Our staff.

Lea Anne Paskvalich

Executive Director  | director@autismcolorado.org

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Lea Anne is originally from Chicago, Illinois and moved to Colorado with her family in 1998. When one of her children was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in 2000, she founded a support group for parents of special needs children. For the next 17 years, she founded and led support groups for parents, and later, adults with Autism. At the same time, Lea Anne became deeply involved in the Boulder Valley School District advising and advocating for children with special needs.

Throughout her lengthy nine-year tenure at the Temple Grandin School in Boulder, she collaborated with dozens of professionals and organizations in Boulder County and across the Front Range to ensure student success. Lea Anne created signature fundraising and community events to advance the school's mission including, "Meeting of the Minds" with Dr. Temple Grandin, TGS Talks, TGS Shuffle 5K and Entrepreneurial Thursdays.  Her volunteer and board involvement with the Autism Society of Boulder County, Autism Society of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado have deepened her understanding of the Autism resources available and the systems in place to help children and adults with Autism in Colorado. 

Bev Weiler, MA, LPCC, NCC

Support Group Facilitator  

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Bev is a mental health counselor who works primarily with children and adolescents, LGBTQ individuals, and people with Autism spectrum disorder. She has worked with at-risk youth in various situations, ranging from daycare and schools to a free theater program for underserved adolescents. She was instrumental in founding two charter schools in the Adams 12 school district and is the parent of a son and daughter, each on the spectrum, as well as a neurotypical daughter. 

Cari Merritt, PhD.

Support Group Facilitator

Cari is a medical and psychological anthropologist who is passionate about supporting people in learning and building meaningful relationships. Her doctoral research at UCLA was based on a humanistic, person-centered approach. While living in Sweden for a year, she examined how young adults with mental health and social challenges created community at a Swedish “folk high school.” As an anthropology instructor, she enjoys seeing students deepen their understandings of society, each other, and themselves. Cari is enthusiastic about joining ASC and contributing to its mission of fostering connection, inclusion and advocacy among individuals in the Autism community.

Beth Wolf, M.S., CCC-SLP

Support Group Facilitator 

Beth is the founder of Gather and Grow Therapy Services. Through her practice, she provides social-communication therapy and employment coaching for people across the spectrum. Beth is also a 200-hr yoga instructor through Kindness Collective and has found deep personal healing through the integration of breath and movement.  

Hanna Griffin, OTR/L

Support Group Facilitator  

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Hanna was born and raised in the St. Louis area and attended the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Health Sciences and Master’s in Occupational Therapy. Hanna has experience working with people of all ages and abilities and is currently working in home health for kids ages 3-21. Along with experience with people on the Autism spectrum, she has also worked with people experiencing chronic homelessness, substance abuse disorders, and mental health disorders. Hanna has a passion for mental health, life skills, social skills, and holistic wellness, which lead to her involvement with ASC as a support group facilitator. She loves meeting new people and is grateful for the opportunity to serve ASC and adults on the Autism spectrum in Colorado!