Matt has been part of the ASNC Clinical team since 2014. Matt began his work with people with autism in 2008 with ASNC’s Camp Mountain Adventure, which gave him a passion for working with people with ASD. Matt is happy to be back in the mountains of North Carolina and at the Autism Society. He earned his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from UNC-Wilmington in 2013. Following school, Matt gained experience working across the age range in a variety of settings, including early intervention in homes and clinics, developmental centers, schools, homes, and the community. He has a background in assisting with challenging behaviors and skill development. In his current role at ASNC, Matt provides behavioral consultation in the Asheville region.
Merlin began her work with individuals with developmental disabilities in 2011 at a small private school in St. Petersburg Florida. There, she worked as a behavior therapist while working towards becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Upon graduating from the University of South Florida in 2015 with a degree in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, she became the clinical supervisor at a new campus, focusing on increasing independent living skills with teenagers. After five years working in private schools, she became a private contractor working independently in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Here she worked with individuals from 2 to 19 years of age with a variety of diagnosis and medical needs. Merlin moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in September of 2018 to join the team at ASNC. Since then, she has worked with families to develop programs to improve communication, social, leisure skills and independence with daily living. In her role, Merlin also develops and delivers workshops and webinars to families and professionals. Merlin is passionate about increasing access to resources and supports to families, and delivering training to professionals to promote culturally responsive service provision. Merlin comenzó su trabajo con personas con discapacidades en el 2011 en una escuela privada en St. Petersburg, Florida. Allí, trabajó como terapeuta mientras estudiava para convertirse en una analista de comportamiento certificada (BCBA pro sus siglas en ingles). Después de graduarse de la Universidad del Sur de Florida en 2015 con un título en Rehabilitación y Consejería de Salud Mental, se convirtió en la supervisora clínica en una escuela privada, trabajando con adolescentes. Después de cinco años trabajando en escuelas privadas, se convirtió en una contratista y trabajaba en el area de Tampa Bay en Florida. Aquí trabajó con personas de 2 a 19 años de edad con una variedad de diagnósticos y necesidades médicas. Merlin se mudó a Raleigh, Carolina del Norte en septiembre de 2018 para unirse al equipo de ASNC. Desde entonces, ha trabajado con las familias para ayudar a desarrollar programas para mejorar la comunicación, las habilidades sociales, de ocio y la independencia con la vida diaria. También ha trabajado para presentar y desarrollar materiales de entrenamiento para familias y la comunidad. A Merlin le apasiona aumentar el acceso al apoyo y los servicios a las familias y proporcionar entrenamiento a otros profesionales para que puedan proporcionar servicios culturalmente apropiados.
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