VITA
AMY SUSAN FINKEL
11116 East Ferret Drive
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 927-4466 (Home) – (509)
979-6500 (Cell)
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CURRENT POSITION
President and Chief Executive Officer, Person First Corporation
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ACADEMIC DEGREES
2001 M.Ed. Gonzaga
University, Spokane, WA
Special Education
1996 B.A.
Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA Liberal
Studies
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MASTERS THESIS: Use of choice to identify behavioral function following an inconclusive functional analysis.
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SPECIALIZED TRAINING
1998 - present Specialty adult family
home license - Washington State
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2006-2008
Instructor, Whitworth
University, Spokane, WA
Summer Institute for Professional Development
2000-2008
Adjunct Professor, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Department of Special Education
1998-Present
Behavioral Specialist, children and adults with autism or other developmental disability
in home settings, Spokane, WA. Assess, develop, and teach skills to parents, direct care staff, and clients. Target and
teach specific behaviors with intent to alter behavioral excesses and deficits.
1998-Present
President and Chief Executive Officer, Person First Corporation, Spokane, WA. Develops and manages state licensed specialty adult family homes for individuals with developmental disabilities,
dementia, or mental health needs. Provides autism consulting and technical assistance,
offers functional behavioral assessment and analysis, and conducts workshops for parents and professionals on a wide variety
of issues.
2001-2007
Supervisor, Alternative Special Education Student Teaching. Communicated expectations and supervisory practices to the cooperating teacher, student
teacher, and school principal. Observed the student teacher on a weekly basis and provided feedback while
considering and acting on any concerns or recommendations. Worked closely with all staff to determine overall effectiveness.
1997-2007
Director, Intensive Behavioral Home Therapy Program, Spokane, WA.
Recruited, trained, and scheduled therapists
to provide behavioral therapy to a child with autism utilizing discrete trial teaching methodologies and natural environment
training. Conducted weekly team meetings. Coordinated and maintained therapy consistency
across home and school settings. Wrote IEP goals and objectives. Secured ESY services. Determined
appropriate sequence of drills and programs based on mastery of prerequisite skills, child’s demonstrated abilities,
and data analysis. Implemented curriculum based assessments and positive behavioral supports.
Implemented functional communication training, generalization and maintenance techniques.
1997-2007
Community Liaison, Washington PAVE, Spokane, Washington. Attended IEP meetings, mediation hearings, manifestation determination proceedings, and expulsion or suspension
hearings with parents requesting support. Assisted with future planning. Provided specific information
about rights, procedures, and resources that can assist the individual who is disabled. Honored the confidentiality
of individuals seeking assistance. Established workshops and seminars on topics of interest to members
of the community, and maintained links with local resources to assist families.
1999-2000
Continuing Education Consultant, State of Washington, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Spokane, WA. Provided consultation and technical assistance to adult family home providers
on behalf of residents exhibiting severe aberrant behavior or minimal functional communication. Conducted brief analog or structural functional analysis to determine environmental variables maintaining aberrant behavior, and suggested
appropriate treatments correlated with assessment results. Implemented visual communication systems for
clients with severe language deficits. Wrote summary reports based on therapeutic treatment models for
clients, and follow-up as needed.
1998-2000 Clinician,
Northwest Center for Applied Behavior Analysis, Spokane,
Washington. Conducted analog and structural
functional analysis to identify environmental variables maintaining aberrant behavior. Conducted preference
assessments to identify items to serve as potential reinforcers during treatment implementation. Conducted
reinforcer assessments to evaluate the utility of the items identified during the preference assessment. Utilized
data gathering techniques to identify behavioral relationships, and implemented treatment packages based on results obtained
during functional analysis. Wrote clinical summary reports with recommendations based on therapeutic treatment
models for parents, professionals, and school district personnel. Scheduled follow-up meetings with school
district personnel and parents to ensure proper treatment implementation or to modify treatment for change in behavioral function.
1998-1999
Coordinator, Host Family Project, Education Department, Whitworth College, Spokane, WA. Matched pre-service Whitworth teachers with families impacted by disability.
Helped Whitworth students acquire knowledge about various disabilities, family priorities, and the care and education
of children with disabilities.
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GONZAGA FACULTY & ADMINISTRATIVE LOAD (2001-2008)
Summers 2000-2007 Autism (EDSE 335/535)
3 credits
Spring 03
Mainstreaming (EDSE 545)
3
Fall
02, 06, 07, 08 Psychology
of the Exceptional Child (EDSE 150) 3
Spring 08
Psychology of the Autistic
Child (EDSE 335/535) 3
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WHITWORTH
FACULTY & ADMINISTRATIVE LOAD (2006-2008)
Summer 06, 07 Teaching
the Autistic Child (EDG 511)
1
Fall 08
Exceptional Learners and Inclusion (EDU320/EDU520) 3
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OTHER COLLEGIATE ASSIGNMENTS
2001 - 2002
Member Search Committee – Gonzaga University
2004 - 2008 Member
Special Education Advisory Board – Gonzaga University
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CURRENT PROFESSIONAL
& ACADEMIC ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
Association for Behavior Analysis
Autism Society of America
Autism Society of Washington
PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS & ACTIVITIES
2006-present
Member, Board of Directors, Northwest Autism Center
2007-08 Member, Board of Directors, The
Artisans
2006
Guest Consultant, Tshegofatsong Special School, Pretoria, South Africa.
2006 Guest
Consultant, Unica School, Pretoria, South Africa.
2004-07 Member,
Board of Directors, Lutherhaven Ministries
2002-04
Member, Board of Directors, Autism Society of Washington
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PUBLICATIONS
Finkel, A. S., & Williams, R. L. (2002). A Comparison
of Textual versus Echoic Prompts on
the Acquisition of Intraverbal Behavior in a Six-Year-Old Boy with Autism.
The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 18, 61-70.
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Finkel, A. S., Derby, K. M., Weber, K. P.,
& McLaughlin, T. F. (2003). Use of Choice
to Identify Behavioral Function Following an Inconclusive
Brief Functional Analysis.
Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 5, 112-121.
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Finkel, A. S., Weber, K. P., & Derby, K. M. (2004). Use of Braille
Exchange Communication System to Improve Articulation
and Acquire Mands in a Blind and Developmentally
Disabled Female.
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 16,
321-336.
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PAPERS
& PRESENTATIONS
National & International
Finkel, A.S., (2007, May). Special
considerations, modifications and accommodations for the camper with autism. Presentation;
Camp Lutherhaven annual camp counselors and
staff training, Coeur d’Alene, ID.
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Finkel, A.S., (2006, October). Adults with autism; Issues after age 21. Presentation; Washington
State Senator Lisa Brown, Cheney, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., Weber, K. P., & Derby,
K. M., (2002, May). Use of Braille Exchange Communication System to Improve Articulation and Acquire Mands in a Blind and Developmentally
Disabled
Female. Paper presentation; Annual conference of the Association
for Behavior Analysis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Finkel, A.S., Weber, K.P. & Vocelka, A. (2002, May).
Braille Exchange Communication Systems (BECS) to improve language. In R. Williams (Chair), Increasing
Verbal Repertoires.
Symposium
presentation; 28th annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, Toronto, Canada.
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Finkel, A. S., Weber, K. P., & Derby, K. M., (2001, October). Use of a braille exchange
communication system to improve articulation
and acquire mands with a legally blind
and developmentally disabled
female. Symposium; Northwest Association for Behavior Analysis, Victoria, British
Columbia, Canada.
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Finkel, A. S. & Derby, K.
M., (2001, May). Use of Choice to Identify
Behavioral FunctionFollowing an Inconclusive Functional Analysis. Paper presentation; Annual conference of the Association
for Behavior Analysis, New Orleans, LA.
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Finkel, A. S. & Williams, R., (2001, May). A Comparison of the Effects of Textual versus Echoic Prompts on Intraverbal Responding in a Six-Year-Old Boy with
Autism. Paper Presentation;
Annual convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis, New Orleans, LA.
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Finkel, A. S., Brown,
K. A., Herring, M., & Derby, K. M., (2000, May). Use of Concurrent Choice to Identify Behavioral Function Following an Inconclusive Functional Analysis. Poster
presentation; 26th Annual Convention of Association for Behavior Analysis, Washington DC.
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Herring, M., Finkel, A. S., Derby,
K. M., & Best, G., (2000, May). Use of the Test-Study-Test Technique to Improve Spelling Performance. Poster presentation; 26th Annual Convention of
Association for Behavior Analysis, Washington
DC.
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State & Regional
Finkel,
A.S., (2009, May). Autism – Treatment,
Intervention & Support. Inland Empire Chapter
National Rehabilitation Association and NRCA Education Day, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A.S., (2009, March).
Autism Basics. Workshop presentation; Aging & Long-Term Care of Washington Training
Center, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A.S. & Finck, D., (2008, January). Autism for the lifespan: Strategies for Success.
Workshop presentation; Aging & Long-Term
Care of Washington Training Center, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A.S., (2007, August). Autism: Facts & Trivia. Workshop presentation; Physicians In-Service Training Center, Valley Young People’s
Clinic, Spokane Valley, WA.
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Jones, J.D., Barretto, A., Finkel, A.S., & Williams, R.L., (2007,
August). The Effects of Differential Reinforcement Procedures on Food Selectivity of an Adolescent with Autism. Paper
presentation; Special Education Symposium, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A.S., (2007, May). Caring for the client with challenging behavior. Presentation; Spokane County Caregiver Training Center, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A.S., (2006, September). IEP’s for
the Child with Autism. Presentation; Autism Society of Washington, Spokane Chapter, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel,
A.S. & Sidell, D., (2006, April). Residential Care for Adults with Autism: Effective Strategies. Presentation;
Annual conference of the Washington State Residential Care Council,
Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., (2003,
November). Formulating Effective IEP’s for the Child with Autism: Effective Negotiations and Strategies for Success. Presentation; Annual conference of the Northwest
Association for Behavior Analysis, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., (2003, March). IEP’s for
the Child with Autism: Successful Strategies and Effective Negotiations. Presentation; The Twelfth Annual
Best in the Northwest Conference of the Autism
Society of Washington. Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., (2001, March). Extended School Year and Due Process. Lecture presented for the Northeast Washington Autism Cooperative, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A. S. & Oikawa, K., (2000, June). Punishment
Assessment. Paper presented at Applied Behavior Analysis seminar, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel,
A. S., (2000, October). Competition Between Noncontingent and Contingent Reinforcement Schedules During Response Acquisition. Paper presented at Advanced Classroom Management
seminar, Gonzaga University,
Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., (2000,
October). Skill Acquisition in the Implementation of Functional Analysis Methodology.
Paper presented at Applied Behavior Analysis seminar, Gonzaga University,
Spokane,
WA.
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Finkel, A. S., Derby, K. M., Brown, K., Herring, M., Davey, B., Taitch,
H., Hundhammer, B., Wheaton, L., & Davis, D., (2000, October). Use of Choice to Identify Behavioral Function Following
an Inconclusive Functional Analysis. Paper presentation; Northwest Association for Behavior Analysis, Leavenworth, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., Vocelka, A., & Weber, K., (2000, October).
Use of Braille Exchange Communication
System to Improve Articulation. Paper presentation;
Advanced Classroom
Management
seminar, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A. S. &
Williams, R. L., (2000, October). A Comparison of the Effects of Written Word Prompts versus Auditory Oral Prompts on Question Answering Skills
in a Six- Year-Old Boy
with
Autism. Paper presentation; Northwest Association
for Behavior Analysis, Leavenworth, WA.
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Herring, M., Finkel, A. S., Derby, K. M., & Best, G., (2000, October). Use of the Test- Study-Test Technique to Improve Spelling Performance. Poster presentation; The Northwest Association for
Behavior Analysis, Seattle, WA.
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Finkel, A. S. & Williams, R. L., (1999, December). A Comparison
of the Effects of Written Word Prompts versus
Auditory Oral Prompts on Question Answering Skills in a Six-Year-Old Male
with Autism. Paper presentation; Applied Behavior Analysis seminar, Gonzaga University, Spokane,
WA.
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Finkel, A. S., Brown,
K. A., Herring, M., & Derby, K. M., (1999, October). Use of Concurrent Choice to Identify Behavioral Function Following an Inconclusive Functional Analysis. Poster
presentation;
Northwest Association for Behavior Analysis,
Seattle, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., Brown, K. A., Herring, M., & Derby, K. M., (1999, October). Use of Concurrent Choice to Identify Behavioral Function Following an Inconclusive Functional Analysis. Symposium
conducted
at the Northwest Association for Behavior Analysis,
Seattle, WA.
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Brown, K. A., Finkel, A. S., & Herring, M., (1999, June). Behavioral Assessment of Feeding Problems of Individuals With Severe Disabilities. Paper presented at Applied Behavior Analysis seminar,
Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
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Finkel, A. S., Oikawa, K., Millersmith, T., & Ono, Y., (1999, March). Use of Picture Exchange Communication System to Reduce Aberrant Behavior and Increase Appropriate Mands in a
Seven-Year-Old Boy with
Autism. Paper presentation; Applied Behavior Analysis seminar,
Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
·
Autism Task Force committee member
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Guest speaker at variety of venues, Parent Perspectives
in Special Education
· Host Family Member, Host Family Project
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Adult family home provider panel member
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Case studies contributor, Very Young Children with Special
Needs
· Guest speaker for the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Specialist Certificate Program
· Presenter
for the U.S. Department of Education, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
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Consulting with parents of children with special needs
· Member of
Central Valley School District Special Services Committee
· Guest speaker, Lutherhaven “Champ Camp” counselors and staff
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35th Annual Autism Society of America National Conference
staff
· Contributing Expert Panel Member, KHQ TV Autism Television Program
