ABOUT
Welcome to Limitless
Leveraging Diversity for Success in the 21st Century
“Limitless” programs for children, adolescents and young adults with unique abilities strive to support the development of lifespan goals with the understanding that learning never stops. It is our aim to enable individuals to reach their full potential, live happy and fulfilling lives, and be engaged as active citizens in a global society. Our programs prepare them for meeting the challenges and accessing the opportunities of the 21st Century while capitalizing on their individual strengths. We continue to strengthen the foundations of self-regulation, engagement, intentionality and meaningful relationships as we advance and nurture the movement into the higher levels of symbolic, emotional, abstract, critical and reflective thinking.
Our developmental program, based upon the Developmental, Individual difference, relationship-based approach model (DIR), incorporates the systematic integration of relating and communicating, movement, thinking and problem solving, visual spatial processing, executive functioning, and emotional intelligence. A shift toward a strength-based approach to both assessment and intervention facilitates independence and meaningful learning opportunities within a small group setting. Our multidisciplinary, highly qualified, and experienced staff work collaboratively as facilitators providing both individual and group opportunities for discovery and meaningful experiences that promote growth and development into adulthood.
STAFF
Laura Baldwin
Limitless Camp Director
Laura Baldwin is the Director of the Limitless Summer Program and the Paraprofessional Coordinator at Celebrate the Children, a school for children with alternative learning styles in Denville, New Jersey. Since she started practicing with the DIR ® approach in 2003, she has been growing with each program for over 10 years providing services to children with social, emotional, and developmental challenges in both school and private settings. In addition to being a robust floortime player, Laura’s advanced knowledge of DIR ® and countless hours of training in areas such as; child development, visual-spatial capacities, MNRI®, Developmental Assessments, and Crisis Prevention Intervention, has rewarded her with opportunities to work alongside many professionals to train and coach educators, families, first responders, and medical personnel in the DIR ® methodology, Floortime, and positive behavioral management. One of her most recent notable achievements, was joining the Profectum team to assist in demonstrating strategies for parents and professionals through video examples, assisting in the editorial process of the Profectum Parent Toolbox, and assembling the Parent workbook. As a recent graduate from Montclair State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Laura plans to continue her education and pursue her dream of being a Clinical Psychologist to further assist and support children to reach their full potential.
Crystal Farr
Limitless Center Director
Crystal has over 10 years of experience working with students and adults with alternative learning styles using the DIR model. She is currently the Director of the Limitless Center and provides DIR support and training to paraprofessionals and teachers at Celebrate the Children, a developmental school in Denville, NJ. She has received extensive training in the areas of higher order thinking, emotional regulation , and problem solving under the mentorship of Karen McDowell, a faculty member of Profectum. Attending Profectum conferences has expanded her knowledge of developmental disabilities and given her tools to support young adults in their growth and development. Crystal was afforded the opportunity to present at the Profectum New Jersey Educators Conference. Accomplishments include the development of the Limitless Summer Transition Enrichment Program. Most recently she has worked alongside Monica Osgood to create a comprehensive program for teens and adults with developmental disabilities launching in September 2016.
Karen McDowell
Developmental Specialist
Karen McDowell is an educator with over 25 years experience working with the adolescent and young adult population .. She is a faculty member of Profectum and has strived to implement a comprehensive developmental curriculum into both her classroom environment and therapy work. As lead teacher of Celebrate the Children school for 12 years, she has contributed to innovative curriculum and strategies with the unique needs of individuals in mind while promoting opportunities for growth and development in both group and individual settings.. Karen has facilitated a weekly young adult group for several years with intensive focus on social and emotional strengths and challenges. Areas of interest and study include executive functioning, visual spatial processing, emotional regulation , and problem solving and she has provided workshops around the country on these developmental areas. As program coordinator of the young adult program at Celebrate the Children, Karen strives to provide programs that entice thinking, collaborative problem solving, effective communication, ,and positive coping strategies to support success and happiness within the demands of the 21st century.
Monica Osgood
Founder
Monica has worked in homes, therapy centers, and private and public school settings for over 20 years. Some of her experience has included assessment and the development of intervention programs, curriculum and IEP development, and parent and professional training.
In 1998 Monica created the first public school program with the Developmental Individual Relationship-based (DIR model) approach as the core philosophy. She worked closely with Drs. Greenspan and Wieder to further develop the DIR Model in school settings and is currently the Executive Director of the Profectum Foundation, which provides worldwide training and resources to parents and professionals working with individuals with autism and related differences in relating and communicating. Additional accomplishments include many speaking engagements at conferences and participation in television, radio and newspaper interviews across the USA, Wales, Ireland and Amsterdam.
Mady Kaplan, LCSW
School Social Worker
Mady Kaplan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Play Therapist and a Certified Profectum Professional. She is part of the Student & Family Support Services Department at Celebrate the Children (CTC). Mady conducts individual and group therapy for children and adolescents in the school setting and in her private practice. At CTC Mady co- leads parent educational/support groups and coaches parents and children in Floortime.
Fern M. Kopakin, MSW, LCSW, BCD
Psychotherapist
Fern M. Kopakin, MSW, LCSW, BCD holds a Masters degree from the Hunter College School of
Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been awarded the Board Certified Diplomate (BCD) credential of the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work.Ms. Kopakin has practiced psychotherapy with children (ages 3 and older) and adults for the past 19 years, working with individuals, couples, families and groups. She brings her extensive clinical background to the treatment of developmental disabilities, abuse and trauma using a host of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral, play therapy, EMDR and a variety of other cutting-edge approaches. Ms. Kopakin has worked collaboratively with Celebrate The Children on multiple occasions, providing treatment customized to the needs of our students.Sessions are available by appointment and may include evening or Saturday visits.
Lisa Walker Romaine
Supported Typing Consultant
Lisa is a certified teacher with over 30 years experience in the field of special education. She has worked extensively over the past 8 years providing communication training and support for individuals with complex communication needs.
Lisa has completed the Training of Trainers program for Facilitated Communication, at the Institute of Communication and Inclusion ( ici.syr.edu )at Syracuse University. She has also attended and completed training through HALO in Austin, Texas ( halo-soma.org) with Soma Mukhopadhyay, in order to provide the Rapid Prompt Method of education to individuals in this area. Currently, Lisa works full time at Celebrate the Children, in Denville, NJ supporting students, staff and families in having and effectively supporting communication.
Laura Hynes
RDI Specialist
Laura graduated from Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Child and Family Studies in 2001. She continued on to New York University where she obtained a Masters degree in Social Work in 2005 with a specialty in children and families. Laura's post graduate employment was with both they New York City Early Intervention Program and the Committee on Preschool Special Education. In October of 2008, Laura became certified in Relationship Development Intervention, a cognitive, developmental therapy for autism. Laura founded Extraordinary Minds, Inc. in 2007 and currently serves as it's president. She is also a Licensed Social Worker in New York and certified school social worker in both New York and New Jersey Laura has completed the clinical training in administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS). Laura has consulted using an RDI approach at Celebrate the Children School with students, staff and parents since 2013