Professional Member Spotlight
As a benefit to both our families and professional members, xMinds publishes information about our professional members here in the xMindsWire as well as on our website. Inclusion does not constitute our endorsement. This month, xMinds would like to highlight the following new and renewing professional members:
Casey’s Special Education Services LLC
caseythespeducator.com
Contact: Casey Winderbaum; caseythespeducator@gmail.com
Services: Academic tutoring/coaching, Behavioral support, Pre-K, K-12, Transition Ages 18-21, Ages 21+
Casey’s Special Education Services is a comprehensive special education service in the DMV. We service neurodiverse students, ages 2-28, in the comfort of their homes. We provide high quality one-on-one instruction for all learners and focus primarily on reading, writing, math, social/emotional learning, adaptive/independent living skills and executive functioning skills.
We comprise a team of 20+ licensed special education teachers who can support families and schools through instruction, professional collaboration, parent coaching, IEP planning, document review, and more.
DC Peers
www.dcpeers.org
Contact: Catherine Robertson; crobertson@dcpeers.org
Services: Nonprofit organization; recreational support; coaching; Grades 6–8; Grades 9–12; Transition ages (18–21); Ages 21+
DC Peers is a nonprofit providing innovative free/low-cost social supports and social opportunities to neurodiverse groups of teens and young adults. We're committed to raising neurodiversity awareness in our organization and our community.
Exceptional Educational Solutions
701 Hyde Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902
ExceptionalEducationalSolutions.com
Contact: Stephanie Frumkin, M.A.Ed.; Stephanie@exceptionaleducationalsolutions.com; 724-320-9026
Services: Educational consulting for all grades, special and general education, public and private schools
Stephanie Frumkin is an educational consultant and the founder of Exceptional Educational Solutions (EES) with over 25 years of experience in the field of education. She also has lived experience as a parent of a neurodivergent student in Montgomery County and has a deep understanding of families experiencing school related stress.
EES helps parents of bright K-12 students with learning and thinking differences in the D.C. metro area find the best school fit so their children can thrive. Stephanie specializes in working with twice-exceptional (2e) students and enjoys serving complex profiles including many autistic students and their families.
In addition to private school placement, she helps families get set up for success in homeschooling and advocates for students in both public and private school. She also helps families explore alternative education options including micro-schools, online schools, dual enrollment, and putting together a hybrid program customized to meet the unique needs of the student.
Gulnoza Yakubova, Ph.D.
University of Maryland, College Park, 3214 Benjamin Building
education.umd.edu/directory/gulnoza-yakubova
Contact: Gulnoza Yakubova, Ph.D.; gulnoza@umd.edu; 724-320-9026
Services: Research studies involving autistic individuals and their families. Research interests: autism, technology-based intervention, virtual and augmented reality, parent training, life skills instruction, academic supports
Gulnoza Yakubova, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Special Education in the College of Education at the University of Maryland, College Park. Having received her Ph.D. in special education from Purdue University in 2013, Dr. Yakubova worked as an Assistant Professor at Duquesne University prior to joining UMD. She has several years of experience in working with autistic children to teach them independent living skills and supporting them in an academic environment. Her overarching research interest focuses on examining technology-based interventions to teach autistic students the skills they need to have a successful life after school. She uses technology with a primary focus on: (1) increasing functional independence of autistic children in school and community, (2) supporting access to learning academic content, and (3) training parents on creating video-based interventions. She conducts virtual and in-person training and research with autistic children and their parents via ongoing research projects.
Starobin Counseling LLC
18213 Hillcrest Ave., Olney, MD 20832
www.starobincounseling.com
Contact: Caron Starobin, LCSW-C; caron@starobincounseling.com; 301-417-5979
Services: Psychological counseling, Social skills therapy, Support groups
Starobin Counseling offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy. In individual & family counseling for autistic people, individuals learn relationship skills and tools for thinking with greater flexibility, have a space for exploring their identify as an autistic person, and receive support and counseling for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Family members learn to interact with greater ease and compassion with their loved ones and learn how to provide support and scaffolding for their autistic family member. Neuro-diversity affirming couples therapy at Starobin Counseling uses a Relational Life Therapy approach to help couples learn to cherish each other and navigate together while holding up neuro-differences in ways of connecting and communicating. Starobin Counseling provides a relationship skills program for teens and young adults in collaboration with Jamell White, Ph.D., LCSW-C. This program helps participants practice and generalize relationship skills, including dating skills and sustaining relationships. Starobin Counseling also facilitates support group programs including Parents Together, Siblings Together, and Autistic Adults Support Groups. The parent groups offer parents information, resources, emotional support, and connection to other parents with similar experiences and aims to strengthen the capacity of parents to navigate the maze of services for their children, adolescents, and young adults. Siblings Together offers a supportive and therapeutic space for children, adolescents, and young adults who have autistic family members, and the Autistic Adults group provides a space for female, female-identifying, and non-binary adults to connect, support each other, and receive support from a licensed professional. Visit our website to learn more!
TAR Education in Motion LLC
www.tareducationinmotion.com
Contact: Pia Seltmann; contact@tareducationinmotion.com; (202) 808-5924
Services: In-home occupational therapy services and parent coaching
TAR Education in Motion, LLC is committed to making a positive impact on children's lives through personalized in-home occupational therapy services.
Our comprehensive approach encompasses addressing sensory needs, enhancing activities of daily living (ADL) skills, refining fine motor abilities, and more. With a specialization in working with children with special needs, including those on the autism spectrum, global developmental delay, cerebral palsy and genetic disorders. Our goal is to provide tailored care that supports growth and development in a familiar setting.
Weinfeld Education Group (WEG)
4865A Cordell Ave, Ste 240, Bethesda, MD 20814
www.wegadvocacy.com
Contact: Rich Weinfeld, Executive Director; office@wegadvocacy.com; 301-681-6233
Services: Educational Advocacy, IEP Planning, School Selection, Trainings and Consultations, Expert Witness, Gifted and Talented, Behavioral/Discipline Services
Weinfeld Education Group strives to help all students reach their potential. They focus on students who face increased obstacles presented by their learning challenges or disabilities, and are in need of special education or other educational support services. WEG provides services in Maryland, Virginia, DC, and virtually, nationwide.
.png)
