Bridging The Gap
1 in 68 American schoolchildren have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Has your child recently been diagnosed with autism? Are you looking for a book that can help you support the development of your child’s communication, socialization, academic, and life skills? As the director of a preschool program for children with autism, Dr. Gina Feliciano’s new book, the first in a new series by QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community), provides you with valuable information regarding how you can best support your child. In addition to original content by Dr. Feliciano and Ms. Peltz, the authors have curated iOS apps that will support the development of parent-child learning aimed at improving skills in core domain areas.
Gina Feliciano is the Director of the Preschool at QSAC and has been in the position since 2012. Gina is responsible for the overall operation of the preschool. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (Doctoral level) as well as a certified New York State Special Education Teacher and School Administrator. Gina received her Doctorate (Ph.D.) from Columbia University in Special Education and Behavior Disorders in 2006. Her previous professional experience includes being appointed as Director of Clinical Services, Director of ABA Services, and years training staff and education professionals as a Behavioral Consultant. Gina has held academic positions as an adjunct professor at Hunter College, Pace University, and Queens College teaching courses on behavior management, classroom management and education psychology.
Melissa Peltz has been working with children since 2007. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Queens College in Elementary Education and Sociology and her master’s degree at Queens College in Early Childhood Special Education specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Since 2011, she has taught a diverse group of children, including those with disabilities in various public, private, and special educational environments. She is also a member of a team that was instrumental in reforming a school teaching children with autism in Beijing, China and is currently in the process of publishing a book on evidence-based practices to be used at the school.
QSAC is a New York City and Long Island based nonprofit that supports children and adults with autism, together with their families, in achieving greater independence, realizing their future potential, and contributing to their communities in a meaningful way by offering person-centered services. QSAC pursues this mission through direct services that provide a supportive and individualized setting for children and adults with autism to improve their communication, socialization, academic, and functional skills.
