and adults of all ages. Betsy is the CEO of […]
Brian Hall retired from Qwest Communications in 2004 as Central Office Technician after 30 years. Hired on, out of high school, when it was Mountain Bell. Daughter, Heather Hall Wilson, got divorced in 2004. She was living in Ohio with her son, Brian, and daughter, Kayla. Brian and wife, Marti Hall, moved their daughter and grandkids back to Colorado, where Heather was born and raised. Grandson, Brian Thomas, has severe autism, non-verbal and 24/7 care. It took over […]
Lindyl Lanham, DSH-P, B.M.E., B.S. Spec. Ed., began her career working with children with multiple diagnoses at the Texas Annex for the Deaf/Blind in the early 1970s. These were children who had been born deaf and blind, and many had what was then undiagnosed autism. She continued that career path for 9 years teaching children with special needs in multiple areas, primarily visually challenged but including those with autism and physical challenges. Sheretired from public school teaching to rear and homeschool her two sons, one […]
