Michelle Atanu, OTR, MOT is an accomplished occupational therapist and the Founder & CEO of Avilo Pediatric Solutions & Consulting. Since earning her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2012, Michelle has dedicated her career to advancing holistic, inclusive solutions for children’s development with a specialty in empowering young children with neurodiverse needs.
Her expertise spans child development, sensory processing, behavior regulation, and social-emotional wellness. Beyond clinical practice, Michelle serves as a leader and advocate in her field, holding roles such as Standards and Practice Chair for the Texas Occupational Therapy Association, an advisory board member for PIMA Medical Institute, and founder of Occupation in Motion, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Through her initiatives, including the Integration of Children with Special Needs in the Early Childhood Classroom Certification Program, university apprenticeship programs, and ongoing research collaborations, Michelle continues to build community-driven solutions for children and families.
Michelle is also the creator of the Neurodiversity Children’s Magazine, Neurodiversity Children’s Conference and the Minutes with Michelle Podcast. She’s on a mission to build platforms that inspire and educate professionals and parents alike. Recently, she published her first book, “23 Questions: 23 Answers to Questions Many People Ask About Children.”
Carita Curry, Ed.D is a devoted Christian, mother of three, and dedicated educator with over 16 years of experience serving diverse learners in K–12 education. She holds a Doctor of Education in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University–Portland, a Principal Certification from Lamar University, and multiple Texas educator certifications, including SPED, ESL, and ELAR.
As an Adjunct Professor at Lee College and dual-credit instructor at Impact Early College High School, Dr. Curry inspires students through engaging instruction and inclusive learning practices. She also leads community initiatives as the founder of the One Shot Memorial Organization, which provides youth and families with educational, social, and community support services.
A lifelong learner and advocate for equity in education, Dr. Curry is passionate about empowering students, mentoring teachers, and promoting leadership grounded in faith, compassion, and excellence.
Hi, my name is Melody DiPasca. I have been married for 14 years and have 2 beautiful boys. My oldest son, Juan is 11 and my youngest is 8. Our younger son, Giovanni is on the autism spectrum and has also been diagnosed with ADHD/OCD as well. I'm a full-time working momma trying to juggle life, home, school, soccer, therapy, and everything else that comes our way. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, volunteering, and working out when time allows. I have been volunteering with both Hope For Three and Autism Caregivers Around the Bend the last few years. Last year, my good friend and I started leading a Labeled and Love support group in Fort Bend. Labeled and Loved (a national nonprofit) provides support and community through monthly small group meetings for special needs moms. Since my son’s diagnosis, I have had a heart and passion in helping other parents navigate this journey of raising a child with special needs. Giving hope and support to others is what brings me joy the most. We aren’t meant to do this journey alone and I have made it my mission to connect others, share resources and remind parents that there is hope and joy on this journey.
Stephanie Farrington, M.A., LPC, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Arabella Counseling. She is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, build emotional resilience, and cultivate personal and professional growth. As a speaker and author, Stephanie provides practical tools to enhance well-being, manage stress, and create purpose-driven lives. Through engaging and relatable conversations, she encourages individuals to leverage their strengths, overcome obstacles, and confidently step into new opportunities with clarity and intention.
DeAndrae Hinton M.Ed is a devoted father of a remarkable child on the autism spectrum and a passionate advocate for families navigating the special needs journey. As a Special Education Teacher specializing in behavior support, DeAndrae brings both personal and professional insight to the work of empowering students and supporting their families. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX, where he teaches in the Pragmatic Studies Program, helping students with diverse learning needs prepare for life beyond the classroom.
DeAndrae is also a published author of the book My Favorite Mistakes: Lessons I've Learned through Accountability, where he shares personal reflections on growth, resilience, and leadership. In addition to his educational and literary work, he proudly serves on the Executive Committee of the Autism Dads Social Club, creating community and connection for fathers raising children with autism.
Melanie H. Johnston, M.A./SLP/CAS is the Executive Director of BRITE Success, LLC, which provides services to consumers with development disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder, families and professionals developing programs, and teaching individuals across the life span using interventions that provide communication skills, behavioral skills and readiness skills that are essential for independence. She has a BS degree from
Texas Christian University in Speech Pathology, and master’s degree from University of Texas, Austin in Early Childhood Intervention and Special Education. In 1983 she co-founded The Bynum School (formerly Developmental Disabilities Center) in Midland, Texas. In the 1980’s Melanie was worked under instruction by Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas providing what is now known as ABA Therapy.
Melanie has over 35 years of experience not only as a Speech and Language Pathologist but also as Speech/Language Pathologist specializing in low incidence disabilities and AAC/AT devices and interventions. She was lead SLP, lead for an AT/AAC team and an Autism/Behavior Specialist in public schools, private practice and in collaboration with other agencies and service providers. In private practice at BRITE Success, LLC in addition to providing therapy, she works with private and public programs and school systems throughout the country providing trainings to faculty, professionals and families. Melanie has presented, published numerous papers, co-authored RRP-TI Rapid Response Program to Intervention (Wills-Brandon, Brandon, Johnston 2007), and has been adjunct faculty at the University of Texas, Austin. Melanie has been at the forefront of implementing i-technology for education in the areas of communication, augmentative communication, assistive-technology, language, transitional and learning needs. Through BRITE Success, LLC she has encouraged adults to pursue their personal goals for a meaningful self-determined life which led her to expand services to include vocational training and support for competitive employment.
Melanie has presented at national conferences and provided trainings nationally, and in was 2013 selected as the recipient of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Education Award. A past chairman of the TSHA Business Management committee, she sat on the Oneder Advisory Board and Elevatus Training Advisory Board. She continues to advocate for all individuals with disabilities.
Samantha Katchy, M.A., BCBA, LBA is a compassionate Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) with over a decade of experience supporting individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Cum Laude, from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysisfrom Ball State University with an emphasis in Autism.
As the Co-Founder and Clinical Director of Fast Track ABA Center in Richmond and Katy, Texas, Samantha leads a multidisciplinary team providing evidence-based, individualized care for children ages 2–12. She is passionate about early intervention, parent and caregiver training, and promoting collaboration across home, school, and clinical settings.
Through her ongoing work with Hope For Three, Samantha presents workshops that equip families with practical tools and understanding to support their loved ones. Her mission: to help every family recognize their light and let it shine.
Dr. Agnes Kaufman, DC, BCN is the Clinical Director at the Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback. She is a 1991 graduate of National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois. Her post graduate work and specialty is in acupuncture. She received her diplomat degree from the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture in December of 2011. Dr. Agnes became interested in brain health after she lost her mother to Alzheimer’s disease. In 2018, Dr. Agnes received her Board Certification in Neurofeedback at the Clinician level from the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance.
Dawn Kuhn, MBA, BCN-T is the Clinic Manager for the Sandstone Center for Neurofeedback. She was a client at Sandstone long before she became an employee. Dawn has a BA and MBA in Business Administration from LeTourneau University and has her Neurofeedback Technician Certification through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance, Dawn has two sons with mental health disorders, one with Autism. As a result, she has also been a dedicated mental health advocate for over 15 years.
Dr. Noël E. Mensah-Bonsu, is a board-certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, where she cares for children and families at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics and Autism. She serves as Associate Program Director of the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship, leading educational initiatives for pediatric trainees.
Dr. Mensah-Bonsu is also the founder of The Developmental Journey, a mobile medical practice serving Houston-area families. Her innovative model has been featured nationally by Starbucks and supported by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
An elected member of the Board of Directors for the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP), she is recognized for her leadership, teaching, and advocacy in neurodevelopmental care. Outside of medicine, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and adventuring with her husband and three children.