Our Mission
The mission of NeuroDiversity Consulting LLC is to provide support to special needs families and to educate parents and the community at large about neurodiversity. The neurodiversty movement, from which NeuroDiversity Consulting LLC draws its name, starts with the belief that. "neurological differences are to be recognized and respected as any other human variation." (What is Neurodiversity?)
Following the principals of neurodiversity we seek to create a more positive view of autism and other special needs by educating those who have every day contact with special needs such as members of communities of faith, extended family members, neighbors, students, educators, service providers, and health care professionals. NeuroDiversity Consulting LLC also seeks to help families meet the very real challenges they face in meeting the safety and sensory needs of autistic family members. We also seek to create an environment that allows special needs individuals to meaningfully participate in society.
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Following the principals of neurodiversity we seek to create a more positive view of autism and other special needs by educating those who have every day contact with special needs such as members of communities of faith, extended family members, neighbors, students, educators, service providers, and health care professionals. NeuroDiversity Consulting LLC also seeks to help families meet the very real challenges they face in meeting the safety and sensory needs of autistic family members. We also seek to create an environment that allows special needs individuals to meaningfully participate in society.
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Meet The TeamSamantha Pierce
Founder, Executive Director
sjcpierce@neurodiversityconsulting.org BS Environmental and Forest Biology: Plant Science SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 10 years parenting special needs individuals 7 years advocating for special needs individuals in the Syracuse City School District On the job training and training seminars in Applied Behavioral Analysis, social skills development, managing anxiety, sensory integration, and navigating the IEP process Pursuing course work in psychology, sociology, and anthropology with a specific focus on studying how different cultures interact with autism “TAs a parent I have had on the job training in recognizing autism and working to create a loving, respectful, and nurturing environment for special needs individuals. My children’s ever changing needs have taught me to be flexible while planning ahead for unforeseen eventualities. My lifelong faith has taught me to value and respect the beauty and simple human dignity of every individual even those society would dismiss as damaged or otherwise undesirable. Each special needs individual is a remarkable creation with strengths and weaknesses to be aware of. I want to help people use their strengths to enrich their lives and the lives of others.” Sanchia A. Callender
Services Director, Home Modification Specialist, Family Advocate
sacallender@neurodiversityconsulting.org 9 years experience working with adults with Developmental Disabilities MA Counseling & Community Psychology projected completion date May 2012, Sage Graduate School Troy NY Intern @ Albany Medical Center, Behavioural Pediatrics 9/2011-5/2012 2001 Intern @ Center for the Integrated Study of Animal Behaviour Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana BT Animal Science AAS Agricultural Science SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill NY "I have to make every effort to improve outcomes for individuals society likes to label disabled. There is often a failure to recognize the ability of such individuals because of the focus placed on their disability. As is the case with animals, children and adults with disabilities or impairments often lack the tools for self advocacy or the individuals around them fail to comprehend information that is being communicated. My goals in life personally and academically are to educate, and advocate for individuals with disabilities, or different abilities, and their families, caretakers, service providers and educators." Tikatia I. Morris
Marketing Director, Blog manager, Graphics Designer, Parent Advocate
timorris@neurodiversityconsulting.org Over 10 years parenting special need individual 6 years member and leader of New Hampshire Head Start Policy Councils 4 years homeschooling children with special needs 3 years managing multiple blogs 5 years experience in graphic design as owner of Kat’s Eye Photography 2 years leadership and marketing experiance with Pulse Young Adult Church. "Every child is unique and has potential for greatness, our job as parents is to coax out the greatness, and appreciate the uniqueness and abilities of all our children." My son, now 10, was born with a rare brain anomoly, one that at the time didn't have much information as to a prognosis, and there were very few parents for me to turn to. As he's grown, and more information and research has become available, we've seen that his condition presents itself as an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and found amazing support within the autism community. Since his birth and subsequent diagnosis, 2 others of my children have been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorders (related to ASD) and one more has an overall developmental delay. It has become my passion to educate parents to advocate for their children as well to teach them to educate their families, friends and communities, because understanding truly helps lead to progress." Lionel A. CallenderProgram Development Team, Special Education Adviser
lacallender@neurodiversityconsulting.org 23 years classroom experience as special education support staff and special education teacher. BS Special Education Medgar Evers College CUNY MA Special Education Long Island University EdD Interdisciplinary Studies in Education expected completion date 2013 “Special needs individuals deserve a closer look that is designed to give them better opportunities and position them to reach the maximum of their potential abilities. We need to move away from a deficit model that is looking to fix what is broken. We need instead to focus on a strengths based model that seeks to identify and build upon the strengths of special needs individuals.” Simone O. Callender
Finance Director, Family Support Specialist
socallender@neurodiversityconsulting.org MS.Ed Social Sciences: Secondary Education, University of Pennsylvania School of Graduate Education Church of God Chaplain 10 years experience in finance and bookkeeping with various employers including: University of Pennsylvania, Thompson Institute, Exsa Americas, Renevazio, and Global Help for All/Grace Deliverance Tabernacle COG. "Inside each of us is the potential to do great things. I'm here to help others nurture and bring out the potential in themselves and their children." Tiffany J. Hicks
Program Development Team, Research Intern
tjhicks@neurodiversityconsulting.org BA Psychology: Forensic Psychology and Legal Studies, 2013 |
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