Gifts, Strengths, Creativity & Talents
Veronica Cartwright
Andrew and Michelle Preston
Ian Hale
Jennifer Buchanan
Jennifer Buchanan is a distinguished music therapist with a career spanning over three decades, marked by innovation, advocacy, and a deep commitment to the therapeutic potential of music. As the Founder of JB Music Therapy, Jennifer leads a dedicated team of certified music therapists who serve thousands across various settings each year, testament to her vision and leadership in the field. Currently, she holds a prestigious position as a Director at Canada’s National Music Centre, further solidifying her standing as a leading figure in the world of therapeutic arts. And, Jennifer is an accomplished author, Jennifer’s latest book, “Wellness, Wellplayed,” delves into the profound impact of playlists on our well-being.
Elaine Hall
Elaine is an international keynote speaker and autism/inclusion advocate and focuses on being “Miracle-Minded” to bring out the best in all children. She has received numerous awards from leading organizations including Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of America, Holly Robinson Peete’s HollyRod Foundation, the Shalom Institute, the Malibu Education Foundation, the Mayor of Los Angeles. Los Angeles Magazine named her one of “Los Angeles’s 50 most inspiring women” and Elaine’s memoir, Now I See the Moon was the official selection by the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day.
EASE Group: Joan Merwyn, Stefanie Singer, Nysheva-Starr & Erica Rooney
Everyday Arts for Special Education (EASE) is a multi arts, professional development program for classroom teachers, related service providers, parents and educators. EASE Methodology provides fun, engaging and creative pathways into both social emotional and academic learning. Funded by the US Department of Education, EASE is an evidence-based arts-integrated approach to teaching students of all abilities. EASE Consultants, Stefanie Singer, Erica Rooney, Nysheva-Starr and Joan Merwyn share their extensive artistic, educational and administrative expertise working with New York City and Los Angeles public schools while discussing the importance of arts in education, and it’s benefits for students on the autism spectrum.
Ellen Gerstein
Ellen is an award-winning actor, writer, director, and producer. She offers a very popular actor’s workshop, including for people with unique talents, such as Autism.
Taylor Duncan
Taylor Duncan, diagnosed with autism at the age of 4, is the Founder (Chief Executive Officer) of Alternative Baseball.
