2023 Keynote Speaker
2022 Conference Speakers
Lisa Story
11:30 Keynote Speaker
Lisa Story, a nature enthusiast, is the founder and Executive Director of Hope Grows, a non-profit organization Cultivating Caregiver Wellness. A Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Thanatologist, Lisa’s professional experience in grief & bereavement and the connection to the natural world has led her to the path of the non-profit. She holds Certificates in Addictions Counseling and Horticultural therapy.
Lisa is an author, part-time faculty member of Robert Morris University in psychology, national and local speaker on the topic of caregiver respite, and a Jefferson award recipient. Her ongoing project is creating a sustaining environment at the location of the Iris Respite House. She believes that mindfulness, having a positive outlook, and connecting to nature is therapeutic.
Lisa is a resident of Moon Township, PA, married 39 years to her partner, Charles, mother of four wonderful children, and grandmother to 7 amazing grandchildren. She has traveled to all 50 states and extensively abroad. Living in Arizona, the tail end of the Rocky Mountains thus far has been the most spiritually inspiring area in which she has had the fortune of interacting and existing with nature.
Casey Waugh
Feeding and Autism - Why is it so Hard?
8:30-9:15- Session 1
Casey Waugh is an occupational therapist and parent coach from Pittsburgh with 10 years of pediatric experience. Casey has worked in early intervention, outpatient and inpatient hospital, and school based settings. With expertise in sensory processing and feeding, Casey strives to not just include parents in the therapeutic process, but to empower them to support their child now and in the future. Training includes SOS Approach to
Feeding, the Advanced Workshop for Feeding Children on the Autism Spectrum, Beckman Oral Motor Proficiency, and multiple Sensory Processing certifications through The Star Institute and TheraPeeds. Casey Waugh MS, OTR/L Feeding and Autism Description Mealtime woes are one of the most common struggles amongst families with autistic children. Something that happens every day, multiple times a day, can cause stress not only in our children but also in our families as a whole. Have you ever wondered why your kiddo will eat hot dogs at school but will refuse at home? Are you at a loss as to why milk can only be in the bottle and milk is in the blue cup? Why your child is missing an entire food group from their diet? Let's dive deeper than "it's a sensory thing" or "it's a texture issue" and learn about the complexities of feeding, why it can very quickly lead to a slippery slope of food jags and restricted diets, and real life strategies to implement in your home today.
Christine M. Brookins
Special Needs Planning What to Consider when someone has a disability
8:30-9:15- Session 1
Christine M. Brookins, Financial Advisor With more than 30 years in the financial services industry, Christine Brookins has filled many roles.
Throughout that time, the most important role has been as mother to four children including an adult son with multiple disabilities, including autism.
Christine is a licensed insurance agent, registered representative, and investment adviser representative offering a wide array of services to small businesses, individuals and families with, both, typical and special needs. Due to her own lived experiences and unique professional training, she has a particular focus serving the disability community. She provides strategies for retirement accumulation and distribution, estate and education planning, and life-care planning for people with disabilities geared to preserve government benefits.
When she is not spending time with family, friends and clients, Christine is very involved with Special Olympics as a coach, and Founders Council member for UNcathlon. As the mother of an athlete, this is a very natural fit for her.
Christine is passionate about enhancing the lives of individuals with special needs.
Jessica Setzler
Not Ready: The Importance of Functional Communication Training and How to Use It with Your Child
8:30-9:15- Session 1
Jessica Setzler is a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and licensed behavior specialist with 17 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She worked as an ABA tutor in Ohio, special education teacher in Pennsylvania, and supervisor for graduate students studying ABA before becoming an "accidental entrepreneur" in 2018. Jessica founded Keystone ABA, an outpatient clinic that serves young children with autism, after noticing a need for intensive one-on-one therapy for young children with autism in a center-based program. Jessica serves as the clinical director, working with families and therapists to provide ethical ABA therapy that honors the child's consent in treatment and preserving self-dignity. She values cooperation over compliance and finds joy in each child's successes.
Jessica lives in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband, three children aged 10, 7, and 7 months, and 29-year-old pet turtle. She completed her master's in early intervention with autism specialization from the University of Pittsburgh.
Patty Maxwell
Autism and Sensory Integration
9:30-10:15 Session 2
We hear the word “sensory” quite a bit when working with a child on the Autism Spectrum. Why does my child cover his ears? Why is my child banging her head? What exactly does “sensory” mean? This training will help professionals and families find the answers to some of these questions and gain a better understanding of the sensory processing system. We will look at why it plays such a big part in our lives and explore sensory integration techniques that may help your kiddo find more comfort and happiness. We will also have some fun trying out some of these fun techniques ourselves!
Patty Maxwell is a licensed Behavior Specialist (BSL) with over 20 years of experience working throughout the mental health field in various positions including wraparound, intensive case management, family based mental health services and Early Intervention. She is the owner of Engage Kidz LLC and currently supports children and family’s virtually, in-home, school and in communities. Patty also supports teachers and professionals by coaching them through tough behavioral challenges and offers small and large group trainings. Her various educational background and experiences have allowed her to work with a wide range of ages (birth through adulthood) and supporting an array of learning abilities including individuals with autism, learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disorders.
Penny R. Gardner and Britanica Weese
Penny R. Gardner
Penny R. Gardner
Penny R. Gardner
Britanica Weese
Penny R. Gardner
Penny R. Gardner
Holly Teegarden
Demystifying Cannabis For You & Your Family
10:30-11:15 Session 3
Holly Teegarden spent her career as a digital marketer, national speaker, and social media expert. Three years ago, she left her career and decided to pursue the cannabis industry, opening a wellness store in Sewickley. Since then, she has helped 1000's people online and in the store with their health needs educating them on the benefits of plant medicine. She is launching other brands this year within the industry nationwide. Helping people feel better is her greatest driver in life.
Holly lives in Sewickley, PA, with her husband and daughter Sarah. Holly is active in her community as the Quaker Valley Special Education Parent Networking Group co-founder. Holly has a degree in English Literature from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY.
Cindy Gelormini
How to be a Warrior Mom
10:30-11:15 Session 3
Cindy Gelormini is an Interior Design Consultant and paint color expert from New Jersey known as “The Paint Diva”. She is also the mother of four including her son Robbie who had Severe, Non-Verbal Autism. Robbie attended the Developmental Learning Center until he turned 21. After realizing how all services seem to drop off for young adults with Autism, Cindy and Robbie began a YouTube series called “Robbie and Me: Autism Reality” advocating for the Autism Community. Their channel won an award from the Hope Autism Foundation for their advocacy.
The series ended when Robbie suddenly passed away in 2017. In 2020 Cindy wrote and illustrated a children’s book series about a little penguin with Autism in memory of her son titled “Robbie’s World and his SPECTRUM of Adventures!”. The series was released in April 2021 for Autism Awareness Month, and she was featured on The Today Show for World Autism Awareness Day. She is the host of a podcast called “Spectrum Perspectives” where she speaks to other parents, professionals and Autism Advocates. In 2022 she founded the Robbie’s World Foundation to help other families who have children with Autism and other disabilities.
Jess Hatheway
Graceful Wellness: Stepping into an Aligned Wellness Practice & Breaking Free from Obsession and Restriction"
10:30-11:15 Session 3
Jess Hatheway is a women's wellness and lifestyle transformation coach that is focused on developing massive self awareness and mindfulness in everyone she works with. She focuses on a new way of approaching wellness and self care, one that creates more confidence, acceptance, freedom and power in women's lives! An approach that helps women break free from past limiting beliefs and habits of obsession, restriction, guilt and shame to help them honor themselves on a whole other level.
Jess is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer and Prenatal/Postnatal Fitness Specialist who's passion is empowering women to take back control of their lives. She is local to the Pittsburgh area where she lives with her fiance, Brett, and two fur babies, Jason and Jasper. She is a culinary and pastry arts school grad making her a huge foodie. In addition to her coaching company, The Wholistic Picture, she is also a fitness boxing instructor and personal trainer at Fit 4 Boxing Club. She loves sharing her passion with the world, diving into personal growth, cooking, interior decorating, crafting, working out and traveling therapy.
Leslie Benedetto
5 Steps to Minding Your Mess with Mindfulness
1:00-1:45 Session 4
Leslie Benedetto MS, is an exercise physiologist, fitness expert and instructor. For the last 30 years, she has dedicated her career to promoting her passion for fitness, yoga, and healthy lifestyle habits. Leslie has designed yoga and fitness programs that are fun, relatable and most importantly focused on physical and neuro inclusivity for all ages and abilities.
Leslie is often invited to speak on adopting habits for better health, disease prevention, mindfulness and caring for the caregiver. Notable programs include, RESTORE CHAIR YOGA, STRENGTH AND SERENITY, B CALM YOGA FOR KIDS, and the B-WELL AT HOME RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM.
As a mother of three autistic young adults, she has learned first hand the importance of realistic healthy habits, and self care for parents and caregivers.
Lisa Srnka
SOS Stress Recovery-A 30 minute "snack-size" look at how stress maybe the root cause for how lousy you feel. Lisa Srnka CRNP, IFMCP
1:00-1:45 Session 4
With over 30 years of acute health care experience (at the time) Lisa was suffering from brain fog, debilitating hormonal migraines and fatigue. Many doctor’s visits and countless prescriptions offered no relief. A chance meeting with a friend led her to an experienced MD/Acupuncturist who cured her of her hormonal migraines. Then an encounter with a compounding pharmacist helped her balance her stress response and thyroid function. She was so relieved to find a solutions she asked to work with the pharmacist so she could help others.
Now with over 37 years and recently relocated to the Pittsburgh area to pursue her dream as a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner in private practice. Founder and Medical Director of Solutions Functional Medicine Centre located in Sewickley, Pa Lisa helps discover the missing piece to your health by asking “why” and digging deep to find the real cause to why you feel so bad. This is not a “pill for an ill” approach to chronic health concerns. Lisa is a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Practitioner of the prestigious Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) The IFM is the single largest organization certifying licensed health care professionals in the area of lifestyle medicine, she has completed over 140 credit hours and over 2 years in education and training with the IFM. Lisa helps her clients with such issues and Chronic fatigue, hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions, GI discomfort and infections, SIBO, Insulin Resistance, Toxin overload and resistant weight loss. Lisa often mentor’s student Nurse Practitioners to help them understand the impact of how our lifestyle matters.
Jennifer Bruno
How to Survive the Roller Coaster Ride of being a special needs parent
2:00pm
Jennifer Bruno is a selfless mother of two, supportive sister, dog mom, and caring friend. She devotes each day to making her girls happy. Jen has worked as a Divisional Director at ProMedica SeniorCare for the past 21 years. She is a mom to Carly (18) and Cassie (16), who is visually impaired and lives with autism. Because of Cassie, she has become a strong advocate for special needs in her surrounding community. She is the co-creator of Team Cassie, part of The Pittsburgh Foundation, which supports local special needs families. Jen is strong-willed, and takes every step necessary to ensure Cassie is living in an accepting community. Jen wants to share her experience with other families, to give them a sense of hope, and ensure that they are not alone on their child’s journey.
In Jen’s spare time, you can find her drinking coffee or wine, reading pages of a thrilling book, binge watching TV series, doing yoga, refinishing furniture, collecting plants, and obnoxiously cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers. She looks at herself as nothing more than a special needs mom, but she was given the task for a reason. Her unconditional love and patience for her kids could not be replicated by any other woman. She puts her heart into making others around her happy, and makes the world a better place.
Sponsors
AIBDT Psychological Services
ITMedRx Business IT Solutions
The Watson Institute
Mother's Day Retreat and Conference 2022
This weekend we had the honor of providing these amazing women the opportunity to relax,
connect, and learn.
100 in attendance- 16 speakers- 18 vendors
Connections were made with a sigh of relief, knowing they are not alone on their journey, and to keep moving with the information from workshops that were provided by amazing speakers and resources from vendors.
Thank you for attending.
Looking forward to 2023
Thank you to all our speakers and sponsors!
Sponsors
AIBDT Psychological Services
ITMedRx Business IT Solutions
The Watson Institute