Meet our Team of Autism Experts

Dr. Stephen Shore

Diagnosed with "atypical development and strong autistic tendencies" and "too sick" for outpatient treatment, Dr. Shore was recommended for institutionalization. He was non-verbal until age 4, but with much support from his parents, teachers, wife, and others, Dr. Shore is now a professor at Adelphi University where his research focuses on matching best practice to the needs of people with autism. 

Dr. Shore currently serves on the board of Autism Speaks - as one of the first two autistic board members in its history, where he is committed to improve the potential of those on the autism spectrum. He is internationally renowned for presentations, consultations and writings on lifespan issues pertinent to education, relationships, employment, advocacy, and disclosure.

Please visit his website for further information. Click here for appointment requests.

Debra Beckman, MS, CCC-SLP

Debra Beckman is a Nationally Certified by ASHA, listed in the National Provider Registry (NPI), licensed by the State of Florida and insured. Ms. Beckman has worked in the field of communicative disorders since 1975, specializing in motor speech disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, universities, trauma centers, home-bound, foster homes, group homes, Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MRs), nursing homes and large residential facilities.

As a self-employed consultant, she has co-authored training materials for the states of Florida, Oklahoma and Wyoming, which are presently used in a number of states. She has served as a court appointed witness and as a resource content expert for seven federal court cases, regarding services for the developmentally disabled. Ms. Beckman has presented at numerous local, state, national and international conferences, and has published articles in professional books, journals, monographs; and in Exceptional Parent magazine. Ms. Beckman has been recognized by her peers and her community for outstanding clinical achievement.

  • Education:

    • Bachelor of Science (1974) from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR and Master of Science (1979) from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Campus in Little Rock, AR

  • Professional achievements:

    • Awarded 2 United States patents for therapeutic equipment.

Please visit her website for further information. Click here for appointment requests.

Sarah Norris

Sarah Norris is the founder of The Sensory Coach. She is a sensory processing and integration specialist with extensive training and experience in sensory processing/integration, MindBody Therapy, and DIR/Floortime Therapy. She is passionate about addressing the mental health aspects of sensory processing differences across the lifespan. She speaks, writes, teaches, provides consultation, coaching, mentoring services and has experience with program development, sensory friendly environmental design and event planning for individuals, families, and groups.

Sarah understands what it is like to live with sensory processing differences because she lives with them herself. She also knows what it is like to raise children with sensory processing differences because she has two children of her own. Her insight and empathy are the perfect combination to coach and support those on a journey to understand and manage their sensory processing differences in a deeply meaningful way.

  • Education: licensed and registered occupational therapist

  • Professional achievements:

    • 15 years working professionally with individuals with sensory processing and integration challenges

    • With her colleague, Carrie Einck, developed ground-breaking adult and adolescent treatment program at the STAR Institute in Denver, Colorado

    • Created introductory webinar for STAR Institute that covers five crucial topics for understanding and managing sensory processing differences in adulthood

Please visit her website for further information. Click here for appointment requests.

Jennelle Olalo

Jennelle is a licensed early childhood special educator from Canada and has been working in the field of education and developmental disabilities since 2007. She has been a practicing special educator working internationally in Canada, United Kingdom, and Qatar dedicating her career on providing inclusive, enriching and meaningful learning experiences for her students. With a background in classical opera spanning over 20 years, Jennelle incorporates music and movement into her lessons as a way to connect with her students and provide learning opportunities that are motivating and fun.

 Her experience spans across environments and age groups having worked within clinical settings, mainstream schools, specialized government programs, and home based settings. This experience includes managing therapy and classroom teams, developing specialized education plans, presenting training workshops for parents and educators, teaching in mainstream and specialized settings and providing intervention for children on the autism spectrum and developmental delays. Currently, Jennelle works as a Senior ABA Therapist at a Government facility in United Kingdom.

  • Education:

    • Bachelor of Science - concentration on early education and psychology

    • Certifications - Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Needs, Langara College

    • Completed ABA coursework for the Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis Program at Douglas College as she works towards her goal of becoming a BCBA

  • Professional achievements:

    • In 2013, spearheaded the Early Intervention Program at an International Center in Doha, Qatar where she worked as the Early Intervention Curriculum Specialist for several years

Noah Saraf

Noah is an 11 year old boy who has Autism, verbal apraxia and sensory processing disorder. He attends a mainstream school with a full time shadow and enjoys reading and math. 

Noah’s passion is swimming class, which he attends twice a week and can’t wait to get onto the high boards to dive at the end of his lesson.  He also loves to bake with his sisters and is the master of cracking the eggs. 

Noah is very hardworking and continues to make huge developmental strides. This has been made possible by a very dedicated team of experts, most of whom feature here with him at Learn Autism.