Esther B. Hess, Ph.D. is a developmental psychologist and executive director of a multidisciplinary treatment facility in West Los Angeles, CA, Center for the Developing Mind. The Center specializes in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of developmental and regulatory disorders, like autism spectrum disorders. In addition, Dr. Hess is an author and a national and international speaker on DIR/Floor Time: A Developmental/Relational Treatment Approach of ASD and Sensory Processing Disorder in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults.

Christopher R. Bugaj, MA CCC‐SLP is a founding member the Assistive Technology Team for Loudoun County Public Schools. Chris hosts The A.T.TIPSCAST (http://attipscast.com); a multi‐award winning podcast featuring strategies to design educational experiences and co-hosts the Talking With Tech (http://www.talkingwithtech.net/) podcast featuring interviews and conversations about augmentative and alternative communication. Chris is the co‐author of The Practical (and Fun) Guide to Assistive Technology in Public Schools (http://bit.ly/chewatamazon) published by the International Society on Technology in Education (ISTE) and has designed and instructed online courses for ISTE on the topics of Assistive Technology and Universal Design for Learning. Chris is also the author of ATEval2Go (http://bit.ly/ateval2go), an app for iPad that helps professionals in education perform technology assessments for students. Chris co-authored two chapters for a book published by Brookes Publishing titled Technology Tools for Students with Autism. Chris co‐produces and co‐authors the popular Night Light Stories podcast (http://nightlightstories.net) which features original stories for children of all ages. Chris has presented over 300 live or digital sessions at local, regional, state, national and international events, including TEDx, all of which are listed at http://bit.ly/bugajpresentations. His latest book The New Assistive Tech: Make Learning Awesome For All (http://bit.ly/thenewat4all), also published by ISTE, is available for order now!  

Dr. Peg Donohue is an Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education and Family Therapy Department at CCSU and Coordinator of the School Counseling Program. She spent 16 years working as a school counselor in elementary and middle school levels. Dr. Donohue is a founding member of the CCSU Center of Excellence in Social and Emotional Learning where she has developed a number of training opportunities for Connecticut educators. She is co-editor and chapter contributor to The School Counselor’s Guide to Multi-Tiered Systems of Support coming out in June of 2019.

Robin Fox M.Ed., is an award-winning educator and professional improv actor, has worked in private and public schools, K-12, as a special educator, professional trainer, and consultant for over thirty-five years. Her program, SocialEyes Together™, is a classroom-tested, innovative curriculum blending mindfulness, cognitive education, and improvisation exercises. Socially challenged students become more self aware and resilient by playfully connecting with others. They learn to cultivate productive thoughts that advance their goals and dreams leading the way to increased confidence and empathy. www.social-eyes.org

Katy Harrison Ostroff, LICSW is the Manager of Client Services for NEADS World Class Service Dogs. She is responsible for matching eligible clients with their Service Dogs through a highly personalized intake and evaluation process. In addition, Katy speaks locally and nationally about the life-changing possibilities of Service Dogs, focusing on the partnerships between NEADS clients and their Service Dogs.  Her prior experience includes Executive Director of Employment Connection Specialists, a non-profit agency that placed persons with disabilities in jobs in private industry.  Volunteer experience includes serving as a board member and board President of the NH Rehabilitation Association as well as leadership positions on a variety of professional and community boards.

Katie Hanley is Senior Director of Oak Hill Centers at Oak Hill, the largest disability services provider in Connecticut.  Katie is responsible for the administration, supervision and development of innovative community-based services including the Center for Relationship & Sexuality Education (CRSE). CRSE broadens access to important sexual health information and addresses the overwhelming vulnerability to sexual abuse experienced by the intellectual and developmental disability community. Katie presents workshops throughout the country on the topic of healthy relationships and sexual health for people with disabilities.