Becky has worked primarily in self-contained special education classrooms as a Behavior Specialist and also in residential group homes for teens with autism as a manager, programmer and direct care staff. As a Behavior Specialist, her main focus has been developing behavior intervention plans and creating programs for teens in a behavior based special education program. Working as a residential group home staff members, Becky's responsibilities included writing Tailored Life Plans and Positive Behavior Support Plans. In both of these areas she also trained staff in the implementation of the individual students' program. Becky generally gravitates toward the more difficult students because she enjoys the challenge and the sense of gratification at even the smallest accomplishment and working hard to facilitate significant and lasting change.
Meredith discovered her passion for working with children with autism and related disabilities as a teacher of a young boy with special challenges in her general education preschool classroom. Shortly after he started in the preschool program, Meredith, along with his family became a driving force for his diagnosis of Aspergers and continuing intervention and support needed to continue to find success within his school setting.   The relationship formed was life changing for everyone involved and today is still a main inspiration for Meredith’s work. Since then, she has volunteered working with children and adults on the spectrum at both the EEU (Experimental Education Unit) at the University of Washington and Outdoors for All. Meredith has a degree in Anthropology and Psychology from Northern Arizona University. She is currently enrolled at the University of North Dakota masters in the autism spectrum program and plans to continue on with her masters in occupational therapy. Ultimately she wants to specialize in pediatric occupational therapy working specifically with children on the spectrum. Meredith joined APPLE in June 2008.
Karen has worked with children on the autism spectrum both in home and in the school settings. She is experienced in providing intervention focused on building and expanding social, behavioral and academic foundations using techniques based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. Karen is very familiar with providing support in the school setting and with play dates, facilitating social interaction and imaginative play for preschool and school age students. She brings fun energy and strategic focus when working with kids. Karen attended Seattle University and received her BS in Biology which brought her to this field well versed in data collection and application. In the fall Karen will be attending Bastyr University for her Masters in Nutrition. Upon completion she looks forward to adding nutritional support to helping children with special needs. Karenhas been working with A.P.P.L.E. Consulting since June of 2006.
Andrea Link Bice
Andrea Bice began working with children with autism or on the spectrum in 2007 while seeking to obtain her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology degree from Western Michigan University. She volunteered at Croyden Avenue School providing direct intervention to a young child who was on the spectrum. Through this experience, Andrea realized her passion for working with children with autism or special needs. After receiving her degree, Andrea was enrolled in the MSW program at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI to pursue a career as a school social worker. In her field placement at Wayne State, Andrea was placed at Cherokee Elementary School where she worked closely with the school social worker. During her field placement Andrea co-facilitated a social group for students with autism, aided autistic students in the classroom, as well as worked with both parents and teachers in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process. In May 2008, Andrea moved from Michigan to Washington in order to be with her fiancé. In the summer of 2008, Andrea was a nanny for a young boy with autism and was reintroduced to direct intervention and ABA therapy. She plans on returning to graduate school in order to finish getting her MSW degree. After that, she would love to continue working with children with autism or special needs in the school system or similar setting. Andrea began working for APPLE Consulting in the Winter of 2008.
Krystal Miller had her first opportunity to work with children with autism when both her younger brothers were diagnosed when she was still in elementary school. Her experiences helping her brothers through everyday life skills prepared her for a future in education and care for children with special needs. Krystal graduated from Western Washington University in 2004. While attending college, Krystal volunteered with Sib Shops--workshops for siblings of special needs children--sharing the experiences of her brothers and encouraging siblings to do the same. Krystal's interest in teaching students with ASD (autism spectrum disorders) was rekindled with her work as a nanny for a young child on the spectrum under the direction of A.P.P.L.E. Consulting in 2007. Presently, Krystal plans to apply for graduate school in Speech-Language Pathology as she continues to work in her capacity as Lead Tutor. Krystal also plans to continue her studies in applied behavior analysis in preparation to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Krystal has also worked as a Direct Support Professional in residential settings for teens with autism, and is CPR and First Aid certified. Krystal joined A.P.P.L.E. Consulting in the Spring of 2008.
Fran Sohraby, M.Ed.
After receiving a BS in Neurobiology from the University of Washington, Fran discovered her passion for working with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. She started working at the Experimental Education Unit at the University of Washington to learn more about children with autism and related disorders. Fran was amazed by the strengths and the learning abilities of children with autism. She has strived to change the lives of children with special needs in a positive, productive, and effective way. Dr. Maria Montessori's inspirational quote, "whoever touches the life of the child touches the most sensitive point of a whole, which has roots in the most distant past and climbs toward the infinite future", has encouraged Fran to pursue her journey with compassion, hard work, and dedication. Toward this end, Fran pursued a professional career in the field of special education and received her master's degree in the Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Washington. Fran has worked with children with autism for three years and provided one-on-one therapy using the principles of applied behavior analysis. In addition, she has experience in the development and implementation of the IEP (Individualized Education Program), functional behavioral assessment, behavior support plans, incidental teaching, milieu teaching, and varied types of embedded instructions. When working with children with autism, Fran has been able to successfully enhance the academic, physical, cognitive, and emotional development of her students while considering each child's individual needs, strengths, and capabilities as well as their families' unique characteristics and needs. Fran's future research interests lie in pursuing a PhD degree in the area of developmental and behavioral neuroscience. Her experiences with children with autism solidify her commitment to pursue scientific research, specifically on the brain functions and neuroanatomy of children with autism.
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