Staff
Amy Corbin, M.Ed.
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Educational Consultant
Amy Corbin has been working with children on the autism spectrum for almost 15 years as a special education teacher, early interventionist, evaluator, and consultant. She served as an early intervention specialist on the Autism Initiative where she provided autism programming consultation to service providers in metro Atlanta. She worked at the Emory Autism Center for six years as the educational coordinator for the Walden Early Childhood Center, a program that has received international attention for it´s inclusive approach to early intervention for children with autism aged 15 months-5 years. Also at Emory, Amy was part of the MONARCH Program, designing inclusive school practices for children with autism throughout the state. Amy has her Master´s degree in Behavior Disorders and is currently studying for the exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. While Amy has lived in Atlanta for the past 17 years, she grew up here in Nashville. She is delighted to have recently moved back to her hometown and lives in Sylvan Park with her five-year-old daughter. Amy is passionate about quality inclusive treatment programs where children with autism learn and play alongside their typically developing friends.
Lauren Hampton, M.ED.
 "Lauren Hampton, M.ED.")
Behavioral Consultant
Lauren has a Bachelor´s degree from Baylor University in Psychology and recently graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Master´s degree in Special Education. She is currently completing the BCBA certification process and has over 5 years experience working with children with autism spectrum disorders as a teacher, therapist, parent trainer, and researcher. Lauren has a true passion for children with autism and seeks to best serve these children and their families by implementing evidence-based practices, making data based decisions, and empowering parents with the skills and knowledge to support their child´s education.
Jessica Haedge, B.A.
 "Jessica Haedge, B.A.")
Clinical Director & Behavioral Interventionist
Little did Jessica know when she took a job as a behavior therapist during her undergraduate years at York College that she had found her career path. She was quickly promoted to senior therapist, and upon completing her BA in Psychology, she worked as a senior behavioral therapist for the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention in Minneapolis, MN. She moved to Tennessee in 2008, and is pleased to be able to continue her career as a behavior therapist with the Brown Center. She has plans to begin pursuing her Masters degree in the winter of 2010. Jessica is passionate about working with children with developmental disabilities, and is thrilled to be a part of BCA and a fully integrated ABA team.
Jodi Heidlage, BSW
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Behavioral Interventionist & SLP Support
Jodi is a recent graduate of Lipscomb University. She received her Bachelor of Social Work degree after completing her spring practicum at The Brown Center. During her practicum, she conducted home and school visits, as well as assisted therapists at the center. Jodi developed a passion for children with ASD during her practicum experience. Jodi also has several years of experience with children of all ages, having worked at an early education center during college. Jodi believes in the comprehensive approach of BCA, and is very excited to interact more with the children, family, and staff of The Brown Center.
Angela Higgins
 "Angela Higgins")
Executive Assistant
Angela Higgins has 15 years of Public Relations experience and 10 years experience as the parent of a child with Asperger's Syndrome. Angela not only serves as assistant to our Executive Director, but also as an enthusiastic resource and liaison for our famlies. Angela brings a compassionate heart, gentle nature and fun-loving spirit to our team. Angela's personal experience with Autism is the reason she made the decision to join The Brown Center. In 2006, when her own child was diagnosed, Angela had the good fortune of crossing paths with Executive Director, Juli Liske, who brought a wealth of information, guidance, and support into her life. Angela's mission today is to be a part of a dynamic team that positively impacts the lives of other children in the very same way hers has been positively impacted by the philosophies and principles The Brown Center was founded upon.
Kayla Jackson, M.S. CCC-SLP
 "Kayla Jackson, M.S. CCC-SLP")
Speech-Language Pathologist
Kayla Jackson is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 8 years experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Kayla is a native Nashvillian who recieved her bachelors in Communication Disorders from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Vanderbilt University. She was part of an autism intervention training grant during her graduate studies at Vanderbilt. Kayla provided communication assessments and intervention at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center for 6 years, where she served as the leader of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Team. Kayla´s experience includes supervision, training, and mentoring of graduate students, interns, and clinical staff. She has presented information on ASD and evidenced-based intervention strategies to various groups at several local and state conferences and seminars. Her intervention philosophy focuses on implementing evidence-based strategies and utilizes a pragmatic and functional approach to improving communication, social skills, and behavior. She strongly believes in the importance of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary collaborative approach that is family centered and includes parent training. She is a committed advocate for families affected by autism and is dedicated to promoting awareness and providing education in the community. Kayla is an active volunteer for causes related to ASD and served as the Event Chair for the 2010 "Pieces of Hope" Benefit for the Autism Society of Middle Tennessee, the agency´s largest annual fundraiser. She lives in Oak Hill with her husband and son.
Gordon Liske
 "Gordon Liske")
Behavioral Interventionist
Gordon Liske has almost eight years experience as an intensive ABA therapist working one-on-one with young children with autism. Gordon has a proven track record of working successfully with children in general--but most especially those with autism. Himself a father of a child diagnosed with autism in 2002, Gordon served tirelessly as a primary therapist in his own son's intensive and successful ABA program. As a result of his reputation in the autism community as both a dedicated and involved father, as well as a competent ABA therapist, Gordon became involved in working with other children with autism in the Middle Tennessee area. Gordon brings to The Brown Center a warm-hearted nature and a true love and talent for helping other children with autism reach many of the same milestones he helped his own child reach. Gordon also actively works in the autism community providing a positive example, encouragement, and support to other fathers of children with autism--teaching them about the powerful influence and responsibility of fathers in helping their child realize his or her greatest potential.
Joy Nixon, MOTR/L
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Occupational Therapist
Joy is a native of the Nashville area and graduated from Tennessee State University with her Master´s in Occupational Therapy. Prior to becoming an Occupational Therapist, Joy recieved her Bachelor´s degree in Psychology. For four years, Joy was an advocate for kids and teenagers with special needs. She has a strong passion for pediatric Occupational Therapy, especially children on the autism spectrum. Joy loves experiencing the great diversity in working with each unique child with ASD. She is excited about joining the Brown Center and working in a comprehensive setting with a diverse team of professionals. Joy currrently lives in Gallatin, and plans to get married this October.
Lee Patnaik, M.A., CCC-SLP
 "Lee Patnaik, M.A., CCC-SLP")
Speech Language Pathologist
Lee is in her 10th year of practice as a speech language pathologist. She received her undergraduate and Master's degree in speech language pathology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Lee is a native of Knoxville, but has lived in Nashville for the past 10 years. She currently resides in Brentwood with her husband and two children. Lee has worked in a number of areas within the speech language profession, including public school systems, long-term care facilities and various outpatient clinics. In 2002, while working in the Sumner County School System, Lee became passionate about working in pediatrics, specifically with children with ASD. Since that time, she has had the opportunity to focus her career on working with children and their families. Lee implements ABA-based therapy in her sessions using individualized discrete trial as well as evidence-based incidental teaching methods. She believes this model to be the most effective in improving client's commmunication skills, and believes in the vision of The Brown Center. Lee is excited about sharing her experiences with clients and families.
Tina Patterson, M.Ed. BCBA
 "Tina Patterson, M.Ed. BCBA")
Behavior Analyst
Tina Patterson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has 15 years experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism. She is also the parent of two children, one of whom had a mental health disability. Tina earned her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and her Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at Vanderbilt University. She has used her skills as a Behavior Analyst to develop positive behavior support plans for individuals of all ages in private homes, school districts, and residential home programs. Tina also provides behavior technique training to professionals across the state of Tennessee as well as in Northern England.
Joan Popkin, Ph.D., NCSP, LSSP
 "Joan Popkin, Ph.D., NCSP, LSSP")
Family and Child Therapist
Joan Popkin is a Licensed Psychologist, as well as a Certified School Psychologist through the Department of Education in the state of Tennessee. She is also a Nationally Certified School Psychologist through the National Association of School Psychologists, a Health Service Provider through the National Register, and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in the state of Texas. Joan earned her doctoral degree in 2002 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her post-doctoral experiences include working with the Autism team, counseling families and children, and collaborating with school staff and students. She currently works with graduate students in various courses creating and implementing behavior management support plans, functional behavioral assessments, and consultation services for children. Joan specializes in children, adolescents, young adults and families. Her counseling uses a nurturing approach toward the treatment of interpersonal, educational, behavioral, or attention problems focusing on the individual's and/or family's strengths to maximize their full potential. Joan is an advocate for positive mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as overall well-being for all populations ranging from early childhood through seniors and their families. She believes in the integration of diverse services to enhance optimal interventions for children and youth.
what people are saying
"Rather than be inhibited by the lack of available services when their young son was diagnosed with autism, Juli and Gordon designed a structured curriculum incorporating direct instruction and best practices. The resulting changes have been amazing. Ben was transformed from a child who was out of control to an exceptional accelerated learner."
-Mark T. Harvey, BCBA, Ph.D., Dept. of Special Education, Vanderbilt University