Directions to school and calendar.

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. 

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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 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., CCC-SLP

Assistive Technology Specialist/ Speech-Language Pathologist

Caitlin is a Speech-Language Pathologist working with EASTCONN’s Related Service Group, Assistive Technology team, and Birth to Three. 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-specializing in working with the Deaf and hard of hearing population using American Sign Language. She completed her Clinical Fellowship Year with EASTCONN in 2019.  Caitlin has participated in continuing education courses focusing on Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP), Social Thinking, and Visual Phonics.   Caitlin has clinical experience working with in-home early intervention, public schools, Autism schools, and 18-21 transitional programs. There, she assesses many areas of speech and language, provides speech therapy services, speech improvement group services, and consults with the educational team.  Caitlin is licensed by the state of Connecticut and has her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Caitlin can be reached at cconnelly@eastconn.org. 

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Claire Pellino

Special Education Teacher

Claire is entering her first year as a Special Education teacher with EASTCONN, and her third year with the EASTCONN agency. The past two years, she worked as an ABA instructor in EASTCONN Autism Program, and served as lead instructor this past school year. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University with a minor in Studio Art in 2016, and her graduate studies have focused on Comprehensive Special Education Grades K-12. She has experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a variety of settings including in the special education classroom, in post-secondary transition services, and through community engagement programs. Outside of school, Claire enjoys spending time with her family, pets, and doing DIY projects! This year, she is looking forward to completing her first year as a Special Education teacher at EASTCONN Autism Program, and working as a team to provide the best support for her students!

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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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Erin Walsh, MOT, OTR/L

Occupational Therapist

Erin Walsh is a registered occupational therapist at EASTCONN. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Allied Health Sciences from UConn in 2016 and she graduated from Bay Path University in 2018 with a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. Erin provides a wide range of occupational therapy services to students at EAP as well as at the Clinical Day Treatment sites within the EASTCONN program. She has had experience working with the geriatric population in skilled nursing facilities as well as with the pediatric population at a daycare center, with children ranging from birth-5 years of age.

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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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JoAnne Lambert

Assistive Technology Specialist/ Speech-Language Pathologist

JoAnne Lambert is an Assistive Technology Specialist and Speech-Language Pathologist within EASTCONN’s Related Services group.  She received her Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Rhode Island.  JoAnne provides a wide range of speech and language services across Northeast Connecticut including assessment and intervention for a variety of communication disorders.  Prior to working for EASTCONN, Joanne worked as a medical-based speech-language pathologist for over 10 years, providing speech and language services to both adults and children. 

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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.