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Our team collaborates on a daily basis to develop and implement assessment-driven programming for students with diverse needs. We work together with districts and families to identify priorities for instruction and systematically implement programs across providers and settings to improve student outcomes. We have a variety of specialists and educators:

• Special education teachers
• Trained instructors and instructional assistants
• Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
• Licensed psychologists
• Consulting psychiatrist
• Assistive technology Specialists (AT)
• Speech-language pathologists (SLPs)
• Physical therapists (PTs)
• Occupational therapists (OTs)

Our Staff 

Under the guidance of our certified special education teachers. EASTCONN Autism Program Instructors provide 1:1 support with children with autism and related disabilities. Our instructors have extensive experience with children with autism spectrum disorders or significant behavioral needs and are skilled in the application of applied behavior analysis. All instructors hold a bachelors degree with a concentration in child development or related field. Our instructors are integral members of our multidisciplinary team and work with several students to support generalization and maintenance of a variety of skills. We also collaborate with Related Services and Assistive Technology. To learn more about their services and staff, click here.

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Jessica Miglio, BCBA, M.S. Ed.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Mrs. Miglio is the Board Certified Behavior Analyst for the EASTCONN Autism Program as the Lead Special Education Teacher at the EASTCONN Autism Program. Jessica has served as the Special Education Teacher for the EASTCONN Autism Program since early stages of the program in 2010.  She completed her graduate coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Massachusetts, holds a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Simmons College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Springfield College  in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies.  She has a background working with children of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Prior to working at EASTCONN, she worked at The New England Center for Children in Southborough, Massachusetts where she received extensive training in Applied Behavior Analysis.  Mrs. Miglio also serves as a Behavioral Consultant working in several local school districts to assist with building autism programs within public schools.

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Ann Bedard, M.S., CCC-SLP

Assistive Technology Specialist

Ann Bedard is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist on the EASTCONN AT Team and has been working with students with disabilities since 2006. Ann specializes in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and working with children who have complex communication needs. She provides assessment, consultation, and professional development regarding preschool children through young adults in a range of settings, but primarily self-contained programs for students with intellectual disabilities, autism, and physical disabilities. She has worked as an AAC consultant across Eastern Connecticut schools, to collaborate with and train educational teams in regards to selection and implementation of AAC in the educational environment. Prior to working with the AT Team, Ann worked in the EASTCONN Related Services Group as a full-time school-based SLP where she provided weekly interventions for students with a variety of speech and language disorders including students using AAC and developed Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) goals and objectives. Ann also concurrently worked in the home setting to deliver speech-language services through EASTCONN’s Birth-to-Three program. She received her Bachelor’s degree from UConn and Master of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Southern Connecticut State University. While pursuing her graduate degree, Ann worked in the Center for Adaptive Technology where university students utilized AT. Her experience working with individuals with disabilities from birth through post-secondary education has provided Ann with a uniquely beneficial perspective. Recently she provided direct speech therapy at the EASTCONN Autism Program (EAP) in Columbia, Connecticut for students using AAC from PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) to SGDs (Speech Generating Devices). She is a certified TouchChat trainer and maintains membership in the American Speech Language Hearing Association. Ann has given numerous presentations at the regional, state, and national level on topics such as Intro to AAC Implementation: Basic Talker Training, Next Steps: Fine-Tuning Talker Skills, Spectrum of AAC from Low to High-Tech, Apps for AAC: The Fantastic 4, Visual Strategies to Support Communication and Learning, and Myths of AAC.

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Ann Marie Ferron

Physical Therapist

Annie Ferron is a licensed physical therapist as well as a certified athletic trainer. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from Merrimack College in 2008 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011 from Franklin Pierce University. Annie worked at a healthcare center with the geriatric and pediatric population, including school systems, outpatient pediatrics, aquatic therapy, and short term inpatient therapy. She began working for EASTCONN in 2016, assisting children with various motor delays. 

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Caitlin Connelly, M.S., CF-SLP

Speech & Language Pathologist

Caitlin graduated from The College of Saint Rose in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, Sciences and Disorders. In 2018 she graduated from Gallaudet University with a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology.  She specialized in the Deaf and hard of hearing population using American Sign Language. Caitlin has experience working with children with autism as well as AAC “talker” devices.

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Dr. Jennifer Connolly

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Dr. Jennifer Connolly is an Educational and Behavioral Consultant at EASTCONN’s Psychological and Behavioral Consultation department. She also serves as a doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) for the EASTCONN Autism Program. Dr. Connolly received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Connecticut, where she helped conduct research in the areas of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), implementation of school-based behavior plans, and positive teacher-student interactions. Dr. Connolly in trained in conducting a variety of assessments, including diagnostic evaluations, Function Based Assessments (FBAs), psycho-educational evaluations, and ecological evaluations. She has conducted trainings and workshops in ABA, data collection, and classroom management, and has supported teams in developing individualized data-based and evidence-based programming for students with autism and related disabilities. Dr. Connolly also has experience in providing ABA services and consultation in home and community settings. Dr. Connolly is committed to providing high quality services that are data-driven, evidence-based, and focus on student strengths. 

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Evangelynn Toolan

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Ms. Toolan began working for EASTCONN in 2012. In addition to working in specialized programs, she has 10 years of public school experience. She received an Associate’s Degree from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Manchester Community College in 2000 and maintains a national certification with NBCOT. Her comprehensive experience includes working with children ages 3-21 who have a wide range of needs including autism, emotional disabilities and developmental disorders in a school setting as well as post-secondary programs for young adults. As a result of continuing education and workshop attendance, she consistently enhances her skill to assist her students meet their educational goals in such areas as sensory strategies, assistive technology, fine motor and self-help skills.   

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Karen Schenck

PE Teacher

Karen Schenck has been an adapted PE teacher with EASTCONN for the past 33 years.  She has taught PE in the Autism program in Columbia for the past 5 years and loves to provide fun activities for the students that not only teach them PE and leisure skills but provides them with improved self-esteem and confidence in themselves.  Karen has her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in Physical Education and her Master’s degree in early childhood from Eastern.  In her spare time she volunteers with the Windham Special Olympics Program.

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Nicole Daigle, M.Ed.

Special Education Teacher

Nicole is entering her second year as an Early Childhood/ Special Education Teacher of the EASTCONN Autism Program. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood and Special Education with a concentration in Autism Instruction from the University of Saint Joseph’s and two Bachelors of Science degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University in education and child and youth psychology. Nicole has worked with children of all ages with Autism Spectrum Disorders, emotional disabilities and other developmental disorders.

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Ravit R. Stein, PhD, BCBA-D

Director of Psychological and Behavioral Consultation Services

Dr. Ravit Stein earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Lehigh University, where she received extensive training in applied behavior analysis and evidence-based practice across school and clinical settings. Dr. Stein has served as an educational and behavioral consultant in schools and hospitals throughout the Northeast, where she has conducted diagnostic assessments and developed evidence-based behavioral interventions for children with acquired brain injury, ADHD, pervasive developmental disorders, and a variety of other presenting problems including Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, aggression, sleep problems, phobias, and school problems. Dr. Stein is a licensed psychologist, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and oversees the Psychological and Behavioral Consultation Services division at EASTCONN. Dr. Stein supervises the provision of school-based consultation on an individual, whole classroom, or system-wide basis for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), learning, and/or behavior problems. She teaches graduate courses at the Neag School of Education at UCONN and conducts professional development workshops throughout the region. Dr. Stein is committed to collaboration with colleagues and strives to partner with psychologists, pediatricians, educators, administrators, and families to provide quality behavioral health services for children and adolescents with diverse needs. Dr. Stein can be contacted via email at rstein@eastconn.org.

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Rebecca Gianforte

Special Education Teacher

Becky Gianforte is entering her first year working at EASTCONN as a special education teacher.  She recently moved from the seacoast area of New Hampshire where she was a special educator for the past nine years.  Becky has worked in several public schools with students from Pre-K through high school with a variety of needs.  In her nine years of teaching, she taught integrated Pre-K, ran an Autism program and had her own special education classroom.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and Masters of Education from Keene State University.  More recently, Becky completed her BCBA coursework through the University of Cincinnati. 

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Sarah Turner, M.S., CCC-SLP

Speech & Language Therapist

Sarah Turner is a Speech-Language Pathologist with EASTCONN’s Related Service Group.  She graduated from Northeastern University with a master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology.  Prior to working with EASTCONN, Sarah was employed by a private school in Massachusetts where she provided speech and language treatment for children and young adults with Autism.  Currently, Sarah provides a wide range of services, including treatment, assessment and consultation for schools across the northeastern portion of Connecticut.  Sarah can be contacted at sturner@eastconn.org.