Autism Consulting

Achieve Consulting: Autism Consultation and Training Services

We offer consultation services ranging from individual student programming to full program development.  This service is available to schools and agencies.

All services can be customized to meet the needs of the student and teacher(s).  During consultation, we work in conjunction with teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, and administrative team members to provide the best supports to address the complexities of the school and classroom environment for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other special needs.

Click here to download an Achieve Consulting information brochure.

Consultation for Specific Areas of Assistance

We can help you meet the specific needs of an individual student in the following ways:

• Classroom observation
• Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
• Development of Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
• Recommendations regarding environmental and curriculum modifications
• Development of social skills curriculum and strategies

Ongoing Program Development and Consultation

This service is focused on assisting in the design and implementation of a blended-method comprehensive classroom program for preschool through high school level students with ASD.  This model incorporates evidence-based methods such as:

• Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication-related handicapped Children (TEACCH)
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
• Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)
• Developmental Individual-difference, Relationship-based model (DIR-Floortime)
• Development and implementation of Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) for students with Autism, cognitive disabilities, emotional disabilities, or multiple handicapping conditions.

Educational Trainings/Workshops

Topics address behavioral issues, sensory challenges, social difficulties and strategies to implement within school settings.

Achieve Consulting offers the following training opportunities yearly at the Achievement Centers' Breen Family Center in Highland Hills, Ohio.  These trainings can also be provided offsite upon request:

• Planning a Comprehensive Blended-Method Classroom Program for students with Autism (5 days)
• Hands-On Positive Behavior Support:  Current evidence-based practice for managing the behavior of students with special needs (2 days)
• Working with Students with High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's in a School Setting (2 days)
• Paraprofessional Training Series:  Working with Students with Autism (3 days)
• Successfully including Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the General Education Setting (1 day)
• Behavioral Data Collection and Interpretation (1 day)
• Constructing & Differentiating Work Task Activities for Students with ASD (1 day)

Our Team

Consultants with Achieve Consulting hold master's degrees in Education/Special Education and have experience teaching in the public school system and providing consultation in special educational programs for children with autism and multiple disabilities.  Each consultant has extensive experience training at the local and state level.

Mary Beth Koss, Director of Achieve Consulting

Mary Beth brings over 30 years of teaching and administrative experience in both public and private early education programs as well as at the university level as an adjunct professor.  Mary Beth was previously the Director of the Education Department at the Achievement Centers for Children for 10 years. She developed and managed both the Autism Early Intervention Home-Based Program, and the Autism Preschool and K-4 program that uses a comprehensive blended-method approach.  Mary Beth was a member of the initial Autism State Task Force, Autism Leadership Council of Cuyahoga County, and the Co-chair of the Autism Ad Hoc Committee for Help Me Grow, Cuyahoga County. Mary Beth received her B.S. in Child Development and Family Life from Eastern Michigan University, her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and her Post-graduate work in Teacher Leadership/Curriculum Studies from Kent State University.

Kristin Vigar, Educational Consultant

Kristin Vigar, M.Ed. is an Educational Consultant with Achieve Consulting.  Kristin is an experienced Intervention Specialist that has worked in the public school system for nine years.  During this time, Kristin served chidlren at the elementary level with multiple disabilities that included, but were not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Objective Defiance Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Down syndrome, Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.  Kristin implemented and managed a classroom designed to effectively address the educational, emotional, social and behavorial needs of students and families using multiple research based methodologies.  Kristin collaborated with many Interdisciplinary Teams to develop each student's educational plan and implement them successfully.  Kristin also served as a member of the Intervention Assistance Team (IAT), Response to Intervention team (RTI) and as a Teacher-Mentor during her tenure.

Kristin has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ohio University.  Her major was Multi-handicapped Education K-12 with a concentration in Child and Family Studies.  Kristin received a Master of Science in Education from The University of Akron in Special Education.

Karen Irwin, Educational Consultant - Autism Consultant/PBIS Coach

Karen has 6 years of elementary school classroom teaching experience working with students with special needs as well as experience at the college level as an adjunct professor.  She has taught children at the elementary school level who were diagnosed with Developmental Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, Severe Emotional Disorders, Cognitive Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.  In 2006, Karen launched the Autistic Support Program at Richland Elementary School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, and spent three years teaching children with intensive behavioral and communication related needs.  Karen worked as a Behavior Specialist Consultant in Pennsylvania for 7 years, providing services to children and families within home, school and community settings. Karen also has experience as a Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Coach for local school districts.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Wittenberg University in English/Secondary Education and her Master's degree in Special Education at the University of South Florida.

Kalee N. Miller-Jones, PBIS Coordinator/Educational Consultant

Kalee N. Miller-Jones, M.Ed., is the Coordinator of PBIS Services and an Educational Consultant with Achieve Consulting.  Kalee is also a nationally certified SWIS Facilitator.  Kalee obtained her bachelor's degree from Kent State University with a concentration in Secondary Ed English.  In 2000, Kalee completed her Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Intervention Specialist teaching license (Moderate to Intensive).  In 2008, Kalee finished her postgraduate coursework in Education Administration.  Kalee has over 12 years of classroom experience as an Intervention Specialist working with middle and high school aged students.  Kalee has provided educational services for students diagnosed with a variety of disabilities such as Severe Emotional Disorders, Cognitive Disabilities, Autism, Schozophrenia, Down syndrome, Mental Retardation, Fragile X syndrome, and Bi-Polar Disorder.  Kalee also served as a district mentor and a lead teacher.  In the last 4 years, Kalee has trained teachers, administrators, school psychologists, school counselors, paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers, office staff and parents in the implementaiton of positive behavioral supports from over 20 different school districts in Ohio.

For more information about Achieve Consulting's Autism Consulting Services, please contact Mary Beth Koss, Director of Achieve Consulting, at (216) 292-9700 ext 243 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it