Kathryn Whitaker, M.Ed. Autism Consultant and Site EditorKathryn Whitaker is an autism consultant for North Country Supervisory Union in Vermont Kathryn earned her Master's Degree in Special Education with an independent autism strand through the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative and Johnson State College of Vermont. Kathryn's completed her B.S. degree in behavioral sciences and special education at Lyndon State College in Vermont. Kathryn also studied at Sonoma State University in California for certifications as learning handicap specialist, emotional disturbance specialist, resource specialist, assistive technology specialist and bilingual (Spanish) cultural linguistic academics certification. In her current position, she serves thirteen schools as a consultant and trainer for children with autism spectrum and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Kathryn has been involved in training Vermont educators in structured teaching with Linda Mulley and Chris Knippenberg and gives regular workshops on autism spectrum disorders, behavior interventions for autism, structured teaching and curriculum for students with autism. Kathryn is also an instructor for the Vermont Higher Education Collaborative. Linda Mulley M.ed, CAGS, Autism Curriculum Specialist
education from Lesley College, and her BA in psychology from the University of Michigan. Early in her career, she was the recipient of both a Ford Foundation scholarship and a Rotary International grant.
Linda specializes in the area of autism and, specifically, the development and use of literacy to promote communication and the acquisition of "difficult to teach" skills. She also has done extensive work in the area of collaborative teaming and currently teaches courses in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Collaborative Teaming for the Higher Education Collaborative/Johnson State College. Formerly, she taught for 6 years in the Department of Education at Dartmouth College. She is actively involved in training and has given more than 100 presentations over a span of 30 years locally and nationally. She now works in close collaboration with Chris Knippenberg and Kathryn Whitaker to bring autism information and structured teaching strategies to schools in northern New England.
One of the original members of the Autism Task Force, she is now an ex-officio member after serving on this committee for more than a decade.
Linda was awarded Autism Society of Vermont's Excellence in Autism Award in 2002. Chris Knippenberg, Occupational Therapist Chris Knippenberg is a school-based occupational therapist whose focus is working with Vermont families and teams so that children can participate fully in their home and school life.
Chris has 38 years experience as an occupational therapist, working in schools since 1977. She has extensive training in sensory integration, autism interventions, and is a certified assistive technology provider. She has done advanced training in structured teaching and applying the TEACCH model to children and adolescents. Chris was the Vermont representative to the IDEA partnership activities designed to facilitate collaboration and excellence in carrying out programming for students with special needs, and has served as a related service mentor through the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion. Chris provides direct services, consultation, and training activities on a range of topics in autism, sensory regulation, transition, and home-school collaboration.
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