Independent Growing Minds Practitioners

The following autism professionals have had extensive experience and training in the Growing Minds approach. We are pleased to recommend their work.

Stefanie Barenblat, M.Ed., BCBA,

Stefanie Barenblat autism expert photo

…draws from over 20 years of experience working individually and intensively with over 500 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Stefanie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and holds a Master’s degree in Special Education, with certification as an Inclusion Specialist. She is currently based in the Denver-Boulder area of Colorado.

Stefanie worked in the Growing Minds Program for 15 years, training parents and educators from all over the world to successfully address a wide range of educational, social, and behavioral goals. She was instrumental in helping to develop and improve the Growing Minds Program. Stefanie’s ability to work masterfully with children, parents, and professionals places her among the foremost consultants in the field of autism today.

Phone: 720-446-8236
Email: behaviorchange@gmail.com


Drs. Esther Sjouke

Dr Esther Sjouke

 

…is Co-Director of Growing Minds Support Services in the Netherlands, where she provides support services for children and parents, based on the principles of Growing Minds and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Esther’s daughter is diagnosed with autism and Dravet’s Syndrome, a serious form of epilepsy that includes significant movement difficulties. Esther gave up a career as a veterinarian to provide a home program for her daughter for many years, helping her child to defy a devastating prognosis and learn to walk, communicate and interact meaningfully and affectionately with others. Esther then sought training as an autism professional and has offered services to parents and children affected by autism for the past 16 years. In addition to extensive training in the Growing Minds approach, she has trained in Applied Behavior Analysis, the Son-Rise Program, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), TAGteach, Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment and Facilitated Communication.

While her personal experience parenting a child with profound autism gives her compassion and understanding for the experience of parents, her extensive training and professional background enable her to draw upon a variety of approaches to meet the needs of children and adults with varied issues and diagnoses. We are pleased to recommend Esther as a caring and exceptionally effective autism professional.

Email: esther@growingmindssupport.nl
Website: growingmindssupport.nl


Marjoleine Leliveld

Marjoleine Leliveld

…is Co-Director of Growing Minds Support Services in the Netherlands, where she provides in-home training for children and parents based on the principles of Growing Minds and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Marjoleine’s daughter is diagnosed with classic autism and dyspraxia. After being told that her then-two year old child would be incapable of learning to walk, speak, communicate or relate meaningfully to others, Marjoleine organized a full time home therapy program which she continues today. With Marjoleine’s help, her daughter steadily reached developmental milestones that had once been considered impossible, including speech, walking, reading, leisure interests and even riding a bicycle. Today she is a happy teenager with close relationships with family and friends.

Marjoleine’s experience helping her daughter brought her into contact with numerous families seeking her advice and help for their children with autism. She began to pursue training in a variety of methods, including Growing Minds. The Son-Rise Program, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Applied Behavior Analysis (including training in ABLLS and PRT).  As co-director of Growing Minds Support in the Netherlands, she has provided professional consulting and support to parents and children since 2006. Marjoleine’s work is characterized by compassion, humor and a deeply accepting attitude, while her experience and diverse training make her a highly effective autism professional.

Email: marjoleine@growingmindssupport.nl
Website: growingmindssupport.nl