I’ve worked with autistic people since 2001 when I started as a tutor in a home ABA program for a 7-year-old autistic child. I saw first hand how the tools of ABA helped an otherwise very isolated kid become meaningfully connected to his family and caregivers. It was the success I had with him, and the playfulness and creativity we shared, that drew me to pursuing a profession in behavior analysis.
As a substitute paraeducator in Portland Public Schools, I saw dozens of children in special education classrooms, and was struck by the inventiveness and uniqueness of autistic kids. In 2006, I collaborated with the Autism Society of Oregon and the Regional Arts and Culture Council to create an art exhibit for autistic kids that debuted at a gallery during First Thursday downtown.
I was drawn to ABA because I wanted a career helping people, and I was drawn to autistic people because I admired their authenticity and uniqueness.
Before all that, I grew up in Texas, then moved to Portland in 1997 to go to Reed College to study Psychology. In 2007, I moved to New York City and got my graduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University. When I came back to Portland in 2010, I set up my business, Life Tools, and have been serving the community here ever since.
Creativity and movement have been important themes through most of my life, resulting in a lot of fun and diverse hobbies – fire dancing, crocheting, music and video composition, costume-making, writing, aerial dance, and many, many more. I consider meditation and mindfulness to be an important part of my personal and professional practice over the last ten years, and have been studying Zen since 2022.
I have a husband and two young kids and am on the board of my local neighborhood association.
Life Tools 