Scott Adams, Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant
Special Needs Planning Center
Scott is the parent of six small children, three of whom have special needs. Scott has over 20 years of experience as a financial planner and specializes in working with families who have children with special needs in regard to long-term estate planning. He is co-founder of the Special Needs Planning Center. His firm was created out of the need for comprehensive planning services to assist families in creating a plan for ensuring continuity of quality care so their loved one will be protected and cared for far into the future.  The goal is to remove the stress and fear of the unknown and replace it with certainty and knowledge.

Melissa M. Armstrong-Brine, Ph.D.
MU Department of Health Psychology, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Dr. Armstrong completed her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at Saint Louis University. She completed a pre-doctoral internship in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and did her Post-doctoral Fellowship in neuropsychology at the University of Missouri, Columbia Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Dr. Armstrong is currently a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Health Psychology at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Clinically, Dr. Armstrong provides assessment and therapy services for individuals with a range of medical and neuro-developmental conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, at the Thompson Center. In addition to her previous training in neuropsychology, she has training and experience in pediatric psychology and a number of evidence-based interventions (e.g., Parent Child Interaction Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). Dr. Armstrong has a particular interest in neuropsychological assessment with individuals with medically complex histories as well as in developing interventions to address the psycho-social difficulties often faced by individuals with neuro-developmental disorders and their families.

Jon Bailey, Ph.D, BCBA-D
FSU Department of Psychology, Panama City Masters Program in Psychology
Dr. Bailey received his PhD from the University of Kansas in 1970 and is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Florida State University where he is Co-Director of the Panama City Masters Program in Psychology with a specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis. He is President of BMC, Inc., is a BCBA-D, a Fellow of ABAI and APA. He is Secretary/Treasurer and Media Coordinator of the Florida Association for Behavior Analysis, which he founded in 1980. Dr. Bailey has published over 100 peer-reviewed research articles, is a past-Editor of JABA and is co-author of six books including: Research Methods in Applied Behavior Analysis, How to Think Like a Behavior Analyst, 25 Essential Skills and Strategies for Professional Behavior Analysts, and most recently Ethics for Behavior Analysts, 2nd Expanded Edition.

Laura Barnes, M.S., BCBA, LBA
MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Laura Barnes has her Master’s in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and is Licensed in the state of MO (LBA). She has experience working with both children and adults with intellectual disabilities and behavioral problems.  Prior to joining the staff at The Thompson Center, Laura worked in a variety of public and private settings, including the foster care system, the school system, nursing homes, and as Director of Behavioral Services at a non-profit agency providing residential and day programming services.

Scott Bellini, Ph.D.
Indiana University, School Psychology, Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA), and Social Skills Research Center (SSRC)
Scott Bellini is the Director of Research and Clinical Services at the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA) and a faculty member in the School Psychology program at Indiana University, Bloomington. He is also the Director of the Social Skills Research Center (SSRC), a university based center specializing in developing and empirically examining the outcomes of social skill interventions for youth with ASD. He is a licensed psychologist in the state of Indiana and an endorsed Health Services Provider in Psychology. He is currently conducting research on professional development outcomes for educators, anxiety disorders, and social skill interventions, including video modeling for youth with ASD. He has published numerous research manuscripts and has provided consultation and training to families and professionals in over 30 states on the topic of social skills programming for students with ASD. He is the author of the book, Building Social Relationships, which was named the 2007 Literary Work of the Year by the Autism Society of America.

Barbara Braddock, M.H.S., Ph.D.
Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University and Knights of Columbus Developmental Center, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis
Barbara Braddock is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Saint Louis University. Dr. Braddock’s clinical and research focus is on cognitive communication profiles in individuals with neurodevelopmental disability. She acts as a speech-language pathologist at the Knights of Columbus Developmental Center, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Braddock is a certified PEERS provider.

Elaine Beussink, M.A., CCC-SLP
Southeast Missouri State University Autism Center
G. Elaine Beussink is a veteran Speech-Language Pathologist of 22 years who earned both her Bachelor in Speech-Language Pathology and Master Degree in Communication Disorders from Southeast Missouri State University.  Elaine has worked as a speech-language pathologist serving individuals with cognitive disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and emotional disturbance in Pre-Kindergarten through Post-Secondary ages.  Elaine has worked 18 years in the public school setting during which she was an In-District Autism Consultant (Project ACCESS trained) assisting educational teams in the assessment, placement and program implementation phases for individuals classified with autism spectrum disorder.  Elaine joined The Tailor Institute in 2007 as the full-time Clinical Director.  In 2009, she joined the core diagnostic team of the Southeast Missouri State University Autism Center for Diagnosis & Treatment as the staff Speech-Language Pathologist. Currently her role has expanded beyond diagnostics to include direct treatment and clinical supervision of graduate practicum students. 

Brooke Burnett, M.Ed., BCBA
MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Brooke E. Burnett, M.Ed., BCBA,   has her Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism from the University of Missouri at Columbia. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).  She has over 4 years of experience working with both children and adults with autism and other intellectual disabilities and behavioral problems.  Prior to joining the staff at The Thompson Center, Brooke worked as an implementer through Boone County Family Resources on a variety of early intervention teams in Columbia, and as a Senior Instructor at the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention in Southern California.

Nancy Cheak-Zamora, Ph.D.
MU Department of Health Psychology, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Nancy Cheak-Zamora is an assistant professor in the MU School of Health Professions and faculty member at MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. She received a M.A. in Health Psychology from Texas State University and a Ph.D. in Public Health from Saint Louis University School of Public Health. Her areas of interest and study include transition services for youth with autism, medical care and transition for adolescents with autism, health literacy and health legislation and public policy regarding individuals with ASD.

Mary Clark, B.S.N., M.P.H.
MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Mary Clark is the Senior Health Program Specialist for the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders and holds a Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Carolina-Chapel Hill. Since 1998, she has worked on a series of medical home research studies for children with special healthcare needs. She created and provided medical home training to Title V service coordinators and to the Family Resource Specialists employed at the three Missouri Autism Centers. Mary supervises the Family Resource Service staff  that provide care coordination and mentoring at the Thompson Center.

Kimberly L. Conrad, M.S., LPC, CBIS
Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services – Vocational Rehabilitation, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Kimberly L. Conrad  currently serves as District Supervisor for the Springfield South District Office for the Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services - Vocational Rehabilitation, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Kimberly has worked with VR for 9 years, with experience first as a counselor specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury and then later as a district supervisor.  Kimberly is currently a board member of the Southwest Center for Independent Living, Workforce Investment Board - Ozark Region, and Springfield Region Missouri Re-entry Process Team.  She holds a Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) as well as certifications as a Missouri Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Brain Injury Specialist.  

Colleen Dolnick, B.A.
Knights of Columbus Developmental Center, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis
Colleen is a Family Resource Specialist and Education Coordinator for SSM Cardinal Glennon Knights of Columbus Developmental Center in St. Louis, MO. She is a trained SOS Parent Mentor and has been directing families to support and resources within their community over the last several years. In addition, Colleen is a certified PEERS provider. Colleen received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Arizona State University. She a proud mother of a 12 year old with high functioning autism who has inspired her to be a strong advocate for all families of children with special needs.

Janet E. Farmer, Ph.D., ABPP
MU Department of Health Psychology, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Dr. Janet Farmer is the Director of Academic Programs at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.  She is a professor of health psychology and child health at the University of Missouri. Dr. Farmer’s research examines ways to improve quality of life for children and families affected by special health care needs, including those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She has a particular interest in advancing children’s access to quality care.

George Gotto, Ph.D.
University of Missouri Kansas City - Institute for Human Development
George Gotto is Director of Community Services at the University of Missouri Kansas City-Institute for Human Development where he coordinates the activities of the National Gateway to Self-Determination project.  He is trained as a medical anthropologist with an emphasis in cross-cultural perspectives on disability.  His current interests include the power of stories, self-determination, social capital for people with disabilities, preventative health care for men and women with developmental disabilities, and medical transition for children and youth with special health care needs and their families.

Mary Anne Hammond, B.S.
Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics
Mary Anne Hammond has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from Iowa State University, 1984.  She is currently the Education Coordinator for Autism and Related Disorders for the Section of Developmental/Behavioral Medicine at Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics in Kansas City. She worked as a Sales Representative and then National Account Manager for Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. from 1984-1993.  From 1997-2007 she helped start F.I.R.E., The Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education – a not-for-profit organization with the mission of helping children with special needs attend their home parish Catholic school in Kansas City, Missouri.  Her teenage daughter, Kailey,  has severe/profound MR and autism, is the reason for her devotion to advocating for kids with special needs. The Hammonds have been married for 23 years and also have Julia who is 15 and Daniel who is 11. 

Connie Hebert, M.S. Ed.
Southeast Missouri State University Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment
Connie L. Hébert is Director of the Southeast Missouri State University Autism Center for Diagnosis and Treatment. She is an experienced educator and consultant of 20 years who has worked as a classroom teacher, classroom based consultant for autism and behavior, and systems level consultant for school buildings and districts. Connie has taught students with learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, autism and emotional disturbance in kindergarten through 12th grade. In 2005 she was named Missouri Staff Developer of the year and in 2011 she co-authored the book Response to Intervention and Continuous School Improvement: Using Data, Vision and Leadership to Design Implement and Evaluate a Schoolwide Prevention System with Dr. Victoria Bernhardt. Connie has served as an advocate for children, families and professionals and endeavors to support individuals with disabilities across the lifespan by acknowledging the need for accommodations, supports and specialized instruction from an early age and continuing through adulthood.

Kris Hollenbeck, A.A.
Alternative Opportunities
Kris Hollenbeck currently serves as a Job Developer in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Pilot Program at Alternative Opportunities in Springfield, MO.   Mr. Hollenbeck has been employed at Alternative Opportunities for over 2 years where he started out as a Job Developer in their specialized brain injury program.  Mr. Hollenbeck's background in Law enforcement led him to AO due to his strong desire to help people on a more personal and individualized level. About a year ago, under the direction of Chris Davison, Mr. Hollenbeck was assigned to assist in developing and implementing the ASD Program at Alternative Opportunities. With hard work and dedication, this program is proving to be successful with over 12 placements to date and a 100% retention rate.

Leanne Hopper, M.A., BCBA, LBA
MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Leanne Hopper is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at the University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders.  She provides evidence-based, individualized, behavioral treatment and professional training for individuals with autism and their families. Leanne holds a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Nevada-Reno and is a licensed Behavior Analyst in Missouri.  She has been working with children with autism for the past 10 years throughout Southeast Missouri.

Dawn Huber, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist,  Pediatric Neuropsychological Services, LLC
Dawn H. Huber, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist whose specialties include pediatric neuropsychology and autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Huber completed a post-doctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in 2007-2008. She continues to serve individuals with ASDs and their families at the Ozarks Area Autism Clinic in Nixa and in her private practice, Pediatric Neuropsychological Services, LLC, in Rogersville, Missouri. She was actively involved in the development of the Missouri Autism Guidelines Initiative (MAGI):  Best Practices for Screening, Diagnosis and Assessment of ASDs and now serves as a member of the oversight committee and senior staff writer for the current MAGI project on evidence-based intervention for ASD.

John Huff, M.B.A., J.D.
Missouri Department of Insurance
John Huff was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon and confirmed by the Missouri Senate in February 2009 as director of the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration. Director Huff leads a department that protects consumers through the regulation of professionals and businesses that impact Missourians’ lives daily. The department regulates more than half a million insurance companies, banks, doctors, nurses and others. He leads a team of 550 employees. In September 2010, Director Huff was appointed to the U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. He is the only insurance regulator on the council, which was created by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act. In this role, the director has twice had the privilege of testifying before Congress. Director Huff is chair of the Midwest Zone of the NAIC, making him a member of the association’s Executive Committee. He is also vice chair of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission, a partnership among state insurance regulators through the NAIC. Before entering public service, Director Huff spent 11 years as an executive with leading insurers and reinsurers, including Swiss Re and GE Insurance Solutions. At these companies, he was stationed in two different European markets: London and Zurich. Director Huff earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University. In 1987, he earned an MBA at Saint Louis University, and graduated in 1990 from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He and his wife and daughter live in Columbia.

Spencer Hunley, Research Specialist
University of Missouri, Kansas City - Institute for Human Development
Spencer Hunley is an individual who has autism and currently works as a Research Specialist for the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Institute for Human Development. He has previously worked on the Missouri Adults Transitioning to Healthcare (also known as the Youth Leadership Council) for the Missouri Partnership for Integrated Community Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs as well as the Youth LEAD project. His work experience developing the Youth Lead website, creating and facilitating an on-line youth discussion forum, assisting in the development of youth friendly informational materials, providing training and information on internet safety, and providing statewide information and referral services while researching cost-effective assistive and accessible technology gives him a unique perspective on disability and accessible technology. He is a sought-after speaker on open-source & assistive technology, and spoke at the 2011 Missouri PowerUP Assistive Technology Conference. Mr. Hunley also wrote an article featured in the Research to Practice in Self-Determination guide published by the National Training Initiative on Self-Determination and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.

Robin Jordan, B.S., R.N.
Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics
Robin Jordan is a Family Resource Specialist for the autism team in Developmental Medicine and Behavioral Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri and an Associate of Applied Sciences in Nursing from Penn Valley Community College.  She also holds a national pediatric nurse certification.  Robin has been employed as a registered nurse by Children’s Mercy Hospital since 1993. Robin has held a seat on the Autism Society of the Heartland board since 2010.  Robin is married for 29 years; and is the parent of a 27 year old son, who has an autism disorder. 

Stephen Kanne, Ph.D., ABPP
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital Autism Center
Stephen M. Kanne is Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Autism Center. In addition to overseeing the various clinics at the Autism Center, Dr. Kanne’s primary clinical activities involve assessing children suspected of having an Autistic Spectrum Disorder and providing general, outpatient pediatric neuropsychological services. His current research interests focus on children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, targeting diagnostic tools, behavioral phenotyping, co-occurring symptoms, evidence-based therapies, and subthreshold symptoms.

Paul Law, MD, M.P.H.
Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore Maryland
Dr. Paul Law is the director of medical informatics at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, as well as the principal investigator overseeing the development of the Interactive Autism Network (IAN). He is an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Law earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1997, and received a master's of public health degree from the JHU School of Public Health in the year prior. He completed his pediatric residency in 2000, and a health informatics fellowship in 2005 -- both at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Law has extensive experience in the design and implementation of health research studies in autism and international health. In 1996, he began a collaborative project with the Cure Autism Now Foundation to develop the Internet System for Assessing Autistic Children (ISAAC). Currently, ISAAC is being used by projects at the CDC, NIH, and academic institutions (both domestically and internationally). He joined Kennedy Krieger in 2005 to lead a project to develop the Interactive Autism Network (IAN), a new national autism database and to support other researchers at the institute through the discipline of health research informatics. As a consultant to the World Health Organization, Dr. Law is working on an initiative to develop an international on-line community of child health researchers in developing countries. His international work has taken him to India, Bangladesh, Egypt and Haiti. Dr. Law is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Informatics Association and Delta Omega, the Honorary Society in Public Health.

Micah Mazurek, Ph.D.
MU Department Health Psychology, MU Thompson Center
Dr. Mazurek received her B.A. in psychology from Yale University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She completed her clinical internship at the University of Alabama – Birmingham, where she participated in the Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program.  Prior to joining the Department of Health Psychology and the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Dr. Mazurek served as Assistant Director of Clinical Services at the MU Assessment and Consultation Clinic.  She specializes in work with children, adolescents and families facing a wide range of challenges, including developmental, health, behavioral, emotional, and academic.  Currently, her clinical work at the Thompson Center includes specialized assessment of autism spectrum disorders, consultation, and counseling for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.  Her current research interests focus on the social and emotional development of children with autism spectrum disorders.

Emma Murphy, M.Ed.
Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Emma Murphy has her Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia. She has nearly 4 years of experience working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities and behavioral problems. Prior to joining the staff at the Thompson Center, Emma worked as an implementer through Boone County Family Resources and First Steps. She also worked for the Child Study Center in Fort Worth, Texas, as a behavior analysis tutor.

Susan Palmer, Ph.D.
KU Schiefelbusch Life Span Institute, Beach Center on Disability
Susan B. Palmer is Research Professor at the Beach Center on Disability, Schiefelbusch Life Span Institute (LSI) at the University of Kansas (KU), and is affiliated with the KU Department of Special Education, School of Education.  She works on research and dissemination projects related to self-determination, access to the general education curriculum, and building family-professional partnership throughout the life span.  Dr. Palmer is a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas, College of New Rochelle (NY), and the Pennsylvania State University.  Much of her current work is inspired by her grandson diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

Noal Presley, B.A.
Resources for Human Development - Missouri
Noal Presley is the State Director of RHD-Missouri, a non-profit agency that provides supported living and day program services to people with developmental disabilities.  Noal’s service to people with developmental disabilities dates back to 1991, when he started out as a direct support staff in a group home working his way through college.  His work over the last 20 years has been a steady progression into greater oversight and involvement with program operation, fiscal management, supervision, and training.  In 2000, Noal established Cumberland Community Options, Inc. in Nashville, TN and served as Executive Director until 2006 when he relocated to Missouri.  For the past 4+ years, Noal has been the Director at RHD-Missouri. RHD-Missouri utilizes a shared home/shared life approach towards supported living services called the “Companion Approach”.  The development of this approach to residential services is based upon the resources and materials developed by the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services. At the current time, RHD-Missouri serves 24 people residentially in the Greater St. Louis area.  In February 2009, RHD-Missouri launched an art-based day program in St Charles County called “Blank Canvas Studios”.  The goal of the studio is to provide people of all ability levels with the tools and materials to create art, and the supports to define themselves as artists.  Participants in the studio are supported by a team of trained artists that strive to integrate the studio into the larger art community.   In recent months, RHD-Missouri has expanded its residential services to Kansas City, and has plans to open an art-based day program in March 2012.

Judy Reaven, Ph.D.
Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics (2004), JFK Partners, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, Denver, CO,
Judy Reaven is Director of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic, JFK Partners, at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She is also an associate professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine.  She received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri at Columbia in Clinical Psychology. Her professional career includes being a clinical psychologist, reviewer of professional journals regarding child psychology, psychiatry, autism and developmental disorders, as well as, psychopharmacology and a well-known researcher in the study of cognitive-behavioral assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in children with ASD. She has received numerous awards and is a frequent lecturer and presenter.

Michelle “Sheli” Reynolds, M.O.T., Ph.D.
University of Missouri, Kansas City – Institute for Human Development
Ms. Reynolds’ passion, knowledge and experience come from growing up as a sibling of a brother withdevelopmental disabilities. She serves as the Director of Individual Advocacy and Family Support at UMKC Institute for Human Development, a University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, where she has worked for over 15 years. In this role, she is responsible for projects that directly impact the lives of self-advocates and their families such as the Missouri Family‐to‐Family Disability and Health Information Resource Center, Disability Inclusion within Missouri Volunteer Commission and the HRSA Integrated Community Services Grant.  She recently has transitioned from providing direct support to People First of Missouri and Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered, the state and national self-advocacy movement for adults with developmental disabilities to now focusing specifically on policy and systems change at the national and state level centering on the supports for families with family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  She received her doctorate in Public Administration and Sociology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City with a focus on family support research and policy for families of individuals with developmental disabilities across the lifespan.

Jane St. John, Community Inclusion Specialist
University of Missouri, Kansas City - Institute for Human Development
Jane St. John is a Community Inclusion Specialist for the Missouri Family to Family Resource Center, at the UMKC-Institute for Human Development, UCEDD.  Jane specializes in Family Leadership and parent/family training. She was a co-trainer for the Missouri Planning Council's Guardianship: Options and Alternatives project.  Jane also serves on the Missouri Guardianship Statutory Reform Task Force.  Jane is the parent of three young men (21 year old twin boys, and a 24 year old step-son).  Jane’s son Ben has a developmental disability. She is a strong supporter of community inclusion, and has worked closely with her son’s school district to promote inclusive practices. Jane and her family made the decision to pursue alternatives to guardianship for her son Ben.

Jamie Severtson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
MU Department of Health Psychology, Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Jamie M. Severtson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Psychology and Co-director of Intervention Services Division at the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bradley University, and her master’s degree in behavior analysis and doctoral degree in psychology from Western Michigan University.  Dr. Severtson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who provides outpatient behavioral intervention with a focus on training parents as implementers to reduce problem behavior and increase functional skills, such as toileting and communication.

Brenda Simmons, M.S.
Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services – Vocational Rehabilitation, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Brenda K. Simmons currently serves as a Regional Director of Development and Evaluation and the statewide Director of Transition Services for the Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services - Vocational Rehabilitation, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Brenda has worked with VR for 25 years, with experience first as a transition counselor and then later as a district supervisor.  Brenda is currently an advisory board member of the Missouri Interagency Transition Team (MITT), as well as two Missouri grant funded initiatives focusing on employment for transition age youth (“Add Us In” Grant, and “Show Me Careers” Grant), a member of the Missouri Alliance for Full Participation (AFP), the National Rehabilitation Association, the State Employment Leadership Network (SELN), the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Youth Coalition Missouri Rapid Response Project, and has served on the advisory board of the National Secondary Transition and Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC), Missouri Parent Training and Information Center (MPACT), and the national planning team for the development of a Model State Plan for VR Transition Services.

Kristin Sohl, MD
Department of Child Health, MU School of Medicine, Biomedical Division, MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
As the Medical Director and Biomedical Division Director of the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Dr. Sohl leads the interdisciplinary team that serves children and families with a diagnosis of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She champions comprehensive, coordinated, standard of care and diagnosis for all children with a concern of autism. In addition to her diagnostic work, she heads the multidisciplinary Autism Medical Clinic including psychiatry services, dietary services, genetic counseling, behavioral consultation and others. She is the director of the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities rotation which provides Child Psychiatry Fellows the opportunity to manage patients as well as to experience and observe care of children with autism in the medical and psychology clinics and in the community. Dr. Sohl specializes in the diagnosis and medical care of children with autism and is the principle investigator at the Thompson Center for Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network.  She is currently Co-Chair of the Clinical Operations committee for the national Autism Treatment Network. She is highly involved in quality improvement work to provide seamless care to children and families across arenas including health care, education and state resources. She was instrumental in the creation of the Autism Toddler Assessment Clinic, the redesign of the Autism Medical Clinic and the advanced triage clinic. She participated with the Parent/ Professional Taskforce in developing The Thompson Center Guide to Services, and diagnosis-specific information for Autism, High Functioning Autism and ADHD. She is highly dedicated to improving family centered care and leading fellow providers to recognize associated medical and psychiatric conditions while empowering families to be their own best advocates.