Andrew's Gift
FACULTY
AMY SHEELY, M.S.,CF-SLP
Mrs. Sheely obtained her M.S. in Communication Disorders from Baylor University in 2021. She has worked in the field of communication for over ten years, specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). One of her favorite quotes is by Chole Rothschild, an advocate, writer, and presenter diagnosed with a visual impairment and autism. She said, "It's not about how much I can or cannot say verbally. It's about how much is still left inside." Everyone has a voice that should be heard.
KAILEY ZEAGER
M.A., CF-SLP
Kailey Zeager is a Speech Therapist at The Vista School in Hershey, PA. Kailey’s passion while working with her students is to help them find the best Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices and tools in order to help them communicate effectively. Kailey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Deaf Studies and American Sign Language and her Master of Arts degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Northern Colorado.
KRISTEN
ARNOLD,
M.S., OTR/L
Kristen obtained her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 2012. She was employed by TherAbilities Pediatric Therapy Services immediately after graduation, and enjoyed being part of their interdisciplinary team in both the clinical and school-based settings until shifting focus to spend more time at home with her two young sons. Kristen is currently seeing a handful of private pediatric clients through a clinic located in Carlisle, PA, as well as working with Andrew's Gift as part of their Literacy Project. She enjoys the diversity of experiences found in working with a pediatric population, and values a strengths-based approach when working with clients and their families. She believes that the incorporation of technology can be a significant means of utilizing individual strengths and interests to promote engagement in meaningful activities and social relationships.
SHANNON
WALTERS,
M.A., L.B.S., BCBA
Shannon spends her time with her three children, husband and two dogs. She has worked with those with special needs, focusing in autism, for over 10 years, and loves to work with technology, communication, and ABA to improve the lives of her students and their families. Shannon is currently a Board Certified Behavior Analyst working for the Red Lion School District. In her free time she loves to read, watch her kids play soccer and hang out with the family. She is still waiting for her letter from Hogwarts.
AMANDA
PENDLETON, M.Ed., BCBA
Amanda is a teacher at heart and began her career in Special Education at The Vista School, where she worked for 11 years collectively, teaching both students and staff. Amanda spent 3 years living and working in Paris, France as a consultant in schools for students with autism and enjoyed the opportunity to help further ABA practices internationally. She currently works on an IU Training and Consultation team as a Special Education Consultant. Amanda serves as the Clinical Coordinator of iPad Training and loves to plan iPad Giving Days to give a meaningful experience for the families and faculty. She loves traveling, is an amateur potter, and can’t imagine life without cats or superheroes.
BARBARA
WEBER,
M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA
Barb is a speech/language pathologist and a board certified behavior analyst with more than 30 years of experience working with people with autism and their families. She has extensive experience in using technology to support communication and is coauthor of a book about helping families with young children with autism. Her work focuses on collaborative processes to help people with autism communicate within their families, community and daily life.
LAUREN
LARRAMORE,
M.S., CCC-SLP
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, Lauren loves working with individuals to build their communication skills. She currently work full-time at The Vista School with Elementary School students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Ms. Larramore completed her Bachelors and Masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. She entered the field because she feels very passionate about assisting and building up individuals who do not have a voice.
ASHLEY
SNYDER,
M.ed
Ashley has worked in the education of students with various disabilities for over 18 years. For the last 11 years, she has worked as an assistive technology specialist. Ashley has undergraduate degrees from Lock Haven University and a Masters degree from Penn State University. She is the proud mom of two young children.
ANDREA
MERLO,
B.A., OTR/L
Andrea Merlo, B.A., OTR/L, is a 1991 graduate of Elizabethtown College with a B.A. in English (concentration in professional writing). She completed coursework and certification in Occupational Therapy in 1996. Andrea has specialized in school based practice for 21 years. She holds a certification in Sensory Integration from WPS. Her career path has allowed her to develop an extensive background in autism, sensory processing/self-regulation, transition preparation, and inclusive practices working with students in kindergarten through the age of 21. Andrea has utilized IPAD and computer based supports to promote students’ independence with daily school and home based routines.
CARLY
OPALINSKI,
M.S., CCC-SLP
Carly holds a Bachelor's and Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She has a passion for working with individuals with autism and teaching them that their voice matters, because being able to be heard is one of the greatest gifts in life. Carly hopes to continue her career in this field for many more years to come, as well as educate herself more in order to promote the most effective and meaningful communication for families and clients.
ABBY
HASSINGER,
M.S., CCC-SLP
Abby graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and her Master’s from Florida State University. At FSU she participated in a grant focusing on early childhood communication and the role that AAC devices can aid language development. She currently works in early intervention where she provides services to children from birth to three in surrounding counties. Abby’s focus is on supporting early speech and language development for children and their families, feeding/swallowing, autism and AAC. She splits her time between being a clinician and a clinical supervisor to new graduates who are completing their Clinical Fellowship.
HEIDI
Petschke,
OTR,L
Heidi is a pediatric Occupational Therapist with 28 years experience working with children and adults and their families and caregivers. Her interest in Assistive Technology began early in her career when she saw the profound impact that single switch technology had in giving people with physical challenges the means to actively engage in play, leisure, self-care and learning activities. As technology has advanced, so has her passion for helping people learn to use both simple and complex tools to maximize their engagement with the world around them.
LAUREN
Walter-Turner, M.Ed.,SLP
Lauren earned a degree in Psychology from Millersville in 2002 and began her career in at The Vista School as behavior support staff. Her experiences there sparked an interest in supporting communication skills and led her to pursue a Masters Degree in Speech & Language Pathology. She has worked with individuals with Autism for 15 years, working in both private and public school settings as well as programs for adults with a primary focus of supporting communication. She is also the proud and busy mother of 3 young children, a son and twin girls.
CHRISTINE
Kuhl,
M.Ed.,SLP
Christine is a Speech-Language Pathologist who received her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees at Bloomsburg University. She is working towards obtaining an Assistive Technology Specialist Certificate to enhance her knowledge in the area of AAC. She is working as a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist at Lebanon School District. She works with students K-12 with a passion of working with students in Autistic Support and Life Skills programs. She enjoys collaborating with classroom teachers, families, and other specialists to promote functional communication in multiple environments. In her spare time, she enjoys playing and coaching soccer, reading, and spending time with her family.
ARIANA
Graham,
M.S.,CCC-SLP
Ariana Graham is a Speech/Language Pathologist whose caseload at Central Dauphin School District consists of a diversity of students and currently includes three elementary Autism Support classrooms. Her caseload at Goepfert Speech Associates includes clients ages birth to adult with a variety of diagnoses. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with her B.A. degree at Loyola University Maryland, majoring in Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology and minoring in Special Education. There she achieved the First Year, Sophomore, Junior, and Overall Senior Speech-Language Pathology/Audiology Departmental Awards as well as Phi Beta Kappa and National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association Honor Society membership. Ariana completed her M.S. degree at Purdue University with a specialization in Autism and AAC. She completed her Master’s Thesis, “Experimental Evaluation of an iPad-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication Program for Early Elementary Children with Severe, Non-verbal Autism,” with Dr. Oliver Wendt’s AAC Research Lab and has presented at local, state, and national conferences. Her comprehensive clinical experience includes an ABA Autism Center, AAC Evaluation and Intervention Team, and Autism Diagnostic Team.
BECKY
McVaugh,
M.S.,OTR/L
Becky obtained her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Elizabethtown College in 2005. After working at The Vista School, she has been an Early Intervention provider for the last 14 years, supporting
children and families in their natural environments with a focus on children with autism. Becky also works with the literacy project through Andrew’s Gift supporting the implementation of technology in autism classrooms. She is thankful that technology can be easily accessed to
assist children (and adults) in communicating more efficiently, engaging with others and building social relationships, managing daily tasks and routines, and becoming more motivated learners.
ELIZABETH
Siddle
Elizabeth Siddle is a Behavior Consultant at The Cornerstone Agency of Pa, Inc. working with Teams & Adult Individuals to utilize skills for successful communication and behavior at home and in the community. Knowledge and experience with iPad and PC applications to support communication & behavior goals is a passion of hers. She values the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals in this field to grow AAC awareness and acceptance for all individuals. Elizabeth likes all things tech and if there is a glitch with a device, her motto is bring it on!
FERNA
Campbell
Salon Receptionist to Executive Assistant -Ferna got her start in the beauty industry, guiding woman on their skin-care/make-up routines at a cosmetics counter and also ran the front desk of a salon. She realized what she enjoyed most and excelled at was building and maintaining relationships, providing support and solutions. Ferna assists with managing processes, schedules/events and communications for Andrew’s Gift. During the day, Ferna is an Executive Admin to the VP for a home health/hospice organization, just recently married and is a mother of two.
FERNA
Campbell
Salon Receptionist to Executive Assistant -Ferna got her start in the beauty industry, guiding woman on their skin-care/make-up routines at a cosmetics counter and also ran the front desk of a salon. She realized what she enjoyed most and excelled at was building and maintaining relationships, providing support and solutions. Ferna assists with managing processes, schedules/events and communications for Andrew’s Gift. During the day, Ferna is an Executive Admin to the VP for a home health/hospice organization, just recently married and is a mother of two.
OLIVIA
Aloisi
M.S.,CF-SLP
Olivia earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Salus University, in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. As a speech-language pathologist, Olivia has found the most professional satisfaction working with pediatric clients including children with autism spectrum disorder and speech sound disorders. She currently works full-time as a speech-language pathologist in Chambersburg, PA at Keystone Pediatric Developmental Center. Olivia hopes to continue her career in this field in order to empower parents and families to facilitate language growth and communication.
LINDSEY
Reyes
M.S.,LBS-BCBA
Lindsey is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who has been working with individuals with Autism and their families since 2014 across school, home, and community settings. In addition to working directly with individuals with Autism, and their families, Lindsey also focuses on training staff on the basic knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis. Lindsey is currently expanding her experience in the ABA field by working for a virtual school to provide behavior services for students across Pennsylvania. Lindsey is very passionate about providing the most effective, evidence-based, treatment adhering to ABA principles for a variety of clients and their families.
DIANA
Mitchell
B.S., OTR-L
Diana is an Occupational Therapist with more than 30 years working in schools. She graduated in 1991 from Elizabethtown College with a B.S. in Occupational Therapy, and since has worked with students ages birth to 21 in Maryland, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Diana currently provides both Occupational Therapy and Autistic Support services in the schools. She is a mom of 2 grown children, and a grandmother of 2. Diana has recently joined the faculty of Andrew’s Gift and is excited to be a part of such a worthwhile organization.
TAYLOR
Grenier
M.S., OTR-L
Taylor graduated from Misericordia University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program with a pediatric specialization. After graduation, Taylor became a travel Occupational Therapist, where she got to work short-term, contract jobs all over the country in the home, school, and medical settings with clients of all ages. This experience led her to find her true passion, working with individuals with Autism (and their families!). Taylor is excited to continue to expand her knowledge and ability to help her clients achieve their fullest potential.
ERIKA
Amaya-Rojas
M.S., CCC-SLP
Erika Amaya-Rojas obtained her bachelors in speech language pathology in Colombia, South America. She later completed a specialization in audiology and a master's degree in speech and language pathology in Panama City. Since she received her degree as a speech therapist, Erika has worked in the clinical audiology field diagnosing hearing problems in clients of all ages. In 2010, she began her work in early intervention, providing services to children and their families in Spanish and/or English to facilitate language growth and communication development for her clients.
COURTNEY
Bentzel
M.S., CCC-SLP
Courtney earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Deaf studies at West Chester University. She continued on to receive her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Salus University. Courtney currently works full-time at The Vista School with Middle School students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her favorite part about being a speech therapist is working with children and giving them a way to communicate with their loved ones.
KRISTIN
Melnyck
M.S., CCC-SLP
Kristin received her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University with a minor in human development and family studies and master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Bloomsburg University. She loves working in specialized areas of her field and getting to problem-solve unique situations.
JESSICA
Eppig
COTA/L
Jessica graduated in 2018 and has been an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Vista Autism Services since then. Her passion is special needs and she’s worked with ages 6-21, even before going to college. She says the best part of her job is bringing lasting independence within self-care to individuals to give them more control over their body, and providing relief to their caregivers when each individual obtains that independence. In her free time, Jessica loves to read and attend comic cons in Cosplay each year.
