Racing Ahead Behavior Specialist
Racing Ahead Behavior Specialists work directly with program supervisors to individualize each child’s program. The Behavior Specialist collaborates with Racing Ahead Supervisors, Interventionists and other professionals involved in your child’s program to ensure best practice at all levels of intervention.

Nicole Sottile graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2002 with a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in English. She received her associate certification in Behavior Analysis in 2009 and her Masters degree from Chapman University with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has been working for Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) with children with developmental disabilities and their families for the past seven years. For the past five years she has served as a program supervisor, creating individual behavior programs targeting communication, social emotional skills, cognitive development and adaptive skills. She led a strong team of six behavior interventionists for the past three years and developed lasting professional relationships with team members and families. She is passionate about early intervention and strives to provide families with the best care and attention possible.

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Racing Ahead Supervisors
Our supervisors work closely with parents to develop each child’s unique intervention plan, monitor progress, and make program changes based on the response to treatment. Our program supervisors develop client goals; monitor client progress; periodically videotape client sessions for supervision; make program modifications as needed; provide parent training and education; conduct quarterly developmental assessments; and conduct meetings with parents and other primary caregivers. Racing Ahead supervisors are dedicated professionals who work alongside families to ensure each child’s progress.

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Racing Ahead Interventionists
Racing Ahead intervention specialists are compassionate professionals who are dedicated to ensuring the success of each child and family with whom they work. Our interventionists are responsible for teaching parents to stimulate their children and encourage them toward a typical developmental track. Interventionists are responsible for implementing the specific protocols as determined by the program supervisor, guided by our “Get Set!” and “Go!” curricula. Our developmental interventionists have a minimum of two years of college level coursework in psychology, education, child development, or a related field, and a minimum of 1 year of experience working with children with disabilities or at-risk for a developmental disorder. Our interventionists are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are expected to meet all Racing Ahead competencies and skills.

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Speech and Language Pathologist
Every child in our Racing Ahead programs is offered consultation from a speech and language pathologist (SLP) at no additional charge to the family. Parents have the opportunity to discuss specific concerns and obtain recommendations.

Brian Roper received his Master of Science in Communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas and his Ph.D. in Developmental Neurology from the New School University- New School for Social Research. Brian has worked with children with spectrum disorders for over seven years and was a Clinical Supervisor for the Hawthorne Foundation in Manhattan for four years. He was also an Adjunct supervisor and guest lecturer at New York University (NYU). He is currently conducting research in language processing in autism spectrum disorders.

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Occupational Therapist
Children and parents in our Racing Ahead programs are offered consultation with an occupational therapist at no additional charge.

Valerie Adams
Valerie Adams has 28 years experience as an occupational therapist, primarily working with children. Her knowledge of children and adolescents with disabilities is extensive and she has been an invited speaker for several professional conferences and workshops to present on topics such as autism, bipolar disorder in children and adolescents, and collaborating with educational teams. She has also been a speaker for numerous parent groups with topics related to sensory processing issues in children with autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities, and learning through play.

In addition to the basic qualifications authorized by the National Board of Certification of Occupational Therapy and the California State Board of Occupational Therapy, Valerie has advanced training in sensory integration and is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. She is a contributing author of the book Guidelines for Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy in California Public Schools. Several of her presentations have been audio taped and made available for purchase.

In 2003 she was the recipient of the Occupational Therapy Practice Award from the Occupational Therapy Association of California. In addition to being an alumnus from the University of Southern California, she has also been an honorary clinical faculty member of the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at USC.

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