Who We Are

A Message From Model Me Kids®

Model Me Kids® is dedicated to producing high quality teaching tools for children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. We strive to make our products affordable so that they are accessible to both families and educators.

Our projects are entirely self-funded. Proceeds from sales are used to produce future Model Me Kids projects. We appreciate your support in this effort.

We are here to answer your questions. Please feel free to call or email us. We always enjoy the personal feedback that we receive from parents, teachers, and children.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Best Wishes,

Susan Klein
Founder & President

Address:

Model Me Kids®, LLC
PO Box 1901
Rockville MD 20849

Susan Klein
Founder & President

Sue founded Model Me Kids® with a mission to produce high quality teaching tools for children with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and Nonverbal Learning Disorder. Prior to founding Model Me Kids, she worked as an ABA Therapist trained by CSAAC (Community Services for Autistic Adults & Children). Sue received a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Resource Development Team

Erica Edelman, Ph.D.
Dr. Edelman received her B.S. from Cornell University, her M.A. from Tufts University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland School of Psychology. She has worked as a staff psychologist at Kennedy Krieger Institute (Johns Hopkins Hospital) with children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Since 1991, Dr. Edelman has worked for the public school systems conducting evaluations, engaging in differential diagnosis, overseeing intervention plans, advocating for children's rights, training psychology interns, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, counseling staff and families. For the past 11 years, she has specialized in working with young children with complex developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorders, sensory difficulties, communication disorders, and learning disorders within an early intervention program setting. In addition, Dr. Edelman maintains a private practice focused on psychoeducational evaluation of young children with special needs.

Beth Garigen, M.Ed., CAS, LMHC
Beth received her B.A. in Psychology at Buffalo State College and her Masters of Education in School Counseling from the University at Buffalo. She is licensed as a Mental Health Counselor. Her background includes work with developmentally disabled children in residential and day program settings. Beth is currently the School Counselor at Warsaw Elementary School in Warsaw, NY and maintains a private practice as a Mental Health Counselor.

Michele Harrington, MS, CCC-SLP
Michele earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from Cortland College. She received a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology from Adelphi University. Michele has been a Speech Language Pathologist for more than ten years. As the Speech Language Pathologist for Sunrise Drive Elementary School in Sayville, NY, she currently works with several students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Kathleen Maggio-Straub, MS
Kathleen received an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development from Suffolk Community College. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Dowling College. For more than twelve years, she has worked with children and adults with Autism in public schools, private agencies, as well as residential settings. Kathleen currently serves as the Internal Autism/Behavioral Consultant for Sayville School District in Sayville, NY. In this role, Kathleen consults with school staff regarding how to implement behavior modification techniques, the development of appropriate IEP goals, how to address sensory and social issues, and the incorporation of visual supports in the classroom. Kathleen conducts in-service training workshops to further support staff working with children with Autism, and developed the District's best practices social skill resource guide book.

Deidre Rabuck, Special Education Teacher
Deidre received her B.A. in Special Education, with a focus on Severe Disabilities, from the University of Maryland. She is currently obtaining her Masters degree in Autism and Severe Disabilities from Johns Hopkins University. Deidre has been working with children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders for fifteen years. She began working with individuals with Autism in home-based discrete trial teaching programs as a Therapist and Team Leader. Deidre began her classroom teaching career in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the Ivymount School, Rockville, MD. She is now a special education teacher at the Kennedy Krieger School, Baltimore, MD, where she has worked with high functioning adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders for the past nine years. She also works as a technician and family trainer for individuals and their families who receive Autism Waiver services.

Rachel Rambach, MM, MT-BC

Music Therapist Rachel Rambach Rachel received her B.A. in Music at Rollins College and her Masters of Music Therapy from Illinois State University. She is a board-certified music therapist, specializing in work with children who have diagnoses on the autism spectrum. Rachel created the music therapy program at the Hope Institute for Children & Families in Springfield, Illinois, where she works full time in addition to maintaining a private practice.

Jason Straub, MS
Jason has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Stony Brook University and a Masters Degree in Special Education and Reading Dowling College. He has been working with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder ranging in age from preschool to adulthood for the last thirteen years. He is currently employed as a Special Education Teacher in the South Country School District on Long Island. He serves a variety of students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Jamell White, LCSW-C, MS
Jamell is a therapist for children, adolescents, and young adults,specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She earned a Master in Social Work (MSW) from the National Catholic School of Social Service and a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. Jamell has been working with individuals with ASD and other disabilities for over 15 years. As a therapist, Jamell provides individual therapy and social skills group therapy for children and adolescents with ASD, and also facilitates parent support groups. She conducts various in-service training workshops to educate professionals on topics related to disabilities.Jamell is currently the director of a Special Needs department at a private non-profit agency in Montgomery County, Maryland and maintains a private practice.