About

Renee Plata, MS ED, Director

Renee has over 15 years of experience as a Special Educator for infants and young children. She has worked the majority of her career with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Renee’s experience includes consulting with families and school systems on cognitive, social, behavioral and IEP development. Renee is Level 1 DIR certified. She is also a parent of a young adult on the spectrum, which equips her with insight to address daily needs of our families.

Lynn Graves, MS CCC-SLP, Speech Pathologist

Lynn has over 20 years of experience as a certified Speech Language Pathologist. She works with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Motor Speech Disorders and Language Delays. Lynn is the only Speech Pathologist trained in PROMPT therapy in Alabama. She is also trained in ABLC Therapy and is Level 1 DIR certified.

Nicole Rollier, M.S., OTR/L

We are proud to announce that Nicole is joining our staff, effective July, 2011. She has her degree in Occupational Therapy from Keuka College in New York and has worked in a variety of setting with children and adults. Most recently she has been a therapist with the Gaston County North Carolina school system. Nicole is an expert gymnast having competed for many years and has discovered yoga and practices regularly. Nicole’s work at Puzzle Piece will concentrate on sensory processing, visual spatial reasoning, body awareness, hand eye coordination and problem solving. Besides individual occupational therapy, Nicole will also be offering sensory motor groups.

Erin Brunson, M.S.

Erin Brunson received her Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). During her time at UAB, Erin participated in a federally funded grant program designed to enhance communication and collaboration among service providers to provide best practice services in the early intervention natural environment. She has professional experience as a lead special education teacher in a preschool setting for children with ASD at Mitchell's Place, as well as providing consultation and training to school systems during her time at Glenwood, Inc. She is also is the founder of Autism Integrated Services (AIS) and has worked in home and school programs. Erin currently works with AASCG as an Educational Consultant and Lead Teacher in a variety of social skill groups. Erin's role Puzzle Piece will concentrate on developing and leading the preschool program. Erin intends to pursue interests as they relate to the life-long learning of individuals with ASD.

Puzzle Piece uses fun to bring a child-centered learning approach to help children build a foundation for positive social communication, cognitive development and motor skills.

The Puzzle Piece philosophy states there is no “one size fits all” for children with special needs. We develop the program to fit your child’s needs.

Anesha Richards, Life Coach/Educational Coach

Anesha has been with our company for three years working with families carrying out their individualized plans. She is a graduate of the University of Montevallo with a B.S. in Speech Pathology. She currently is working with students in the Birmingham City School System while pursuing her Masters in Speech Pathology.

Jennifer Cripps, Movement Ed. Specialist

Jennifer received a B.S. in Psychology from LSU and did 3 year of graduate work in Clinical Psychology at Northwestern University of Louisiana. For the past 10 years, she has been a Movement Education teacher at the Redmont School, which is now the Waldorf School of Alabama. In August 2009, Jennifer received her Level I Spacial Dynamics certification. She is currently pursuing her Level II certification, which is equivalent to a Movement Therapy Certification.