Aimee

If you open your dictionary and look up “The Girl Next Door” you will find the words “Aimee Schumacher.” She literally is our next-door neighbor and has been Quinn’s beloved babysitter since he was six months old. Quinn turns to mush in the presence of Aimee’s gentle, sweet nature, and when he is not with her, he will compel you to talk about the next time he gets to see her. Quinn has also fallen in love with Aimee’s entire family and considering the fact that they keep gluten-free snacks on hand for his daily visits, I think they might like him, too!

Amanda

Amanda is currently training to become a certified Son-Rise Child Facilitator at The Option Institute. Over the summer, we were fortunate enough to have our playroom serve as training ground for her and her classmate, Brandi. Always positive, playful and present, Quinn is enchanted by Amanda’s radiance and has even learned to tell time so that he can keep an exact accounting of time between their playdates. Though she has completed the off-site portion of her training, Amanda generously spends her Sunday mornings volunteering in Quinn’s playroom and we learn more from watching her play with Quinn than we ever learned in the fifty billion books we’ve read about how to motivate your special needs child. Amanda is about as lovely an “ambassador to the human race” as they come and we are so grateful for every moment she spends with Quinn.

Amy Beth

Formerly known as “Amy 2,” Amy Beth recently moved back east from Colorado, where she discovered her extraordinary gift for working with special needs kids. Amy Beth has an innate understanding of The Son Rise principles, hopes to become a certified child facilitator, and fills our playroom with hours and hours of delightful laughter! She’s also one smart cookie and is always finding new ways to engage Quinn in a meaningful way. Amy Beth is an essential ingredient in our efforts to recover Quinn we are so fortunate she migrated into our lives.

Iris

We’re lucky that Iris decided to move to New England from The Netherlands. When she steps into our house the whole family just feels better. She trained as a dialogue mentor at The Option Institute, has worked in several other playrooms, and has a vital understanding of The Son Rise philosophies and techniques. Her intuition about all things concerning Quinn is uncanny and without her guidance, we would all feel a bit lost. Iris inspires all of us to want to be better human beings and is the backbone of our team.

Lainey

From her purple and gold sneakers and mismatched polka dot socks up to her ever-changing hair color, “Miss Lainey Jane” always has her “four” on. She lives to play. A bundle of imaginative energy, there is never a dull moment when Lainey is in the playroom, and the fact that she was an intern at Quinn’s preschool last year and knows all of the cool circle-time songs is just a bonus! She’s leaving for college this winter, but promises to come home on weekends to play with her buddy, Quinn!

Susan

Susan is not only a team member, but a family friend and one of Quinn’s honorary Godmothers. A world traveler, Susan keeps Quinn looking stylish in kilts and french berets, and even more importantly, she brings in fresh, creative ideas every time she walks through our door and she truly delights in every moment she spends with Quinn.  Susan is the most “present”, naturally non-judgmental person we know and Quinn lives for time in the playroom with her.

Andy

Andy is Quinn’s Godbrother. He works in the playroom whenever he’s home from college (he’s studying filmmaking at Emerson) and always has a fresh perspective. The quintessential older brother, Quinn looks up to Andy, imitates his every move, and nobody makes Quinn (or us) laugh harder than Andy!

Lynne

Lynne used to live across the street from us and was the first person to tell us about The Son Rise Program. She had noticed Quinn in the neighborhood and, one day, walked directly up to him, got down on his eye level, smiled her huge, infectious smile and gave him his first big dose of the “three e’s” (Energy, Excitement and Enthusiasm)! Quinn lit up like a Christmas tree. A year later we had been wondering what had become of Lynne when, almost out of the blue, she appeared again, still smiling and eager to help recover our boy. She is a blessing to our entire family!

Barbara

Barbara brings wisdom, peace and a wealth of experience to Quinn’s room. As soon as she opens the playroom door Quinn relaxes, falls into her lap and allows himself to be swept away by her stories and her imagination. Barbara has been teaching special needs children most of her life and after hearing about Quinn through a friend, offered to volunteer in our playroom without even meeting us first! Barbara is a great reminder of all of the new and wonderful people Quinn brings into our lives.

Caroline

Caroline is as much family to us as friend. When we started Quinn’s program Caroline was the first to volunteer. There is not a more loving, nurturing soul on the planet and we are forever indebted to her for her constant support, loyal dedication and unparalleled goodness. (The fact that she’s one of the best chefs in the world doesn’t hurt either.)

Ariana

Ariana was raised in a “life sharing” community, so taking care of a special needs kid comes naturally to her. Before moving back east, Ariana studied holistic health education in California and was a one-on-one aide for a non-verbal 8th grader with autism. A deeply compassionate and caring young woman, we are so grateful to have her in our “village.”