Bernard Haan is the founder and president of the Astra Foundation. After graduating from Brown University in 1984, Bern began a career in high tech. He went on to lead the engineering team of an internet start-up. In 2000, he established the Astra Foundation. Since that time, Astra has supported a variety of projects and initiatives designed to help children thrive in their home and educational environments. Hundreds of professionals and students have taken Astra’s courses through Lesley University as well as parenting courses offered throughout the greater Boston area. In addition to his work with Astra, Bern is the board chair of Parenting Journey and president of the board of trustees of ICDL. Bern lives in Acton with his wife, Cindy Stack, and their children.

bern@astrafoundation.org

Deborah Bauch, M.S., O.T.R./L. has more than twenty five years experience in pediatrics and sensory integration. As the clinical director of The Astra Foundation she conducts classes and workshops for parents and professionals and has presented at local, regional and national conferences. Ms. Bauch is a Training Leader and Expert DIR® Floortime™ provider for the ICDL (Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning), and serves as  the Director of Curriculum for this organization. Ms. Bauch holds a Certificate in Infant Parent Mental Health and is certified in Sensory Integration. Ms. Bauch consults to schools,  works with children and families and serves as a mentor for professionals. She is the 2008 recipient of the Margaret I. Bauman award for outstanding therapy provider.

Kristin Blais, M.A.T., has worked at the Astra Foundation since its founding in 2001. As a project manager, writer, and administrator, she has helped develop and evaluate Astra’s training courses and programs. Kristin is a certified K-8 teacher and currently teaches middle school math in addition to her work with Astra. Her master’s work centered on the critical nature of emotion in the learning process. She is especially interested in classroom applications of current neuroscience research relating to student affect, attention, creativity, and authentic engagement. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two sons.

kris@astrafoundation.org

Pam Rogers joined Astra Foundation as Office Manager in 2006.  Her primary responsibilities include maintaining the database of students, preparing course materials, registering course participants, and keeping the office stocked and running smoothly. She also administers the Astra web site. In addition to her work at Astra, Pam is the Director of Special Events for AccesSportAmerica, an organization that inspires children and adults with disabilities through high-challenge sports and training. Her prior experience includes overseeing a private business club at the World Trade Center and serving as Conference Manager at Brandeis University.  Pam lives in Acton with her husband Charlie and two sons. 

pam@astrafoundation.org

Sarah Measures, M.Ed, PGCE. Counseling Psychology, ICDL (Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning), Training Leader and Expert DIR® Floortime™ provider. As an instructor at the Astra Foundation, she conducts DIR®-based workshops and courses for professionals and parents and has presented both locally and at regional conferences. Sarah has been specializing in children with autism and regulation issues for twenty years. She consults to school districts, mentors other professionals, and works directly for families with children with special needs.

Karen Levine, Ph.D., is an Instructor in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a practicing Psychologist in Lexington MA. She was the co-founder and co-director of the Autism program at Boston Children's Hospital in the 1990s, and of the Autism Center at Cambridge Health Alliance. With Naomi Chedd, she authored Replays: Using Play to Enhance Emotional and Behavioral Development for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Their second book, Treatment Planning for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Individualized, Problem-Solving Approach is in press (Wiley). She has also authored numerous articles and book chapters. Dr. Levine's focus is on developmental, relationship-based treatments of social, emotional and behavioral challenges of children with special needs including autism. She developed Replays, a play based approach for treating anxiety, phobias and dysregulation in children with autism or other developmental disabilities. She is the recipient of the 2012 Lesley University Autism Hero Award, and the 2010 Federation for Children with Special Needs Founders Award. She is a frequent regional and national presenter.