Supporting Solutions

I support students from preschool through adulthood with academic and developmental challenges in home, classrooms, and homeschool settings. I collaborate with team members, including parents, therapists, teachers, and medical teams as we work together to help students be successful. My relationship-based approach incorporates student interests to lower academic anxiety and create learning opportunities. I have over two decades of experience with neurodiverse learners, including those with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, autoimmune conditions, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, seizure disorders, and degenerative conditions. However, a diagnosis isn’t as important as an ability to connect with a student and understand how they approach the world & learn best.  

• Integrating therapy goals & recommendations 

• Self-regulation support

• Experiential and project based learning

• Curriculum adaptation to support successful classroom inclusion

• Preview and review of classroom curriculum

• Scaffolding and modifying outdoor education

• Life skills including community navigation, transit & supervised volunteer opportunities

• Cultivating hobbies and interests

Supporting Aides and Paraprofessionals

Academic and developmental work requires empathetic, dynamic support. I draw from two decades of experience in classrooms to provide initial and ongoing guidance for those new to classroom support. I help aides and paraprofessionals best balance the needs of the students with the realities of the classroom. The goal of support work is to continually adjust scaffolding to create opportunities for independence and success.

• Supporting successful classroom inclusion

• Observations of students and aides

• Thoughtful communication to determine strengths and areas for growth

• Integrating therapy goals into the classroom

• Social skills support for recess and playdates

• Navigating school hierarchy

• Catching small friction points before they grow

• Sourcing materials to facilitate independence

• Adapting & modifying classroom curriculum and materials

Supporting School Placement

Each family seeks an academic environment that is the best fit for their student. With more than two decades of experience supporting students in public and independent school classrooms, I work with families and share knowledge about the ever-changing landscape of Bay Area schools. Not all students learn the same way, and every school has a different approach.

• Observing current and potential placements

• Supporting school transitions