The Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism at Utah Valley University improves the quality of life for those living and working with Autism Spectrum Disorder by providing education and training to professionals, providing evidence-based services and education, and fostering a community of belonging.
Jane Carlson
PHD, BCBA-D, LP, LBA
Director of the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism
801-863-5908
NB-215
MS: 311
Laurie Bowen
M.ED, BCBA
Associate Director of Community Outreach, Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism
801-863-8759
NB-219
MS: 311
Alex Phillips
Assistant Director - Major Gifts- School of Edu.
801-863-6576
ME-132A
MS: 126
The National Advisory Council to the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism provides consultation, advocacy, and support for the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism at UVU through ongoing encouragement and development of its programs. The Advisory Council advocates sound, evidence-based program development for the Center and promotes the Center within the region, state, and nation. The Advisory Council helps connect students, faculty and Center employees to the autism community at large.
The Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism Advisory Board is a 100% giving board dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living and working with Autism Spectrum Disorder by preparing students for professional careers in the field, providing evidence-based services and education, and fostering a community of belonging.
Casey Baugh
Chelsea Baugh
Jake Fink
Holly Mero-Bench
Janae Moss
Keith Nellesen
Melisa Nellesen
Cheryl Smith
We want to change the way autism is perceived. We will help pave the way for our kids to reach their potential. We invite others to recognize the great things available through autism.
To establish an environment of autism acceptance, awareness, and support for our children, families and neighbors. To effectively advocate for their needs and ensure access to adequate and appropriate services.
We are parents, siblings, and/or children of someone diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. We have been schooled in autism by living with it every day for a collective 282 years.
Our children have taught us that success can be redefined. We have developed great tenacity by not giving up. Many of us have tried almost everything in an effort to help our children. Our varied backgrounds provide us with skills that have helped us navigate the numerous services, educational needs and situations we have encountered because of autism. We've learned much that can be shared.
Together, we have experience on what is and is not available and what is and is not helpful for our children and others. We have learned how to reach out and communicate about what we need and what the autism community needs to be successful.
We can make things happen.
I'm happy to be part of PAG because I hope that I can have a positive effect on individuals and families dealing with the challenges of autism. I am inspired by my daughter Aubrey. She has high functioning autism. We have learned a lot from our experiences with her. She is a great part of our family. I am also inspired by children and families I deal with at work who are affected by autism.
My experience/connection with autism is primarily my daughter. I also work as a nurse practitioner in a pediatric clinic. I have had many patients over the years that are diagnosed as having autism. I have had the opportunity to work with these children and their families. I hope to help change the level of care and resources available to those with autism.
There are many more options available now than there were when my daughter was diagnosed. But, there are still many needs that go unfulfilled. I love being with my family, skiing, playing and having fun.
I'm happy to be part of PAG because I would like to be able to help other families and individuals facing challenges related to autism. My inspiration for doing so is my daughter Aubrey who has high functioning autism. She faces her challenges with courage and a positive attitude. She has taught me a lot about love, patience and what really matters in this life.
My experience with autism is mostly related to my daughter-I best contribute my experiences with autism as a parent. I hope to be able to make sure that adequate resources and support are provided for all ages and stages of people with autism. I enjoy having fun, laughing and being around great people.
Although we noticed several developmental delays and other differences in our third son, we didn't run into any serious problems until we tried to engage him in pre-school. It isn't just that he would not participate, he could not. This led to a flurry of events including a complete diagnostic workup at the University of Utah, successfully lotterying him into Spectrum Academy for kindergarten, and beginning our life long learning journey into the world of those living somewhere on the Autism spectrum. In those early days we felt completely overwhelmed, and it was people in our communities that came to our aid and saved us. Bryan is now a teenager, and doing very well in school, but continues to struggle with social interactions.
We wonder what his future will hold, but know that his opportunities are much greater through the M.N. Autism Center.
"Progress is Progress No Matter How Small" has been The Strong Family motto since their first child was born 9 years ago. Will and Tiffany Strong are excited to be a part of the Parent Advisory Group. Will Strong is a Middle School History teacher at Walden School of Liberal Arts in Provo. Tiffany Strong is the K-8 Special Education Director, also at Walden. They have two amazing boys Max and Dexter.
Max was diagnosed with Autism at age three, he also has the additional diagnosis of an intellectual disability and severe mood disorder. He has paved the way for their passion as Autism Advocates, especially focused on acceptance and understanding in the community. Dexter, their youngest child also has an Autism Diagnosis along with Epilepsy. Both of their children have opened their eyes to the magical world of special needs parenting. They have found that as hard as some days can be, the smallest accomplishments bring the most joy.
Will and Tiffany are honored to be a part of the Parent Advisory Group. As educators, they both feel they can bring a unique perspective to the group because of their work in Special Education. They are looking forward to advocating for families as they navigate the world of Autism in Utah.
The Moulton's son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of eight years old, eight years ago. Two years later, Jenni started working at Spectrum Academy (a charter school for K-12 students dealing with autism as well as other types of neurodiversity) in Pleasant Grove, Utah, first as a Paraprofessional and later as an assistant to the Special Education Director. She then moved on to Ignite Entrepreneurship Academy in Lehi, Utah, where she continues working with children dealing with learning challenges as a Special Education Paraprofessional.
Ben is a professor of developmental mathematics at Utah Valley University (UVU). Since his son's diagnosis, Ben has been seeking out and championing college students with Autism. He regularly works with the staff at the Melisa Nelleson Center for Autism at UVU to help train faculty on how to effectively work with neuro-diverse students. Being a part of the parent advisory group was simply the next logical step for Jenni and Ben. This group is a way to help get the word out to the community that no one has to deal with Autism by themselves. There are so many resources out there that can help with Autism, and this group is a fantastic conduit to help.
My name is Emily Ybarra and I am happy to be a part of the Parent Advisory Group because I feel my experiences, ideas, and passions can be utilized and inspire change and improve the quality of life for those on the autism spectrum and their families. I feel a deep sense of responsibility to help those around me who struggle and through the PAG-I am grateful to have a place to do that.
I am inspired by, of course, my son, Cruise, who is an autism rockstar. His passion and love for life greatly affect my attitude towards autism and the many possibilities and opportunities that can and should be given to everyone's children, despite ability level. I am also inspired by the many professionals and fellow autism parents who I have had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with and becoming friends with over the years. It is through their dedication and hard work that I feel the motivation and inspiration to contribute.
My goal in participating in the PAG is to better educate the public about autism and the many incredible things that individuals with autism can contribute and offer society. I hope to give individuals with autism a voice and a chance to self-advocate and enrich the world with their unique talents and viewpoints. I also hope to help families struggling, needing guidance or just a community home where they can feel welcome and not judged.
I';m married to an amazing autism dad named Dave and I am a stay-at-home mom of three wild boys (affectionately nicknamed "The Three Stooges"), the oldest being on the spectrum. I love spending time with my family and playing Scrabble and watching Hulu late at night with my husband. I am an advocate for autism, sensory processing disorder, and mental health. I, myself, am diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorders and try my best to end the stigma associated with mental illness. In my free time, I am the drummer in a band called The Swoop, I hide from my children to eat chocolate and I really love to sleep.
As a parent, I have found that the most important factor for our family's success in facing the challenges of raising special needs children is the strength of our community. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this parent advisory group and further strengthen our community of families affected by autism-which really is all of us!
I know very first hand about the seemingly impossible uphill journey families affected by autism as well as other special needs are on. Our family has been on that journey for 21 years and we have been lifted along the way by angels in our community-some who have been on this journey themselves and some who have not. My greatest wish is to give back by cheering and supporting and clearing the way for these courageous families who are making their way through the jungle of special needs issues. I love meeting these families, hearing their stories and interacting with their very unique and inspiring children.
My husband, Darin and I have four children. Our oldest has high functioning autism. Our next oldest is deaf, epileptic and cognitively impaired. Our third has fought extreme sensory processing issues along with social anxiety. Although most of my work has been with our own children, our family's unique circumstances have given me opportunity to work with other families through early intervention services, as a public school math lab teacher and tutor and through running a private school's special needs scholarship program as a special needs advocate and tutor.
In addition to the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism parent advisory group, I am a member of ARUCC (Autism Resources of Utah County Council) and Scenic View Academy's parent board. I am encouraged to see the great work being done by so many people in building a community of acceptance, support and opportunity for our wonderful special families. I continually look forward to the day that the foundation of support and awareness in our community is so pervasive and so accessible that families raising special children can replace fear and isolation with confidence and comradery, and where their children have every reason to look forward to a happy and fulfilling future in a world that appreciates their very important contributions. I hope to be a voice that can guide our community in this direction.
Kim Santiago is married to Brian Santiago and is the mother of four children; Whitney, Jaxon, Colson and McKay. Their oldest son, McKay was diagnosed at 3 1/2 years old with autism. Kim has often shared "McKay's life with autism is the one thing in our lives that has kept us on our toes and brought us to our knees." Kim is serving on the parent advisory board to help with efforts to raise awareness and improve the quality of life for individuals and families learning to navigate a life with autism.
