Beth Roberts-Pacchione
Co-Director
Beth Roberts-Pacchione is co-author and co-director of the Wanna Play Program and co-founder of the Exceptional Needs Foundation. Beth received her Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology at Eastern University and is continuing the process to become a Licensed Counselor in Pennsylvania. After Beth’s daughter was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay and autistic tendencies, she was uncertain about how to best help her. She decided to both receive training in and administer a home-based program called Son-Rise. She also researched, tested, and utilized many different alternative therapies, dietary interventions, and behavioral approaches before creating the Exceptional Needs Foundation in 2001. Beth has also been trained in Floortime, Interactive Metronome and has worked in ABA programs. For the past 10 years at their Pennsylvania location of The Wanna Play Program, Beth facilitates social skill groups and individual sessions for children ages 3 through 17 years. She is now beginning to counsel adults to provide therapeutic support to parents whose children have been diagnosed with special needs.
In 2011 Beth was elected to Parenting Magazine's Mom Congress! Beth looks forward to the work she can do through this opportunity. Find out more about Mom Congress at their website: http://www.parenting.com/blogs/mom-congress
Kelly Peters
Clinical Support Specialist
Kelly Peters was born and raised in Broomall, PA. At a young age Kelly developed an interest in working with children. She baby-sat for families in her community and worked as a camp counselor at the Julian Krinsky Summer Camp. Kelly also worked as a Drama and Music Teacher at the School of Rose Valley's summer program where she realized her desire to pursue a career in helping children. After graduating from Marple Newtown High School in 2001, Kelly attended Temple University. In January of 2006 she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Theater. Kelly has been trained in Interactive Metronome and attended seminars to develop her skills in working with Teen populations to facilitate their transition to post-highschool life. She has continued classes in sign language and has recently resumed her studies at LaSalle University where she is pursuing a degree in Counseling Psychology with the intention of obtaining a License as a Professional Counselor.
Kelly spent a year working at Devereux CARES where she gained experience with ABA techniques. During this time Kelly was also trained in PECS and other forms of facilitated communication. She then worked as a TSS with the Chester County Intermediate Unit. During an internship in the fall of 2005 Kelly was first introduced to the Wanna Play Program. She has been working for nearly 5 years with The Wanna Play Program as a child facilitator and enrollment coordinator. Through her experiences, Kelly strives to continually expand upon her abilities to actively engage children in positive ways.
Michelle Martin
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Educational Support Specialist
Michelle Martin has been working with children for the past six years as an ABA therapist, Therapeutic Staff Support, and a Verbal Behavior therapist. Through these experiences, Michelle has developed her skills in behavior management, socialization skills and reinforcement of academics.
Michelle received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Temple University, and is certified in Special Education and Early Childhood Education. She gained training in Early Intervention services, Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. Michelle has been working for The Wanna Play Program since the Summer of 2009 and works with the children as a child facilitator and is our Educational Support Specialist, tutoring children individually based on their academic and interaction levels.
Paul Jones
Behavior Support Specialist
Paul has been working with The Wanna Play Program since the Spring of 2004, while attending Villanova University. While still an undergrad, Paul began working as Therapeutic Support Staff for children in Wraparound Services, in addition to Wanna Play. Paul graduated from Villanova University in May, 2006 with a B. A. in Psychology. After a year of expanding his professional training, Paul moved to England to complete his Master of Science in Psychology. Currently, Paul is also a Behavioral Specialist Consultant with Devereux.
Paul has had training in various interventions for children with developmental disabilities, emotional disorders and learning disabilities. He has been involved in a number of Son-Rise Programs, DIR/Floortime programs, Auditory Integration Training and ABA and VB programs. While studying in England, Paul worked at a residential school for boys with developmental disabilities, leading to first hand experience of cross-cultural experiences throughout the mental health field.
Nancy Handschuh
Occupational Therapist/Facilitator
Nancy has over 25 years of experience working with typical and special needs children in a variety of capacities. She has a degree in elementary education/early childhood from Shippensburg University and spent many years as a teacher of young children. This experience gave her an understanding of social and emotional childhood development and the importance of play as a foundation for learning and interaction. Nancy continued to increase her knowledge by pursuing a degree as an occupational therapy assistant which gave her a new perspective and experience with children that have been diagnosed with developmental delay, sensory integration disorder and autism. This motivated her to learn and complete training in the areas of the DIR/Floortime model, Interactive Metronome, Sensory Integration and Therapeutic Listening. At the same time she continued to work in a variety of settings to understand and learn interventions and treatments that would benefit all children. Presently Nancy provides a variety of services at Wannaplay. She recently began Lego Clubs and Handwriting Without Tears groups and individual sessions. She facilitates individual and group play sessions based on the DIR/Floortime model and Wannaplay program.