latest news

Sign up today for Summer Courses:
Sounds In Syllables Reading with Sandra Dillon
Multisensory Math 1 with Marilyn Zecher

Course Descriptions

 
Technology Tip

Download audiobooks for free from Maryland Public libraries


how to contact us

.

view the calendar


 

ASDEC FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES

  Anthony Henley, Psy.D.
Clinical psychologist licensed in the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 19 years of experience as a learning disabilities specialist providing remediation, evaluation, and consultation services. Dr. Henley is registered with the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and a member of the American Psychological Association, the International Dyslexia Association, and Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.  In addition, Dr. Henley is the current the President of the D.C. Capital Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.

Dr. Henley chairs the Levinson-Block-Henley Collaborative, a group of diagnosticians and academic therapists that have met since 1990 to encourage professional collaboration and support. In 2008 ASDEC awarded Dr. Henley as an Outstanding Professional by the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center for his work on behalf of learning-disabled individuals and their families. 
   
  Sandra Dillon, M.A., CALT
Ms. Dillon is the Director of the Multisensory Language Training Institute of New Mexico, and developer and author of Sounds In Syllables, a nationally-recognized, multisensory structured language therapy used to remediate struggling readers. For 21 years, Ms. Dillon was Director of the Language Clinic for Dyslexic Students in the Albuquerque Public Schools, which at that time was the 11th largest school district in the nation. She initiated the Language Clinic program, which served as an intensive remedial model program for schools. Ms. Dillon has also served as past president of the New Mexico Branch of the International Dyslexia Association.
   
  Claire Nissenbaum, M.A., C.A.T
Ms. Nissenbaum is Founder of the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center (ASDEC), a nationally-accredited program for teacher training and academic therapy, located in Rockville, Maryland. Ms. Nissenbaum has over 30 years experience working in the field of language-based learning differences. She was a principal in the TRI-Services National Institute of Dyslexia for 15 years. She has trained teachers in the Kent County (Maryland) Public Schools and at Chelsea School (Maryland), and students at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. She is a Board Member of the International Multisensory Structured Language Association (IMSLEC) and a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the 32 Scottish Rite Masons Childrens Learning Centers. Ms. Nissenbaum is a Fellow of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. She is a frequent presenter at national conferences of the International Dyslexia Association, and is a contributor to the graduate-level textbook, Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills, Second Edition (2003). Ms. Nissenbaum authored the chapter, “Learning Strategies and Study Skills: The SkORE System.”
   
  Jane Wilson Hanson, M.A., CALT
Ms. Hansen has a MA in Human Resource Developement with graduate study in Human Development at Reading.  She has served as a school administrator, President of a Management Development  and training program.  In 1999, Ms. Hanson founded a consulting practice that focuses on helping managers and leaders reach their potential though coaching and development. Ms. Hanson received her certification as an ASDEC Academic Therapist in 2006. MS Hanson also served as Executive Director of ASDEC.
   
  Laurie Heuple, M.Ed., C.A.T.
Working as a Certified Academic Therapist since 2007, Ms. Heuple has a MA in Special Education and a BA in Special Education: Learning Disabilities.  Ms Heuple has worked in education since 1992 and has been certified to complete full educational evaluations.
   
  Merida Hurkett, M.S., CALT
Ms. Hurkett is currently a Clinical Director at ASDEC in addition to her responsibilities as a supervisor and Master Teacher.  Ms. Hurkett has a MS in Special Education and received her certification as an Academic Therapist in 2005 and is a member of the Academic Language Therapy Association.
   
  Traude Smith, M.Ed., CALT
Ms. Smith has been a supervisor at ASDEC since 2004 and will be co-clinical director in December 2009.  She completed her training as academic therapist in 1988 and has worked with dyslexic children ever since.  Ms Smith has B.A. in speech pathology and a M.Ed in education.  Her background training in speech pathology and teaching the hearing impaired has been of benefit in this work.
   
  Marilyn Zecher, M.A., CALT
Ms Zecher is a former classroom and demonstration teacher in an Orton-Gillingham based public school program. She holds a BA in education and a BA and MA in English.  In 2004, Ms. Zecher received her certification as an Academic Therapist specializing in multisensory mathematics and study skills. She helped to develop ASDEC’s Multisensory Mathematics program that apply Orton-Gillingham instructional techniques to the teaching on mathematics.  Ms. Zecher is a presenter at at both IDA and LDA national conferences and has trained both public and private school teachers as well as academic therapists in multisensory mathematics instructional techniques, handwriting, multisensory study skills and educational strategies for the gifted and talented dyslexic student. 
   
  Sally Duckworth, B.S., CALT
Ms Duckworth has a B.S. in elementary education and worked for 11 years as a teacher. For three of those years, Ms. Duckworth taught a GED program for Adults.  At ASDEC, Ms. Duckworth has served as Clinical Director, Supervisor, Director of the Summer Program, Multisensory Study Skills Instructor, and Master teacher.  Ms. Duckworth is a past presenter at the International Dyslexia Association conference. She has worked as a Certified Academic Therapist since 1996.
   
  Patti Edison, R.N., C.A.T.
Ms. Edison has worked as a Certified Academic Therapist since 1994 and has served as ASDEC's Clinical Coordinator of Intern Training Program, Director of the Summer Program for Dyslexic Adolescents, Intern Supervisor, and Master Teacher.  A past presenter at the annual International Dyslexia Conferences, Ms. Edison worked as a Critical Care Registered Nurse prior to joining the ASDEC team.
   
  Joy Jacques, R.N., C.A.T.
Ms. Jacques, Certified Academic Therapist, has been working in the field of academic therapy since 2002.  Her previous career was Critical Care R.N.  Ms. Jacques serves ASDEC as a Supervisor and Master Teacher.   

 

*Certified Academic Language Therapist
+ Certified Academic Therapist