County. When her own son needed to be educated in a Non-Public School, the choices were very limited in the area. Laura is filling that void in the County by the way of Camarillo Academy for Excellence.

Laura has been president of the Ventura County Autism Society, leading the chapter to national recognition. She has actively participated in the Ventura County SELPA’s autism task force, autism steering committee, autism writer’s group and Autism Certification Team.

She holds an Educational Specialist-Moderate to Severe credential from the State of California. Laura taught in a classroom of student with autism through the Ventura County Office of Education giving her a greater understanding of students with autism throughout the spectrum.

Laura has had training in the following modalities of teaching students with special needs, especially autism: TEACCH, Discrete Trial, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), Floortime, and Social Stories among others. She is a frequent guest lecturer in college classes for those training to be teachers and administrators as well as a presenter in SELPA workshops on autism.

Laura was the 2nd overall to complete the Ventura County SELPA’s Autism Certification demonstrating a knowledge of a variety of topics in conjunction with educating students with autism. She was honored to be given the Ventura County Autism Society’s Individual of the Year Award in 2004.

Originally from New York State, she has lived in Ventura County since 1987. In her spare time, Laura likes to do cross stitch and take a few minutes of quiet time for herself.