About Katrina
I grew up in a large family, the 2nd oldest of 7 children. I always loved working with children and knew I would do so my whole life. I studied at the University of Minnesota where I got my degree in Family Social Science with a minor in Youth Studies and a dream to change the world. During that time I started working with children with autism at the Fraser Child and Family Center in MN. From there I worked for individual families doing respite and ABA for several years amongst other jobs such as running a mentoring program, and working in schools. I also met and fell in love with my husband who continues to be an amazing support today.
In 2006 I began working with a family that forever changed my life. They introduced me to the concept of developmental play therapy. After watching a documentary on one family's inspiring story of hope, I finally knew exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. While I had worked with many children with autism and loved them, I never felt very enthusiastic about anything I saw and it was a job more than a career. In fact, life for these children with autism had seemed hard and therapies seemed slow, ineffective and sometimes harsh. After being introduced to developmental play therapy, I believed that children and families could be happy no matter what happens with autism and therapy could be fun and powerful! I wanted to be part of the amazing things that I had seen in the documentary.
Life did not disappoint me. I trained at the Autism Treatment Center of America, home of the Son-Rise Program® in Sheffield, MA and became part of their elite crew. I worked amongst the top names in my field as a certified senior facilitator between 2007 and February 2013. I have seen and continue to see miracles on a regular basis when I work with children through love and challenge children through their own motivations. I see families' lives change from feeling overwhelmed and confused to inspired and excited. I love my job and I've worked with over 400 children and families using different forms of developmental play therapy.
In 2006 I began working with a family that forever changed my life. They introduced me to the concept of developmental play therapy. After watching a documentary on one family's inspiring story of hope, I finally knew exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. While I had worked with many children with autism and loved them, I never felt very enthusiastic about anything I saw and it was a job more than a career. In fact, life for these children with autism had seemed hard and therapies seemed slow, ineffective and sometimes harsh. After being introduced to developmental play therapy, I believed that children and families could be happy no matter what happens with autism and therapy could be fun and powerful! I wanted to be part of the amazing things that I had seen in the documentary.
Life did not disappoint me. I trained at the Autism Treatment Center of America, home of the Son-Rise Program® in Sheffield, MA and became part of their elite crew. I worked amongst the top names in my field as a certified senior facilitator between 2007 and February 2013. I have seen and continue to see miracles on a regular basis when I work with children through love and challenge children through their own motivations. I see families' lives change from feeling overwhelmed and confused to inspired and excited. I love my job and I've worked with over 400 children and families using different forms of developmental play therapy.
I started Inspired Spectrums in the fall of 2010 because I wanted to be home with my own growing family more as well as be a part of so many others' amazing journeys. In 2013 I decided to grow myself from any particular brand of autism therapy to be able to customize my techniques depending upon the needs of the child and help families more. Using these individualized techniques, I have seen even more incredible results!! I continue to expand my training by attending autism conferences and complementary workshops and bring all of my knowledge with me into families' playrooms and living rooms in person or through telephone and video conferencing.
I have two awesome little daughters of my own and I love to see how all my parenting, play, and autism training applies everywhere in life including with my own children. I truly love my "job" and the families and children that I am blessed to work with locally and worldwide. I have learned so much from all of you - thank you for being a part of my life!
I have two awesome little daughters of my own and I love to see how all my parenting, play, and autism training applies everywhere in life including with my own children. I truly love my "job" and the families and children that I am blessed to work with locally and worldwide. I have learned so much from all of you - thank you for being a part of my life!
