Social Cognition Specialists
Social Cognition Specialist
Beth Curtin received a Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from Meridian University and is currently working toward her doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ms. Curtin has worked for Anova since 2006, first as a classroom aide, then as Social Cognition Specialist in 2008. She has worked with children in many different capacities over the last ten years, including with emotionally disturbed children, children and teenagers with eating disorders, and children on the Autism Spectrum, and truly enjoys working with children in multiple capacities. Over the last two years, she has integrated a Social Thinking Physical Education curriculum at ACE which has been very successful. She feels that teaching Social Thinking through movement and creating opportunities for the children to be successful while in a group capacity is ultimately an invaluable tool for them. In addition to Social Thinking and social based P.E., she provides anger and anxiety management. Ms. Curtin recently presented her physical education curriculum at Michelle Garcia Winner's 2011 Social Thinking Providers Conference.
To read more about Ms. Curtin's physical education curriculum “I Want to Play Too! A social based physical education program for children with social deficits, learning disabilities and sportsmanship struggles” CLICK HERE.
Social Cognition Specialist
Lindsey McFarland earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Keene State College in New Hampshire, after which she spent five years living and working in Costa Rica, and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts degree and Teaching Credential. Ms. McFarland began her work at Anova in 2005, and has since progressed from Classroom Assistant to Classroom Coordinator and is currently the Social Cognition/Transition Specialist for ACE High School students. She helped create the transition program for juniors and seniors, the goal of which is to give more support after high school and to teach them to advocate for themselves. Services for young adults on the spectrum drop dramatically post-high school, an issue that Anova and Ms. McFarland are focused on addressing.
Social Cognition Specialist
Dana Naples earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from UC Santa Cruz and holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University. Ms. Naples joined Anova in 2005 as a Classroom Coordinator and quickly became Anova’s first Social Cognition Specialist. This unique position gives her the opportunity to work in one-on-one and group settings with students who are learning to access the skills necessary to navigate daily living, such as perspective-taking and the ability to communicate emotions to an audience. While Ms. Naples’ attention is primarily focused on teaching a specially designed Life Skills program at ACE High School, she additionally enjoys utilizing drama techniques to help students access their curriculum through the entire school. Prior to Anova, Ms. Naples managed summertime outdoor education programs in the Santa Cruz Mountains and gained experience in special education as a one-on-one behavior assistant at Behavioral Counseling and Research Center.
Social Cognition Specialist
Candi Robinson's circuitous route to Anova started in England, took her to Africa, and finally to the United States. Ms. Robinson grew up in the UK and studied at Staffordshire University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology. During her studies at University, Ms. Robinson took some time off and worked in Ghana for a football academy, teaching and training the students in sport psychology. After returning to England, Ms. Robinson finished her degree and worked with adults with special needs within the community. Her mother worked with adults on the autism spectrum and Ms. Robinson chose to show the same understanding and compassion her mother had demonstrated and to follow in her footsteps. In 2008, she moved to America and began working for Anova first as a Classroom Aide, then as a Classroom Coordinator, and finally to her current position of Social Cognition Specialist.