Glenda Grbac with Samantha Pate
"Becoming an Effective Advocate for Your Child "   
This presentation will discuss practical strategies to help you confidently advocate for your child in various settings, such as in school, in the community, and in social settings. This training will provide valuable tools, resources, and real-world scenarios to help you become a stronger voice for your child.
Glenda Grbac graduated from UAB in 2015 with a bachelor's in Psychology and found her passion for working with children with ASD and other developmental disorders at Mitchell’s Place. She gained experience as a Registered Behavior Technician, teacher assistant, and lead teacher in the early learning preschool program. She obtained her master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from UAB in 2019 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2024. She currently works as a school consultant and parent advocate. 
Samantha Pate joined Mitchell’s Place in 2006 and currently serves as the Education Director. Samantha received her bachelor’s from Auburn University in Human Development and Family Studies and holds a master’s from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Special Education. She also holds a certificate from Auburn University in Early Intervention.  Sama received her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analysist in 2021, and her license as a Behavior Analyst in the state of Alabama in 2022. Since joining the team, Samantha has held many positions ranging from lead teacher in the Early Learning Program, Teach Me Therapist, assistant teacher, extended day staff and floater, and she moved into the Director of Education position in 2017.



Stephanie Corcoran, PhD, NCSP 
"ASD Assessment Essentials: Recognizing Critical Red and Pink Flags"
Stephanie Corcoran is a nationally certified school psychologist and faculty at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) where she directs the School Psychology & Psychometry program, is an associate scientist with the Civitan International Research Center, and Director of the Interdisciplinary Preparation of Professionals in Special Education (IPPSE) grant.   She maintains an active research program that focuses on psychoeducational assessment, school-based interventions, and professional training issues. Dr. Corcoran has published scholarly articles, book chapters, and a children’s book.  She is the Past-President of the Alabama Association of School Psychologists (AASP) and the current NASP Delegate.


Bama Hager, PhD and Chrissy Schubert
"Adult Services and Programs including Ady’s BIG Army"
We will discuss their path guiding their teen and adult children living with on the autism spectrum. Bama will discuss helpful community activities and Chrissy will discuss her creation of Ady’s BIG Army, a God-centered vocational community for adults with disabilities
Bama Hagger  - Bama Hager, Ph.D. is the parent of an adult son who lives on the autism spectrum. Bama advocates statewide for autism services and supports. Bama is a Clinical Child Psychologist and adjunct professor at 2 universities.
Christy Schubert



Rhonda Dial
"Special Needs and natural health: Knowledge is Powerful"

Rhonda Dial is a Master Herbalist, with over four decades of experience.  Her expertise is showing how specific whole foods (herbs) nourish the body, and are easily assimilated by the body to produce good health.  

Rhonda speaks regularly all over the country on the subject of gaining and maintaining optimal health.  She specializes in identifying the herbs that bring balance to all the systems of the body such as circulatory, respiratory, digestion, elimination and structural.  Her numerous speaking engagements over the past 30 plus years have included Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals, Chiropractors and Nurses. She also speaks at National Conventions, Churches, Garden Clubs, Civic Groups, and Seminars.  The most dramatic success story regarding the use of herbs and the most touching to Rhonda’s heart was the recovery of her own infant son who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and given “no hope” for recovery.  Rhonda is the wife of Phillip Dial and the mother of five children, Rebekah, Ariel, Preston, Dusty and Drew, with eleven grandchildren.  Rhonda Dial's

Radio Show: 99.5 FM

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