At Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting, we are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and individualized care to the individuals and families we serve within a nurturing and collaborative environment.
By staying above the curve and setting the highest standards of care, we support our patients emotionally through this life-long journey through shared learning and the coordination of care.
Dr. Solandy Forte is a licensed clinical social worker and a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst licensed in CT and MA
with over 20 years of experience.
Our licensed clinical social worker specializes in working with children and families. She partners with the behavior analytic team to develop a treatment plan for individual and family therapy with goals that are centered on the needs of the individual child and family. The focus of therapy is to empower the individual or family to identify and evaluate strategies for achieving their personal goals. Our approach is goal-oriented and solution-focused in order to achieve the best outcomes.
Our Masters-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts have extensive experience in working with children with Autism and implementing evidence-based interventions across various settings including public and private schools, home, community, and center-based programs. The expertise they bring to the table translates to providing a robust training program for our 1:1 staff and designing individualized treatment for the children and families we serve.
Our behavior technicians are the skilled staff that provide 1:1 direct care to our clients. These individuals complete a training program that prepares them to obtain their credential as a Registered Behavior Technician. The training program involves the completion of a 40-hour didactic course, on-the-floor training on-site, and a competency assessment to prove that they have the skills necessary to implement effective treatment. We strive to provide all of our staff with training opportunities that will help enrich the learning opportunities afforded to our clients.
Director of Behavioral Services
Sarah Wislocki is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in the state of Connecticut. She joins us with 17 years of experience in the field of ABA, autism, assistive technology, and trauma informed ABA approaches. Sarah was first introduced to the field of applied behavior analysis while studying for her undergraduate degree in child psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU). She graduated into an immediate position as an ABA therapist for an agency serving school districts throughout Connecticut. While gaining experience working with children with autism and with challenging behavior repertoires, Sarah pursued her master’s degree at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) with a focus on Autism and Assistive Technology. Sarah then completed the BCBA coursework at Florida Institute of Technology and subsequently went on to successfully become certified as a BCBA.
Over the past 17 years, Sarah worked her way to from ABA therapist to clinical coordinator and eventually helping to establish cutting edge programs in public schools to students with comorbid diagnosis including complex trauma histories. She has also provided clinical ABA services to individuals through the Department of Developmental disabilities in their homes and communities. These programs have served students in their homes and schools who otherwise may have require a specialized school placement. She has conducted assessments and trainings for to staff and families on ABA principles and the techniques of trauma informed ABA approach. Collaboration with families, teachers, and therapeutic services has formed the backbone of Sarah’s ABA consultative approach. She consults parents and caregivers, school and educational teams, medical providers and therapeutic service providers to bring together a comprehensive treatment to most benefit all learners and families.
Director of Education
Dr. Jeanette Moore is a Connecticut-certified educator and administrator, structured literacy and dyslexia interventionist, researcher, author, and consultant with over 20 years of experience. Her expertise spans elementary education, special education, multilingual learners, and dyslexia research initiatives. At Solstice, Dr. Moore consults and supports the mission to help students with autism and related developmental needs thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
At Solstice, the team aims to implement evidence-based initiatives and progress monitoring systems to track growth, as well as collaborate with therapists and specialists to integrate goals via individualized education plans. Dr. Moore promotes reflective practices, data-driven decision-making, and collaborations amongst professionals, as they are crucial when developing student programming; fostering a love of learning is at the heart of every student and staff interaction.
Dr. Moore is also an active contributor to educational publications and is certified through the Academy of Orton Gillingham.
She is also a proud parent of uniquely wonderful neurodiverse children.
Assistant Director of Education and Math Coordinator
Larry joins us with decades of experience as a seasoned administrator and instructional leader, bringing a deep commitment to academic excellence and a particular strength in mathematics education.
Throughout his distinguished career, Larry has led transformative initiatives in schools across the region, consistently elevating instructional standards and fostering environments where students thrive. His expertise in curriculum development, teacher mentorship, and data-driven instruction makes him an invaluable asset to our team.
As Solstice Academy continues its journey toward becoming an approved special education school, Larry will play a pivotal role in guiding us through the approval process. His leadership will ensure that our academic programming meets the highest standards while remaining responsive to the unique needs of our learners. Larry’s dedication to promoting the education of children is evident in every aspect of his work. He believes deeply in the power of individualized instruction and inclusive learning environments, and he shares our mission to empower students through compassionate, rigorous, and innovative education.
Office Manager
Amanda Sgro joins Solstice Behavioral and Counseling as the Office Manager with over 20 years of experience in healthcare administration, practice management, and team leadership. She has worked across pediatrics, community health, and primary care settings, where she built strong relationships with families and played a supportive role in helping them access the services and resources their children needed to thrive. Amanda’s professional experience includes overseeing daily operations, supervising multi-disciplinary teams, and streamlining workflows to ensure providers can focus on delivering high-quality, compassionate care.
Amanda has extensive experience working with children and adolescents, including those with autism and other developmental needs. She is passionate about creating a welcoming, family-centered environment where patients feel supported and caregivers feel heard. In her role at Solstice, Amanda ensures that clinicians and staff have the resources they need to deliver effective, patient-centered care for children, adolescents, and families.
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys traveling, camping at Connecticut’s state parks, and cheering on her son’s travel baseball team. She also leads a local book club in Shelton and treasures time spent with her two daughters, who are both in college.
Executive Assistant
Coordinator of In-Home Services
Danielle Schwartz is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in Connecticut. She joins Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting (SBHC), with over 7 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Special Education, and Autism. Her experience with the Autism community spans beyond clinical and educational settings as she has a sister on the autism spectrum. After graduating from University of Hartford with a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education, Danielle was introduced to the world of ABA while working in a special education classroom in Fairfield, Connecticut. After working in various roles within special education for three years and expanding her knowledge of field, Danielle decided to pursue her Masters in ABA at Northeastern University. Danielle started working for a company as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and provided services within a center-based, home and school settings. Since becoming a BCBA, Danielle has worked in a center-based setting and is exciting to expand her areas of expertise to school consultation and home programming at SBHC.
Coordinator of School Consultation
Coordinator of Special Education
HR Coordinator
Melissa Steffero serves as our administrative assistant, bringing extensive expertise in HR and more than 8 years of managerial experience to our team. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Liberal Studies from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), with concentrations in English Creative Writing, Psychology, and History. She currently holds her Elementary Teaching certification (013) in the state of Connecticut. Melissa furthered her education at SCSU, earning a master’s degree in Psychology, and recently completed her 6th year degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Bridgeport, earning her 092 certification in the state of Connecticut.
In addition to her position at Solstice Behavioral Health and Consulting, Melissa currently holds a role with the Waterbury Public Schools District. With over 9 years of experience as a classroom teacher, she has recently assumed the role of Reading Facilitator, where she shares her expertise in reading instruction with colleagues. Melissa has co-authored Reading Curriculum for the Waterbury Public Schools District and the State Department of Education. She was a participant in the inaugural Science of Reading Co-Hort I organized by the State Department of Education, demonstrating her dedication to literacy education.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Tannis Neal is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in the state of Connecticut. She joins us with six years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and autism. Her experience with the autistic population spans beyond that of the clinical setting as she has two siblings with ASD.
Tannis was first introduced to the field of ABA during her undergraduate degree program in Psychology at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. She went on to pursue her Masters in ABA at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, Connecticut during which she worked as an in-home ABA Therapist throughout the state of Connecticut and later on worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at Milestones Behavioral Services for three years.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Licensed Behavior Analyst
Isabelle Molteni is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in CT. She joins our team with more than 5 years of ABA experience. Her passion in ABA started in the public schools, serving as a paraprofessional for ESY programs and progressing to take classes in ABA during her undergraduate studies at Salve Regina University. After graduating Salve, she went on to work at an early intervention clinic and obtain her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis at Western Connecticut State University, where she was apart of a research lab and won the Rachel D’Avino Outstanding Student Award at the CTABA conference. She presented her research on the relapse of social fear and avoidance, comparing individuals with autism to neurotypical individuals.
Isabelle is excited to join our school consultation team and enhance collaborative relationships with a multidisciplinary team, as well as build positive relationships with the students she serves. Her primary focus is on trauma-informed practices, as well as teaching communication and coping techniques to reduce challenging behaviors. Isabelle is looking forward to expanding her knowledge in the field, as well as contribute to trauma-informed practices in the school setting.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Beatriz Preter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 15 years of experience focusing her work primarily on improving the lives of children and families. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with her bachelor’s in human services and Fordham University with her master’s in social work. She is passionate about enhancing the connections and interactions that parents have with their children.
Ms. Preter has served her community while working in various roles including having worked at the Child Guidance Center and Norwalk Community Health Center. She is currently a Nurture Specialist at Columbia University. In this capacity, she supports the Connecticut CLC Preschool Family Nurture Intervention (FNI) program where she not only recruits families to participate in intervention but also delivers the intervention within her community. She has worked in-person with families to enhance the connections with the child and mother. In response to the pandemic, Ms. Preter participated in the planning and development of procedures necessary to implement the intervention via videoconference.
She is a bi-lingual interventionist and a Certified English-Spanish translator.
Licensed Professional Counselor
Dina Silberman, MCMHC is Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of CT. Dina fell in love working with individuals with Autism while working as a paraprofessional at a ESY (extended school year) program during one of her summers in college. She graduated from the University of Connecticut majoring in psychology and minoring in human development and family studies. After graduation she spent a year working for Americorps, tutoring 6th grade math at a charter school in Bridgeport. Dina completed her Graduate studies at Fairfield University earning her Masters in clinical mental health counseling. While getting her masters she worked at an early intervention clinic, and for her practicum and internship courses at Fairfield University she worked at a public mental health agency in New Haven. After 3 years at the agency she chose to work at Solstice to further her clinical career and to continue working with individuals with Autism and other mental health disorders.
Dina provides individual and family counseling for children, adolescents and adults. She has been trained to work with the following issues: autism, intellectual disability, trauma, attention deficit disorder, depression, and anxiety. Her therapeutic approach incorporates several major theories of counseling, including Cognitive-Behavioral, Existential, Person-Centered, Gestalt, Motivational Interviewing and psychodynamic therapy. She tailors her focus to the needs of her clients. She seeks to help clients discover their potential as well as learn skills and strategies that will help them achieve their goals, by empowering them and providing them with optimal conditions for personal growth. Additionally, she believes that interdisciplinary collaboration is important and makes an effort to reach out to parents, schools and other providers to support all of the client’s needs.
Licensed Behavior Analyst – CT
Lauren DePetris is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in Connecticut. She joins us with 10 years of experience in the field of ABA, autism, and Organizational Behavior Management. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bryant University, Lauren worked at a residential school providing ABA therapy to teenaged individuals significantly impacted by ASD, specifically focusing on the reduction of significant maladaptive behavior. In 2014 Lauren moved to Nashoba Learning Group (NLG), working in the Adult Program. As Lauren pursued her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis she took on more clinical responsibility in the organization, and ultimately moved into an administrative position. In 2016 Lauren created the Recruiting department at NLG and began focusing on Organizational Behavior Management, specifically staff evaluations and new staff orientation. NLG was formative on shaping Lauren as a clinician, specifically emphasizing the importance of evidence-based treatments and collaboration across disciplines.
Speech and Language Pathologist
A highly trained Speech-Language Pathologist since 2008, specializes in neurodevelopment, motor speech, and feeding disorders, combining extensive clinical expertise, advanced certifications, and a passion for building meaningful connections to help children and families reach their full potential.
Elizabeth is a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist who earned her Master’s degree from New York Medical College in 2006. With a passion for working with children and their families, she has devoted her career to building meaningful connections and helping children reach their full potential.
She has been practicing as a Speech-Language Pathologist since 2008. She began her career in Westchester, working with infants and young children. She has spent most of her career in medical inpatient and outpatient settings, where she advanced her expertise in neurodevelopment, motor speech, and oral motor and feeding disorders.
Elizabeth has contributed to several initiatives, including dysphagia diet transitions, research, and outreach. She is also an accomplished speaker, having lectured at esteemed institutions such as Hunter College, Iona University, and Mercy College, where she shares her knowledge and insights with students and fellow professionals.
Outside of her professional life, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, exploring, and practicing mindfulness. When not in the office, she can often be found horseback riding, on the tennis courts, or at the beach in Rhode Island. She believes that a holistic approach to health and communication goes beyond clinical expertise—it also requires empathy and meaningful connection in everyday life.
Elizabeth takes pride in forming strong relationships with her clients. She designs personalized, dynamic therapeutic programs that adapt to each child’s and family’s unique goals and needs.
Elizabeth holds a range of professional certifications and advanced trainings. She maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competence, as well as licenses from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and New York State in Speech-Language Pathology. She is certified in PROMPT-Level II Bridging, Kaufman Apraxia Training and Dynamic Temporal Cueing. Elizabeth has received specialized training in Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition. She holds advanced and specialty certifications in Neurodevelopmental Treatment and pediatric feeding disorders. She is trained in Tethered Oral Tissues, Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to feeding as well as Feeding a Sensory Motor Approach.
Tara is a licensed occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience working with children in clinical, school-based, and home settings. She has expertise in supporting children with sensory processing challenges, retained primitive reflexes, feeding difficulties, motor planning challenges, and self-regulation needs to promote success and independence in activities of daily living. Tara is highly experienced and comfortable working with children with a wide range of diagnoses, including those who are medically fragile, and she adapts her therapy approaches to ensure safety, accessibility, and meaningful participation across all areas of life.
As a mom of two children, Tara understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of home life, and values partnering with families to create strategies that fit naturally into daily routines. She prefers to utilize a warm, engaging, playful, and supportive approach to therapy, blending creativity with evidence-based practice to help children develop the foundational skills they need to thrive academically, socially, and at home.
Outside of her work in schools, Tara also runs a private pediatric occupational therapy practice, providing in-home and clinic-based services to meet children where they learn and play best.
Lead Registered Behavior Technician – Center- Based
Lead Registered Behavior Technician, Center-Based
Lead Registered Behavior Technician – Center-Based
Lead Registered Behavior Technician, Community Outreach
Registered Behavior Technician
Registered Behavior Technician
Behavior Technician
Behavior Technician
Join our dynamic team of highly trained professionals and lead to making an impact of the lives we serve. Our Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) are mentored by experts in the field of Autism including master and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts to provide high-quality treatment.
We train, coach, and mentor staff to work with children, families, and community providers in an effort to promote behavioral change and emotional well-being.
Sydney Fornal is a Registered Behavior Technician at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting (SBHC). Sydney has her Bachelors degree in Psychology and Associates degree in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire in 2019. Before joining SBHC, Sydney worked in two early intervention clinics as a behavior technician and in an elementary school as a dual special education and general education substitute teacher. She enjoys coordinating daily academic/cognitive, communication, and social activities for the Sunrise Center for Early Learners at SBHC, as well as providing behavioral support and direct instruction to children utilizing the principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to increase each child’s cognitive, functional, pro-social skills and daily living skills.
Amber Davis is a Registered Behavior Technician at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting. Amber has her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in psychology from Central Connecticut State University. She is currently attending graduate school for her Master’s in Foundations of Applied Behavioral Analysis at the University of Cincinnati and anticipates graduating August 2024. After graduation, Amber plans to sit for the BCBA exam to become a Behavior Analyst. Before joining SBHC, Amber worked as Behavior Technician and RBT providing ABA services to children aged 1-10 years old in the clinical setting. The last 4 years, Amber was a Special Education Paraeducator/RBT for the Derby Public School system working with students K-5TH in their behavior and ASD learning centers. She is passionate about creating a positive and compassionate learning environment for her learners to be successful in. Amber also enjoys providing functional communication training (FCT) to provide her learners with life-long skills to get their needs met.
William Andujar-Roman is a Registered Behavior Technician at Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting. He is passionate about creating rich opportunities to encourage learning. He was introduced to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2019 and has since developed a passion for improving the lives of his clients and their families. Currently, he provides ABA services to children between of ages of 18 months and 22 years of age, striving to ensure progress and growth. Previously, William worked as a direct support provider for six years assisting individuals with reaching their maximum potential and independence within a group home setting in Brooklyn, New York. William’s goal is to pursue a career as a behavior analyst. He is also the bookstore/social media manager for the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council.