Natalie is passionate about using scientific evidence-based approaches to help kids, families, and adults live well-balanced lives. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from Kean University. As a licensed occupational therapist, she has expertise working in early intervention, school-based practice, parent coaching, and private practice. She is a lifelong learner and has extensive continuing education including advanced training in Sensory Integration Theory and Intervention(SIPT), completed all levels of the STAR Sensory Integration Proficiency training, has earned a Fellows Certificate in the DIR-Floortime Model and Foundational Capacities for Development (DIR-FCD), and is currently working towards earning a DIR Trainers Certification. Natalie is driven to support children with developmental differences thrive and reach their potential. Her journey began with the personal experience of supporting her own son overcome many of the challenges of Asperger’s Syndrome. She is strongly committed to supporting and helping families survive the struggles of raising a child who is “differently abled”. Her passion to help children drives her to share her experiences and educate others through workshops and professional presentations. She has previously presented on Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation, Dyslexia and Executive Function, Self-Regulation and Executive Function, and The Occupational Therapist’s Role in College Transition Services for Students with ASD. Natalie has co-developed the Foundations of Executive Functions Program, which is a unique program designed for occupational therapists to identify and provide intervention for children and young adults with executive dysfunction. Natalie’s favorite leisure occupations include hiking, biking, kayaking, traveling and sharing life adventures with her family.

Jerzie-Ann Coppola, PhD, MS, OTR/L  Program Committee

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Jerzie-Ann Coppola is the founder and director of Live Love Grow Therapy, an occupational therapy private practice in central New Jersey that specializes in The Masgutova Method®. As an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience, she is committed to supporting, children, families, and adults in reaching their highest potential. In addition to her role as the director of Live Love Grow Therapy, Jerzie-Ann is an MNRI® Core Specialist and instructor of the Masgutova Method®. She currently serves as a Board Trustee for the North East Regional Early Interventional Collaborative and was awarded the “Community Member Honoree” award in 2014 for her contribution to Helpful Hands®.

Jerzie-Ann received her master’s degree from the University of Scranton in Occupational Therapy where she was awarded the “2002 Outstanding Graduate Award in Occupational Therapy.” Motivated by the understanding that research is the driving force behind best clinical practice, she is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in health science at Seton Hall University. Her research is focused on expanding evidence-based practice of The Masgutova Method® to help facilitate a more robust awareness and acceptance of this method in healthcare and educational systems.

Previous experience includes serving as an adjunct professor of pediatrics at the University of Scranton, vision therapist, school-based therapist, therapist in early intervention, and private practice therapist specializing in sensory integration. Additionally, Jerzie-Ann has served on the curriculum advisory board for both the occupational therapy department at the University of Scranton and the Masgutova Graduate School of Neurodevelopmental Sciences. Outside of work, Jerzie is a wife and proud mom of two boys. She enjoys collecting artwork, traveling, and furniture restoration. In the future, Jerzie-Ann hopes to dedicate more time to research and grant writing.

“Medicine adds days to life, occupational therapy adds life to days.” Unknown “Occupational therapy is where science, creativity and compassion collide.” Jessica Kensky   https://www.livelovegrowtherapy.com/

Patricia S. Lemer is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and practiced as an educational diagnostician for over 40 years. She was a co-founder and served as Executive Director of Developmental Delay Resources (DDR), an international, non-profit organization for 20 years. DDR merged with Epidemic Answers in 2013, and Ms. Lemer served as Board Chair for three years. She holds a Masters of Education in counseling and learning disabilities from Boston College and a Masters in Business from Johns Hopkins University.

Ms. Lemer lectures internationally on developmental delays, including autism spectrum disorders.  She is the published author of countless articles on treating causes, not masking symptoms, by combining a biomedical approach with sensory and movement-based therapies.

Patricia’s third book, the updated and expanded, Outsmarting Autism, Build Healthy Foundations for Communication, Socialization, and Behavior at All Ages was released in March 2019, and given highest praise by the “Library Journal.”  It was the #1 New Release on Amazon in three categories. The updated and expanded Outsmarting Autism won a prestigious Nautilus Book Award in 2019 in the “Parenting” category.  She is also the author of Outsmarting Autism (2014) which won First Prize by The Authors’ Zone (TAZ) in 2015. Her first book was EnVISIONing a Bright Future:  Interventions that Work for Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (2008).

From 2012-2014, Ms. Lemer consulted in Kuwait to establish a center for autistic young adults.  She lives in Pittsburgh, PA and is the mother of an adult daughter and the grandmother of Penelope, born in August, 2006.