Meet Leyla Ostin

As an education specialist, Leyla creates and implements customized education strategies that allow children to reach their full learning potential. Through this process, she is able to successfully transfer academic and behavior management skills into the home setting.  She has specific expertise in helping to teach literacy skills and mathematics, so students are able to meet grade-level academic requirements and Common Core State Standards. Leyla has taken interest in incorporating stress management strategies into her day to day activities.

She was the lead instructor and supervised paraprofessional support staff in a Special Day Class (SDC) at Vista Del Mar Family and Child Services. While she was there she conducted group instruction with children with autism, ADHD, auditory processing disorder, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), visual processing disorder and childhood apraxia of speech. She has extensive knowledge and experience advocating for families throughout the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process as well as creating curriculum modifications for students when needed.

Leyla has an autism certificate and works closely with children with behavioral challenges as well as alternative special needs curriculums such as "Unique Learning Systems". She currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Child Development from Pitzer College and a Master of Arts in Education from Claremont Graduate University. She is currently credentialed to teach special needs students in the state of California.

Additionally, she has worked alongside speech-language pathologists to utilize assistive technology such as Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and speech-generating apps including "GoTalk" and "Proloquo2Go" to teach foundational communication and social skills.

Meet Sarah Cacciato

Sarah is a Chicago native who graduated from Illinois State University where she received a B.S. in Special Education and Learning and Behavior Specialist certification.  Sarah immediately began working as a K-2 Special Education Teacher in a Severe/Profound Autism Program. Her love and passion in the classroom extended outside of the school day where she began coaching Special Olympics and doing homebound tutoring.  During her years in the program, Sarah took an interest in assistive technology and promoting functional communication for children who are non verbal through PECS and speech generated apps such as “Proloquo2Go” and “TouchChat”. She worked closely with speech-language pathologists and assistive technology specialists to best incorporate communication into her lessons throughout the day.

After two years, Sarah moved across the country to assist in developing a special education program in East Los Angeles. She received her moderate/severe credential in California and began working with students with autism, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, OHI, SLD and emotional/behavioral needs. Sarah transformed a self contained classroom to a learning center model and became a strong advocate for inclusion. She worked closely with her colleagues, led out professional development for her staff, and provided 1:1 coaching for teachers when needed. Sarah conducted observations for FBA’s, created behavior plans, modified student work and taught students using alternative curriculums and Common Core Standards.

Sarah’s journey led her back to a Life Skills classroom where she encompasses academic, functional, daily living and interpersonal skills into the curriculum. She generalizes lessons learned in the classroom by leading out Community Based Field Trips and providing authentic opportunities for students.  Sarah continues to advocate on her students behalf by serving on the inclusion team, facilitating peer buddy opportunities and working closely with families outside of the classroom.