Specializing in
Asperger Syndrome • Autism • ADHD • Learning Difficulties

 

Meet Ellen Mossman-Glazer ~

I have always been drawn to the puzzle of human behavior and tackling what it takes to help very challenging people, no matter what their special circumstances, to move into a brighter life.

As an optimistic beginning teacher in a lockdown treatment center for adolescents, I quickly learned that my blustery students didn’t have much room for the love of learning. A ‘great teacher’ – to them - was someone who simply accepted them entirely, including their traits that invited only rejection. Their academic education was woven into wherever one could find a crevice of interest. But like everyone else these kids wanted to achieve and be praised and I was hooked on the challenge of finding the unique and specific tools that inspired them.

The true spirit of my work became clear when, later as a Behavioral Special Education teacher for treatment programs, I worked on teams with behavioral experts who taught me strategies in the heat of many a challenging moment. We worked with the ‘whole child’ exploring the full picture and specific needs of attention and developmental diagnoses, which were frequently complicated by co-existing social-emotional problems. This work fueled my fascination with the mystery and satisfaction of helping these children to learn. And my big curiousity question grew:

What does it take to make dramatic and lasting change for special needs kids?

Over this time I completed my graduate degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and Education Specialist qualifications.

You can see more about my formal education and professional trainings here.

I explored my big question, working with parents, caregivers and teachers who seemed to be either stuck, or on the fringe of progress with the behaviors of their challenging kids. It became clear that permanent change was tied to everyone being on board with a specific, personalized and realistic plan. I was now drawn to working with 'the village'.

I moved into agency work to design the programs that led to real behavior change. As program director, I developed social skills curricula for youth ‘at-risk’ but the real work of my soul continued to be direct interaction with the kids, exploring how to break through despite serious diagnoses and little hope on their horizons. My team and I piloted a variety of novel methods and practices to engage our tough skeptical teens. And the exhilarating surprise was: it was not that hard. The key was to clue in to who THEY were and what worked for each of them as individuals. You had to have patience and humor and you had to be genuine. I was captivated by the earthy good sense and wise insights that came through the rebelliousness loud and clear.

Since graduating from Coach University in 2002, I have woven it all together in private practice working with adults, children and their families, helping them in the various environments, of job, school, college and day programs, to discover what is possible. To hear some client stories click here.

On a more personal note…..the story of my education is not complete without a mention of my most inspiring educators - my two sons, who I have to thank for being my teachers of many lessons (not always welcome at the time!) about nurturing behavior change. In past challenges, we navigated together the tough territory of divorce for kids and single moms; in the present they lovingly challenge me by drawing me into travel and activities I would never have ventured into on my own.