Gonzalo Laje, MD, MHSc, FAPA | Director
After completing his medical education at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, Dr. Laje moved to the U.S. and worked at the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Columbia University. He completed his training in general psychiatry at New York University/Bellevue Hospital in New York City, and his training in child and adolescent psychiatry through the combined program NIMH/Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He completed a research fellowship at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in psychiatric genetics and became and Associate Clinical Investigator. His research has focused on pharmacogenetics, clinical trials and neuroimaging, as well as, pharmacological interventions to address behavioral and emotional difficulties in genetic disorders. Dr. Laje is author and co-author of peer-reviewed publications in major psychiatric and genetics journals. Dr. Laje earned a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research from Duke University.
Dr. Laje is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and he is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) in General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He has been the recipient of multiple awards including: Washingtonian Magazine - Top Doctors 2012 and 2015, Bench-to-Bedside Award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Fellows Award for Research Excellence, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Outstanding Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Resident; the AACAP Outstanding General Psychiatry Resident; the International Medical Graduate Mentorship Program in Psychiatry by the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training (AADPRT); the American Psychiatric Association - New York District Branch - Resident Research Award; the APA - Janssen Research Scholar on Severe Mental Illness and the NCDEU-NIMH New Investigator Award.
He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Society of Human Genetics and the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics. He is a Board member of the Washington Psychaitric Society (WPS), the Winter Conference on Brain Research (WCBR), the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation, the Scientific Advisory Boards of Madison House Autism Foundation, Parents and Researchers Interested in Smith-Magenis Syndrome (PRISMS) and the Editorial Board of the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development. He is the co-founder of Autism Spectrum Partners and the Maryland Institute for Neuroscience and Development.
Marjorie Robinson, MA, LGPC, NCC | Therapist
Marjorie received her BS degree in business management (psychology concentration) from Rochester Institute of Technology and her MA degree in clinical mental health counseling from Marymount University. She is a national certified counselor (NCC) , has completed Intensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (PESI) ; Gottman couple’s therapy practicum (through Level 3), and is a Gottman Seven Principles Educator. Marjorie is a member of Chi Sigma Iota, a national counseling, academic, and professional honor society. Marjorie was recognized in Bethesda Magazine as a Reader’s Poll Top Vote Getter for 2015 Best Family Therapist.
Marjorie has been an advocate and spokeswoman for autism at both the local and national levels. She assisted in establishing a local chapter for Autism Speaks in Washington, DC. She has co-chaired and directed events with Autism Speaks, and has served on the board of both The Kids Feeling Fit Foundation, and the Pria School which provides services to children with developmental disabilities.
Marjorie Robinson is the co founder of The Counseling Center of Maryland, LLC which provides individual, couples, family, and group mental health counseling using an active and collaborative approach. At The Counseling Center of Maryland (CCM) Marjorie provides individual, couple, family, and group therapy. Marjorie is also the co-founder and a practitioner of Spectrum Partners, where she provides Psychotherapy for individuals and families with Special Needs.
Marjorie also provides family and group counseling for Northstar Academy a day treatment/partial hospitalization program for teens. In addition, she provides consultation to Mindoula, a collaborative care organization.
Jenn Lynn, BA | Advocate
Jenn Lynn has as rich background in serving individuals with developmental differences. She is currently the Executive Director of Upcounty Community Resources which provides enriching, inclusive and innovative programs for all adults with differences. She has been a Special Ed Substitute Para-educator for Montgomery County Public Schools and Ivymount Private School, an Applied Behavioral Technician for Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC) of Maryland, as well as Parent Support and Media Relations for the education advocacy group, Weinfeld Education Group.
Lynn is the Founder of Empowering Autism Caregivers, LLC, a freelance writer and professional flutist. She and her husband are the proud parents of a son on the Autism spectrum. Jenn sits on the Friends of MANSEF board (advisory board for Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities), the Montgomery County DD Advisory Board, Germantown Alliance, works closely with MCPD, ADW/ Special Needs Ministries at her home parish and across the Archdiocese. She presents at conferences with/without her son, college graduate classes and was featured on Unwinding Autism. Her encouraging blog about raising a child with autism, The World According to Jake, is read in 100+ countries and she has published chapters about Autism parenting.
She has a B.A. in Psychology and Communications from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, she has also extensive behavior management training and experience.
Susan M. Abrams, M.A.CCC-SLP | Speech & Language Pathologist
Susan M. Abrams, M.A.CCC-SLP is the founder and director of CCL. She is a pediatric Speech – Language Pathologist with over thirty years experience evaluating and treating children with speech, language and social learning disorders in Montgomery County. She is certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) and licensed by the State of Maryland in speech language pathology. She holds a Masters of Arts in Speech Pathology from Hofstra University and a Masters of Education in Counseling from George Washington University.
She is recognized as one of Maryland’s most respected therapists in the area of social thinking having completed the Social Thinking clinical training program with Michelle Garcia Winner CCC-SLP, in San Jose, California. She has presented at the Social Thinking Providers Conference, most recently in 2013 with Dr Judith Glasser, PhD. on Social Thinking Meets CBT. In addition, she has completed the NDT certificate course and treats children with neurological challenges. She has also trained in the areas of pre-speech and feeding with nationally and internationally known speech language pathologist Suzanne Evans Morris, Ph.D. and provides therapies in these areas.
Susan is the founder of Parent University, which sponsors dynamic speakers in the fields of health, psychology and education for the community. Be Social Kids Workshops is a unique program she developed to provide families with a toolbox for assisting their children to navigate the social world.
She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Maryland Speech-Language-Hearing Association (MSHA), and the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA). She is a recipient of ASHA’s ACE Award for excellence in continuing education, dedicating a commitment to lifelong learning. In addition to her clinical expertise, she has been an adjunct instructor at the Johns Hopkins University.
Christian Garcia, BS | Director of Operations & Education - Fitness for Health
Christian Garcia has been a member of the Fitness for Health team since 2006. In his day-to-day role, he helps lead the team’s work with special needs clients, oversees our educational programs, and creates and implements programs for high performing athletes. When he works with clients he focuses on helping them set achievable goals; showing them how exercises apply to real life; and encouraging them to take time for self-reflection. These fundamentals, he believes, are the keys to helping every child and adult at Fitness for Health make positive transformations.
Christian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education for Grades K-12 from Salisbury University. He was a varsity football starter at both the high school and collegiate levels, and the captain of his varsity high school track and field team. Prior to joining Fitness for Health he was an educator at Morris Knolls High School in New Jersey.
Julie Kobylarek, M.A., M.S., O.T.R./L. | Occupational Therapist
Julie has been a member of the Fitness for Health team since 2008. As an occupational therapist who specializes in working with children with developmental delays and sensory processing needs, Julie is passionate about helping children of all ages and developmental levels maximize their potential in a fun and motivating way. Julie has worked in a number of schools and specialized programs in New York City and the D.C. Metro area, providing services for children with special needs.
Julie is dedicated to continuously expanding her knowledge in the field of occupational therapy. She holds a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Towson University, a Master of Arts degree in Motor Learning and Control from Columbia University (her thesis focused on sensory processing disorder),and a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science from the University of Michigan. She is also certified in levels one and two of the Radiant Child Yoga Program (RCYP 1-2).
Julie has been on the board of directors of Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children (CSAAC), a non-profit organization that provides services for individuals of all ages with autism, and is involved in other local organizations.
Shirley Werth, M.S., O.T.R./L. | Occupational Therapist
Shirley Werth brings over thirty-five years of experience to the Fitness for Health team. She has maintained a private practice since 1995, serving children and families with a variety of challenges that interfere with successful participation in home, school, and community routines. She pursues and enjoys collaboration with families and interdisciplinary teams to maximize the benefits derived from therapeutic strategies and reach meaningful goals that help children and families live and experience life to the fullest.
Shirley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Special Education with an emphasis in infant and early childhood mental health from Johns Hopkins University, and is certified in pediatric neuro-developmental treatment by the Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association. She has worked with all ages, infants through 12th-grade students, in hospitals, public and private schools, early intervention programs, and nontraditional community settings.
A certified group fitness instructor and continuing education credit provider by the American Council for Exercise, Shirley also applies her OT experience to help train and equip certified group fitness instructors and design exercise programs for individuals with special needs. Her work received the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1994.
© 2014 Autism Spectrum Partners.
