Our Mission
We at The Autism Helper, Inc. are dedicated to empowering those who support individuals with Autism by providing resources, tools, and the methods to measure success. We aim to support teachers, parents, clinicians, and administrators. We share easy to understand strategies through our blog, podcast, and training videos. We provide in-depth training in our CE Courses, live events, and Professional Development Membership. We create engaging and high quality academic resources and curriculum for students of all ages. Our goal is to bring value by focusing on positive behavior change, having high expectations, and utilizing data based decisions.

Sasha Long, BCBA, M.A.
Founder and President
Sasha Long, BCBA, M.A., is the founder and president of The Autism Helper, Inc. A board-certified behavior analyst and former special education teacher, Sasha is dedicated to sharing effective strategies through her blog, podcast, membership, and online courses. As an international speaker and consultant, she provides personalized training to parents, educators, therapists, and administrators in the autism community. Sasha also served as an adjunct professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Miami University and a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Matthew Long
Chief Growth Officer
Matthew Long is the Chief Growth Officer at The Autism Helper, Inc. He plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth by expanding its reach through innovative marketing and online strategies. In addition to supporting overall management and execution, Matt focuses on fostering sustainable growth across all business functions, ensuring that The Autism Helper continues to thrive and impact broader audiences.

Fran Homan, MTA, MBA
Chief Operating Officer
Fran Homan, MTA, MBA, leads The Autism Helper’s team and manages its operations, overseeing the implementation of business strategies, plans, and procedures. She earned her undergraduate degrees in International Business and Marketing from Loyola University Chicago, followed by a Master of Tourism Administration and an MBA from The George Washington University School of Business. A native of a small town in Wisconsin, Fran has a passion for travel and considers Rome, Italy, and Chicago as her second homes.

Brittany McGuffin
Head of Operations
Brittany McGuffin is the Head of Operations at The Autism Helper, Inc., where she has been a dedicated team member since 2019. She excels in managing customer service, event coordination, and bookkeeping, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional service for TAH’s clientele and network members. Brittany graduated Cum Laude from the University of West Florida with a bachelor’s degree in human biology. Based in Pensacola Beach, Florida, she is passionate about working with the incredible people within the TAH community.

Hailey Deloya-Vegter, BCBA, M.A.
School Account Manager
Hailey Deloya-Vegter, BCBA, M.A., assists current and incoming school districts in finding Autism Helper resources tailored to their specific needs. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and licensed special education teacher. Hailey earned her undergraduate degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Before joining TAH, she worked as a special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools and served as an Autism Specialist, coach, and curriculum and professional development lead in Minneapolis Public Schools.

Sarah Wrenn
Project Manager
Sarah Wrenn is the Project Manager at The Autism Helper, Inc., where she oversees the Professional Development Membership and manages projects across various stages of development. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies from the Frederick Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University. After a decade in the legal field, Sarah chose to pivot her career, bringing her skills and experience to The Autism Helper.

Paige Marley
Digital Marketing & Design Manager
Paige Marley is the Digital Marketing & Design Manager at The Autism Helper, Inc. She creates dynamic content, manages social media channels, and elevates the TAH brand. Paige graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Psychology, recognizing the critical role that design plays in digital marketing. Before joining TAH, she taught in public schools, outdoor education, and an ABA setting, eventually transitioning to full-time graphic design and digital marketing. Outside of work, Paige enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and working on her latest creative projects.

Sadie Bailey, M.A. CCC-SLP
Product Manager
Sadie Bailey, M.A., CCC-SLP, is an ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist who designs and creates products and content for The Autism Helper. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Before joining TAH, Sadie worked with the Chicago Public Schools, private therapeutic schools, and schools for the medically complex. She is passionate about using her expertise to develop content that supports a diverse population of educators, clinicians, students, and families.

Jen Koenig, M.A. LBS1, DOSE
Product Development & School Accounts Manager
Jen Koenig, M.A., LBS1, DOSE, is a seasoned educator with over 25 years of experience working with autistic children. At The Autism Helper, she develops products and curriculum and supports teachers and administrators in implementing Curriculum Access. A certified general and special education teacher and Director of Special Education, Jen has also served as an adjunct professor at McKendree University, mentoring future special education teachers. Before joining TAH, she trained educators globally, was nominated twice for Teacher of the Year, and has published several studies in respected academic and ABA journals.

Eleni Duchaine
E-Commerce and Curriculum Manager
Eleni manages The Autism Helper’s storefront and oversees content and user experience for The Autism Helper’s Curriculum Access. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Language Arts from Kent State University. For eight years, Eleni taught 10th-grade English in inner-city Ohio school districts, focusing on inclusion classrooms. Passionate about integrating technology into classroom instruction to support all learners, she is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Educational Technology.

Gina Crovetti, LPC, ATR
Blog Manager
Gina Crovetti, LPC, ATR, manages The Autism Helper, Inc.’s team of bloggers and contributes to social media content creation. She is an art therapist and licensed professional counselor at a behavioral hospital, where she provides mental health services to children and adults with special needs in both school and hospital settings. Outside of work, Gina and her dog, Mandy, enjoy long walks through Chicago’s many parks.
Our Blogger Team

Heather Hoeft
Preschool Special Education Teacher
Heather Hoeft is special education teacher in the preschool setting. Heather shares strategies and ideas from her self-contained classroom. Her classroom utilizes Applied Behavior Analysis instructional methods of discrete trial training, pivotal response training, and teaching functional routines. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from Northern Illinois University and Masters in Special Education from Concordia University.

Michelle Lindenmuth
Primary Self-Contained Special Education Teacher
Michelle is a primary self-contained teacher in a Southern California autism program. Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as a paraprofessional. She has an undergraduate degree in Psychology as well as a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Michelle has a passion for mentoring new teachers. In the classroom, she thrives on teaching her students independence and social skills as well as creating memories and lasting relationships with students and their families.

Katie McKenna
Occupational Therapist
Katie McKenna is an occupational therapist working with students in the school setting. Katie has worked with students of all ages, from early childhood up to high school transition. Before she was an OT, Katie worked as an in-home respite worker as well as an inclusion aide. Katie earned an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Saint Louis University, and a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Kristie Owens
Homeschooling Parent & Former Special Ed Teacher
Kristie is a former special education teacher who currently homeschools her 3 amazing sons who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kristie loves to share her ideas, tips, and tricks to make every family’s homeschool adventures easier and more enjoyable!

Gina Russell
Preschool Special Education Teacher
Gina Russell is a special education teacher with experience working in the elementary school setting from self-contained to partial, limited, and full inclusion. Gina has collaborated with Sasha in creating a comprehensive classroom and developing professional development for her county. Gina received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Salisbury University and has a Masters in Special Education from Wilmington University.

Ashley Linz
Autism Specialist
Ashley Linz is an Autism Specialist in the school setting, working with students from early childhood through 12th grade. She has experience at the secondary level as a paraprofessional and special education teacher in a self-contained classroom, as well as a swim instructor for children and adults with Autism. Ashley shares ideas, strategies, and tips from her experiences in and outside of the classroom. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Leisure, Youth, and Human Services with an emphasis in programming and youth services from the University of Northern Iowa and Masters degree in Special Education from Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

Susan Bitler
Parent & Teacher
Susan is a mom, a writer, a teacher, and a lifelong learner. She lives in Wyomissing, PA with her three children. She hopes that her experiences with her daughter, who was diagnosed with Autism at age two, can help build awareness and acceptance for individuals with Autism.