Our facilitators are AANE staff, consultants, or volunteers who themselves are on the autism spectrum, have family members on the spectrum or have worked extensively with the Asperger/autism community.
Jess Alder, MPA has 15+ years of experience in the field of sexual and domestic violence prevention, designing and implementing curricula that engages youth and adult participants in understanding and addressing unhealthy relationship behaviors, including how racism and other forms of oppression intersect with violence. Jess has conducted local, national, and international workshops on healthy relationships, healthy breakups, media literacy, and crisis intervention.
Amanda Bailey is a Family Support Specialist at AANE and a COPAA and PTI trained educational advocate experienced with IEPs, 504s, post-secondary transition planning, and helping families work with their school districts. The neurodivergent parent of two autistic children, she has a warm, grounded approach when helping people with new diagnoses and figuring out what comes next. Amanda assists caregivers through support groups, parent coaching, and IEP reviews. Contact: amanda.bailey@aane.org
Stephanie Birkdale is the Program Manager at AANE. She co-facilitates the Boston Book Club for adults on the spectrum and also manages and facilitates the Women's Social Event series. Stephanie is also an adult on the spectrum and enjoys reading, knitting, walking, and web design. Contact: stephanie.birkdale@aane.org

Jane Thierfeld Brown, Ed.D is the Director of College Autism Spectrum, Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Child Study, Yale Medical School, and the former Director of Student Services at the University of Connecticut School of Law. Jane provides college consultations and is married with three children, the youngest being her 28-year-old son with Autism. Contact: jane.brown@aane.org
Nicola Brown is passionate about relationships. She helps people who want to rebuild and strengthen their relationships or get over life's hurdles that may be preventing them from having great relationships. In addition to her formal degrees in ecology and social work, she has trained with some of the world's leading experts on relationships and brings this knowledge and expertise to her work. Her startup KOKORO is: well being done well.

Michele Cantara, formerly Co-Director of Adult Services at AANE, now provides neurodiversity training on aspects of Aspergers/Autism. Her 30-year-old son is on the spectrum. She applies her lived experience along with 35 years of high-tech consulting and change management to her work with adults and parents of adults over 23. She focuses on workplace issues, parenting without power to improve family interactions and civil/criminal issues. Contact: michele.cantara@aane.org



Brenda Dater, MPH, MSW is the Executive Director of AANE and the author of Parenting Without Panic. Brenda is a mom of three, and her eldest is an autistic transgender woman who is currently in graduate school. Brenda has facilitated parent support groups for over 20 years and thoroughly enjoys creating an environment where parents can find the support, information, and community they need. Contact: brenda.dater@aane.org
Sarah DeCosta (she/her) has worked in the overlapping fields of intimate partner violence, public health, and education for two decades since earning a dual degree in Psychology and Studio Art. Currently serving as the Program Director for a multi-site youth program, her experience also includes crisis intervention and facilitating healthy relationship groups. She is neurodivergent, queer, happily married, and the mother of a new baby.
David Duval earned his BS in Communications/Media from Fitchburg State College in 1996. He began attending AANE pizza & game nights as a participant and volunteer and now hosts the event. Dave enjoys collecting music CDs of all genres, attending concerts, and skiing during the winter months. Contact: david.duval@aane.org

Allie Evans is a second year Doctorate of Occupational Therapy student at Boston University and one day hopes to practice as a pediatric occupational therapist. She was drawn to OT for its holistic view of health and wellbeing and the therapeutic use of meaningful activities as interventions. She is originally from Cincinnati and studied public health at The Ohio State University. When she's not in school, she loves to bake, journal, read, explore whatever city she’s in, and hang out with her loved ones!

Leslie Feinberg is the NY Resource & Referral Specialist at AANE and founded Supporting Our Young Adults Network (SOYAN) which she created to meet the needs of parents in the community whose children utilize NYS self-directed services so they may lead a self-determined life. Contact: leslie.feinberg@aane.org


Dena Gassner, MSW, Ph.D. Candidate is an Adjunct Professor in the Autism Certificate Program at Towson University. She is a contributing author to Spectrum Women: Walking to the Beat of Autism and a national board member for Arc US and has provided consultative services and given testimony to the Government Accountability Office in Washington and at the UN in Geneva. Contact: dena.gassner@aane.org

Brandy is the social media and community manager at Hiki App (a social app for autistic adults). Brandy attended the University of North Ga and Toccoa Falls College, majoring in Psychology. She and her husband Matt also have a podcast and social media presence called, “The Chronic Couple” where they share their perspective both being autistic adults.


Nicholas Haslam is the LifeMAP Administrative Assistant at AANE and also co-facilitates the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Interest Series and was first introduced to DnD over 20 years ago, but has been campaigning for the last five years. As a player, he favors gish characters. Contact: nicholas.haslam@aane.org
Becca Lory Hector is the Director of Training at AANE. She was diagnosed on the autism spectrum as an adult and has since become a dynamic autism advocate, consultant, speaker, and author. Becca has published multiple articles and books about life on the autism spectrum with the goal of spreading acceptance, building understanding, and encouraging self-advocacy. The creation of her international, grant-approved, virtual course for autistic adults, “Self Defined Living: A Path to a Quality Autistic Life”, is allowing her to help improve the lives of autistics. Contact: becca.loryhector@aane.org

Laura Graham Holmes, PhD is a psychologist and professor at CUNY Hunter College Silberman
School of Social Work. She specializes in co-designing and co-facilitating classes for autistic
adults on topics like healthy relationships, LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, and substance use.
Outside of work, Laura enjoys exploring NY and eating delicious meals with her partner and
twins.
Trish Huff, MSW, LICSW has a private practice in Western Mass. Trish began working with AANE by facilitating support groups for adults on the spectrum and serving as a community liaison providing information and referral. She co-led the start-up and administration of a local chapter and provided presentations on the autism spectrum for the community and local educators. Contact: trish.huff@aane.org
Bonnie Kaplan stays at the cutting edge of valuable resources, services, and research by attending many conferences and presentations each year. She is always interested in learning the latest information and gets tremendous satisfaction from sharing this information with members of the support group. Contact: bonnie.kaplan@aane.org

Robert Lagos holds a BS degree from UCLA and is a computer programmer analyst and statistician. He has presented at events and workshops for AANE, Sweetser, and Southern Maine Autism Conference and has mentored teens and young adults with autism. Robert is also a co-author with Wilma Wake and Eric Endlich of the book, "Older Adults: The Lost Generation" and is a “virtuoso” classical pianist. Contact: robert.lagos@aane.org
Aaron Levinger is the LifeMAP Data Entry Specialist and Administrative Assistant and facilitates several groups at AANE. He has spoken for the Understanding Our Differences program in addition to speaking to many groups of students and other audiences. In 2013, Aaron was given the Katie Lynch Memorial Award as Speaker of the Year. Aaron works other part-time jobs, including one at his local public library. Contact: aaron.levinger@aane.org
Kate Libby is the founder of Kate Libby Coaching. She provides individualized support to young adults who are seeking to enrich their lives, achieve their goals and define what success looks like on their own terms. She also completed the AANE LifeMAP Coach training program. Kate earned her Master’s Degree in Art Therapy and Creativity Development at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. She loves to work on projects in her art studio and camping with her family.
Toby W. Liebowitz is a retired special educator. She currently is a part-time reading Practitioner tutoring students with dyslexia. She also teaches Hebrew to adults in Rhode Island and in Poland. In addition, she facilitates support groups for adults as well as parents of adults with Asperger/autism profiles. She has members of her extended family with Autistic profiles. Besides baking and reading, she enjoys supporting others in sharing their challenges and successes with each other. Contact: toby.liebowitz@aane.org
Allyson Linehan is a Consultation & Coaching Specialist and a LifeMAP Coach at AANE. Allyson has worked over 30 years in the human service field and has a Masters in Pastoral Counseling from Boston University. She enjoys helping clients achieve their goals and dreams. Contact: allyson.linehan@aane.org
Stephanie Loo, M.Ed. is the Senior Family Support Specialist at AANE and draws upon her wealth of personal and professional experience to provide valuable information, resources, and support by phone through Parent Coaching. She initiated the AANE/NESCA Transition Roundtable, which resulted in expanded programming focused on transition planning and preparing our teens for college. Contact: stephanie.loo@aane.org
Linda Manning, MBA has a background as a special education consultant and also works at a non-profit organization serving seniors and individuals with disabilities. She is the parent of four young men, two who are neurodiverse, and two who are neurotypical. Contact: linda.manning@aane.org

Janeka Melanson is the Human Resources & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist at AANE. Janeka is married with two daughters and is a member of the board of the Special Education Parental Advisory Council and Parent Teacher Organization, as well as a Special Olympics Coach. She is an advocate of self-care and exercise, especially for those raising children with unique challenges. Contact: janeka.melanson@aane.org
Grace Myhill, MSW is the Director of Couples and Partner's Services at AANE and of The Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute. She specializes in working with neurodiverse couples who encounter difficult or unfulfilling relationship dynamics with their partners or spouses. Grace is also in private practice and works with individuals, couples, groups with other neurotypical partners or couples, and in intensive workshops with other couples. Contact: grace.myhill@aane.org



Anastasia O'Melveny leads the AANE Artists Collaborative and facilitates the Support Group for Adults Over 50. Contact: anastasia.omelveny@aane.org
Judy Omidvaran founded the Westchester County Autism Advisory Committee in 2009 to inform elected officials, policymakers, government agency management, and law enforcement of the needs of those with autism, particularly the unserved needs of adults. The committee meets regularly with the Department of Community Mental Health leadership. Contact: judy.omidvaran@aane.org
Pam Palmucci, MSW, LCSW received her Master of Social Work from Simmons University in Boston and completed her field placement for Threshold at Lesley University, which is a program for young adults who identify as having one or more disabilities. Pam completed and received certification from the Federation for Children with Special Needs Parent Consulting Training and remains active as a consultant to Boston Medical Center’s Autism Friendly Initiative. She is most proud to be the mother of three wonderful children, her youngest is a teenager and on the autism spectrum. Contact: pam.palmucci@aane.org
Nancy Parker, MSW, LICSW, is a Senior Manager of Adult & Family Services at AANE. Previously, Nancy has worked many years as a counselor in hospitals, colleges, and prisons, created mental health training programs for educators, and provided information, referrals, and support to parents of children with mental health issues. Nancy initially contacted AANE as a parent, when her daughter was first diagnosed in 2006. Contact: nancy.parker@aane.org




Erica Rémi is the Director of Development at AANE. Erica previously worked at the nonprofit organization Year Up and the consulting firm Development Guild. She has gained extensive knowledge about Asperger/autism profiles through working with neurodiverse colleagues, building relationships with AANE community members, and parenting a child on the spectrum. Contact: erica.remi@aane.org
Elizabeth Roberts PsyD specializes in the diagnosis and evaluation of individuals across the lifespan with autism spectrum disorder and other learning, developmental, and neuropsychiatric conditions. She currently practices in MA and NY and provides education and mental health with neuropsychological evaluation, psychotherapy, legal advocacy, consultation, training, and supervision. Contact: liz.roberts@aane.org
Marcia Robinson, MEd, CAGS is the Coordinator of Volunteer Services and a LifeMAP Coach at AANE. As a school psychologist who practiced in several MA school districts, she uses her expertise and experience to embraces the grandparents of individuals of any age with an Asperger/autism spectrum profile. Marcia offers a balance of information, support, as well as strategies for successful family experiences. Contact: marcia.robinson@aane.org
Elena Rossen, MEd (they/she) is a LifeMAP coach at AANE. Elena comes to AANE with experience as a formal and informal educator, across a range of subject areas and settings. They have a deep passion for creating spaces that celebrate neurodiversity and supporting individuals in accessing the tools and skills they need to reach their full potential. In their spare time, Elena enjoys meditation, hiking, creating art, and playing music in local brass bands. Contact: elena.rossen@aane.org
Emily F. Rothman, ScD is a Professor at Boston University School of Public Health and also a student in a licensed mental health counseling program. She co-authored a curriculum for teenagers about pornography and has experience teaching healthy relationships classes to teenagers with an Asperger profile and college students with mental health challenges. Dr. Rothman has appeared on the Today Show, NPR, CNN, Teen Vogue, and other media outlets. Contact: emily.rothman@aane.org
Bruce Sabian, LMHC is the owner, co-founder, and director of Academy MetroWest, a children’s group therapy program in Natick, MA. Bruce runs weekly social skills groups and provides individual counseling and executive function coaching services to children, adolescents, and adults. He also works as a consultant and trainer with schools and organizations. Contact: bruce.sabian@aane.org
Patricia Schissel, LMSW is the NY Director and a senior clinician at AANE. Her experience includes adjunct faculty at Adelphi University and at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University. She has served on numerous national committees and boards and has also played an instrumental role in the founding of innovative new programs that have achieved national renown, including Westbrook Preparatory School. Contact: pat.schissel@aane.org

Leslie Sickels, LCSW is a clinical social worker at Spectrum Services in NY. She specializes in working with neurodiverse couples, individuals with Asperger/autism spectrum profiles, and neurotypical partners. Much of Leslie’s work also focuses on gender, sexuality, and sex as they relate to the unique concerns of individuals on the autism spectrum. Contact: leslie.sickels@aane.org

Christian Tsetsos is an active member of the AANE Speakers Bureau and an adult on the Autism Spectrum. Christian has been giving speeches and participating on panels at AANE for ten years. He also works full time at a company that provides services to individuals on the spectrum. In his free time, Christian enjoys baking, hiking, movies, exploring different towns & visiting new places. Contact: christian.tsetsos@aane.org
Kelly Urban, LMHC is a Senior Manager of Individual & Family Services and a LifeMAP Coach at AANE. Kelly previously worked at McLean Hospital, using DBT to teach young women emotion regulation tools and other life skills to move forward in their lives. Kelly is passionate about supporting individuals, families, and professionals, to help navigate what an Asperger profile means for them or those they care about. Contact: kelly.urban@aane.org

Liliana Valvano is a social worker and long-time disability justice community organizer. She specializes in the helping people at the intersection of lgbtqia+ and autistic identities to celebrate and advocate for themselves. In her free time she likes to make collages, play music, and love on her dog, Muppet.
Ilia Walsh, MSEd, MBA is the Director of Individual and Family Services at AANE and the creator of the Autism In Real Life Podcast. Ilia is a mom of two young adults, one of which is autistic. She has over 25 years of experience with families, children, and adults through training, education, and support. Ilia is also a registered yoga teacher and also enjoys painting, dancing, and travel. Contact: ilia.walsh@
Ryan Walsh, BASoc is a Neurodiversity Training Specialist at AANE. Ryan is also a musician who is highly involved with music and podcast production and enjoys playing video games and spending time with his friends. As a member of AANE's Speakers Bureau, Ryan enjoys and appreciates the opportunity to speak on his lived experience as someone on the autism spectrum on topics related to self-advocacy, mental health, education, employment, and building meaningful connections. Contact: ryan.walsh@aane.org
Sam Warner is a Communication Specialist and works with leaders across multiple industries to improve their DEI policies and help Neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc) people into work and at work to achieve recognition, respect and understanding. She is also a Professional Speaker, TEDx Speaker, TEDx Curator, and Speaker Coach. Sam is Autistic and has ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, PDA, and SPD herself.

Kim Wutkiewicz worked in AANE's Development Department, where she wrote extensively about the unique experiences of people living with Asperger's and related profiles, particularly women living on the spectrum. Kim has a long history of working with individuals to navigate challenges and find balance, as both a board-certified acupuncturist and registered yoga teacher. Contact: kim.wutkiewicz@aane.org
Miriam Zisook, LCSW practices at Looking Glass Counseling and has worked as a designer on assistive and wearable technology. She looks to support and increase the power and participation of disabled people in technology fields. Miriam's work is focused on how learning to make things and solve problems like a designer can help people become more confident, competent, and empowered. Contact: miriam.zisook@aane.org