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Meet the Staff
The Center’s staff represents many different professional disciplines relevant to diagnosis, treatment, education, and research in autism spectrum disorders, including:
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Susan Henderson, M.S. – Autism Center Director, Psychologist
Susan is a Licensed Psychologist at Burrell Behavioral Health. She has spent the past 20 years working with children and their families in a variety of settings through Burrell. She has worked in the Children's Day Treatment Program and the Outpatient Department at Burrell. She has also worked in the schools through the Caring Communities program, and she saw children and their families at Northside Pediatrics for several years.
“My work with children on the Autistic Spectrum has taught me the value of early intervention. I look forward to leading this talented group of professionals in the development of world class services for children and adults diagnosed with ASD."
Susan has a great love for kids. She believes that all kids are awesome and that our responsibility as adults is to give them opportunities to grow into great kids.
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Jim Sammon, M.D. – Developmental Pediatrician
Dr. Sammon received his premedical education at the University of San Francisco and then moved to Missouri. He received his medical education at St. Louis University and did his Pediatric training at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. After two years in the US Navy, he moved to Springfield to begin pediatrics practice. He practiced General Pediatrics from 1973 until his retirement from St. John’s Hospital in 2007.
Dr. Sammon has always been interested in Developmental Pediatrics and has served on the board of the Learning Disabilities Association. He did a mini-fellowship in Developmental Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts in 1982, Since that time he has devoted much of his practice to children with Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism.
Since retiring from General Pediatrics he has worked with the Burrell Autism Center, helping with the diagnostic evaluations and with medical treatment of Autism.
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Ginger Crabtree, BCaBA – Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Ginger Crabtree is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). She did her coursework and mentorship for
certification with Dr. Vincent Carbone, Carbone Clinic, Valley Cottage, NY. Ginger currently provides consultation to
public school districts, home programs through Missouri First Steps as well as consultation for Burrell Autism Center’s
Behavioral Day Treatment program. Ginger participates in screenings and assessments as a member of Burrell Autism Center’s
Diagnostic Team. She has been doing assessment, consultation, program set up and staff training for over seven years.
She has set up and implemented programming for children ages 18 months to 16 years. Her primary focus at this time is
consultation and intervention for children ages 0 to 8. She assesses verbal behavior using verbal operants described in
B.F. Skinner’s book Verbal Behavior, 1957. Maladaptive behavior is assessed based upon function of behavior using the
principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.
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Candace Burch – Family Resource Specialist
Candace has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Avila University in Kansas City, MO and she is currently working towards obtaining her LPC. She has a variety of experience in the mental health field including working with individuals with disabilities, providing in-home services, and working with victims of trauma and abuse. She has experience using play therapy and Theraplay techniques.
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Linda Skolnick, Psy.D. – Psychologist
Linda Skolnick, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist at Burrell Behavioral Health and a member of the
Burrell Autism Center assessment and treatment team. She provides diagnostic and therapy services for families
and children experiencing autism spectrum disorders as well as other mental health issues. Linda is a graduate
of the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (1996) and a registered play therapist since 2000. She brings
extensive evaluation experience with young children and a DIR © (Developmental, Individual differences,
relationship-based) perspective to the team.
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Allicia D. Baum, Psy.D. – Psychologist
Allicia D. Baum, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist from Ozark, Missouri. She has been employed as a therapist
at Burrell Behavioral Health for the past six years. Professionally, she has worked with families and children
with varying needs and diagnoses. Her primary emphasis is on early and middle childhood issues, including behavioral
disorders, attachment disorders, developmental disorders, as well as mood and anxiety disorders. She is a member of
the Children’s Day Treatment staff at Burrell. Dr. Baum also conducts psychological evaluations through the Burrell
Autism Center as part of a multidisciplinary team established to improve the diagnostics and treatment services
available through Burrell for children on the autism spectrum. Dr. Baum was recognized as one of Springfield
Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honorees in 2008. This award recognizes personal accomplishments in civic and
professional arenas for those under the age of 40 in southwest Missouri. She is a graduate of the Forest Institute
of Professional Psychology.
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Amy Vaughan, BCP, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Amy Vaughan is a licensed occupational therapist with Burrell Behavioral Health, and the
lead occupational therapist for the OT department at Burrell. She is Board Certified in Pediatrics
through the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy and has practiced as a pediatric
therapist for over 13 years. She is a member of the Autism Center assessment team. She is a graduate
of the University of Kansas, and certified in sensory integration testing. She is also certified to
use Interactive Metronome tools as well as Integrated Listening Systems. She brings years of experience
in sensory integration and occupational therapy intervention for children. She has trained hundreds of
individuals in pediatric therapy theory and practical application through seminars, teaching a college
level pediatric course, and as a former module trainer for the Missouri First Steps Program.
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Rebecca (Becky) Koehler, M.A. – Speech Language Pathologist
Rebecca (Becky) Koehler, M.A., is a licensed speech language pathologist who recently joined Burrell Behavioral Health at the Burrell Autism Center. She provides diagnostic and therapy services for children experiencing autism spectrum disorders as well as other communication, speech, and language issues. Becky is a graduate of the University of Kansas in speech pathology (1974) and maintains a Certificate of Clinical Competency from ASHA. She was offered an early retirement incentive from the State of Kansas where she worked for Parsons State Hospital for the past 23 years as Director of the Speech and Hearing Department. She provided community support services through PSH Autism Clinic. Becky has devoted her practice to working with individuals with autism and their families and has over 30 years of experience with individuals with disabilities. She will be working part time for Burrell.
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Katie Parrigon, MS, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Katie is a licensed occupational therapist that joined the Burrell Occupational Therapy Clinic in early spring
of 2009. Her background includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Drury University (2006), and a master’s
degree in occupational therapy from Washington University in St. Louis (2008). Katie brings volunteer and work
experience, including Autism Spectrum Disorders and developmental delays. Working with children is a joy for Katie,
and she looks forward to further developing her skill set as a pediatric occupational therapist.
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Paul Thomlinson, Ph.D. – Research Psychologist
Paul is Vice President of Research And Quality Assurance as well as Corporate Integrity Officer here at Burrell.
Paul is a licensed psychologist with specialities in industrial/organizational, clinical, and experimental psychology.
He is a member of the faculty of several universities and is a regular contributor to the professional literature.
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