Melissa Kaufman Stein is a special educator and community advocate with expertise in evidence-based practices for children with Autism, ADHD, Emotional and Behavioral Challenges and/or Dyslexia who has over two decades of experience in special education and mental health. She has dedicated her career to helping individuals with ASD and other social-emotional problems access evidence-based services that address their unique strengths and needs. Melissa has educated children and adults across the lifespan, including teaching special education in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

 

Early in her career and following her studies at University of Pennsylvania and University of Maryland School of Social Work, Melissa provided case management and psychoeducational support to individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. Melissa later used her expertise to provide professional development to nationwide directors of local mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disability government agencies and facilitated their advocacy toward behavioral health parity provisions in the Affordable Care Act and the subsequent regulatory process.

 

As part of her commitment to constantly expanding her expertise in special education, Melissa earned an MA in Leadership in Teaching Special Education from Notre Dame Maryland University and became Certified as an Autism Specialist (CAS). Melissa is trained in Orton-Gillingham and other evidence-based academic interventions and is experienced in the administration and interpretation of various educational assessments, including the Woodcock-Johnson IV Test of Academic Achievement and the Brigance Inventory of Early Development-Standards Based.

 

Outside of work, Melissa is a mother to three twice-exceptional children on the spectrum. As the volunteer committee chair on the Montgomery County Council of PTA’s special education committee, Melissa advocates directly to senior MCPS professional leadership and elected officials.