Authors
~ Dr. Linda Barboa ~
Dr. Linda Barboa holds degrees in speech-language pathology and audiology, psychology, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, and early childhood education. She has worked as an educator in the United States and Europe. Dr. Barboa has authored numerous books in the field of autism, including Stars in Her Eyes: Navigating the Maze of Childhood Autism, Tic Toc Autism Clock, It’s No Biggie: Autism in the Early Childhood Classroom, The Complete Guide to Becoming an Autism Friendly Professional, and Autism- What Schools are Missing. She has also written several books to help children understand autism. She is the founder of STARS for Autism, a non-profit organization created to develop educational materials about autism. Dr. Barboa developed an award-winning program to promote autism friendly cities and is the recipient of the prestigious JEFFERSON AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
~ Dr. Brenda "B.K." Bradshaw ~
Dr. Brenda "BK" Bradshaw is an award-winning author, former elementary and middle school teacher, special reading teacher, and assistant professor of elementary education. An avid reader and writer, BK has always had a passion for children's literature. In recent years, her daughters have given her the inspiration to create the resilient female characters, Crystal Brave and Super Jewels. BK has appeared on the podcasts, The Autism Show, Talkin Live with Eli, Care Activities with Neil Hogbin. She has made appearances on Ozarks Live! news show in Springfield, Missouri, volunteered with the Horse Tales Literacy project and met with hundreds of children and teachers in school and barn visits. She currently lives in the Kansas City area.
~ Mary Lou Datema ~
Mary Lou Datema began her teaching career at age 16, working in a local child care center after school.....for a dollar an hour. She now holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education (early childhood) and a Master's degree in reading as well as early childhood special education certification. Mary Lou has taught at the preschool, kindergarten and college levels in a variety of settings for 34 years. She is currently an adjunct instructor in early childhood at Ozarks Technical Community College as well as an early childhood special education teacher for Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, MO. She is trained in Project Construct and is a certified CLASS observer. She has served in a variety of advisory capacities at the local and state level. Mary Lou was awarded the Every Kid Counts Award for the Positive Development of Youth and was named Teacher of the Year for the Springfield MO school district in 2003. She has been named a Phi Theta Kappa mentor teacher three times by her community college students. Mary Lou raised three boys on a steady diet of books, and now, in her spare time, she loves being a grandma and sharing her love of reading with her grandchildren, as well as taking the real-life Arlo to the park.
~ Jan Luck ~
Jan Luck holds a degree in speech pathology and audiology. She began her career working for the State of Arkansas serving clients of all ages with special needs. She worked as a speech therapist for the Mountain Home, Arkansas Public Schools, where she served children on the autism spectrum. Mrs. Luck has developed and presented continuing education seminars on the topic of autism for teachers, therapists, and parents. She has been a guest speaker in many university classes. She is a contributing author to the book Stars in her Eyes; Navigating the Maze of Childhood Autism. Mrs. Luck currently resides in Nixa, Missouri.