About Us!
We are small woman-owned business and a family with an autistic child. Fueled by determination, passion, and grit, our mission is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their abilities. We champion disability rights, celebrate diversity, and prioritize inclusion in everything we do.
“We understand the challenges, because we live it every day.”
Karen Jose Co-Founder, Occupational Therapist
Hello!
My name is Karen Jose, and I’m thrilled to embark on this unique journey with you. Before we get started, allow me to introduce myself and shed light on the various experiences that have influenced my perspective and shaped my approach as an occupational therapist.
With over two decades of experience as a practitioner, I’ve worked extensively in areas such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, dyspraxia (apraxia), stroke, ALS, pediatric physical disabilities, autism, sensory processing, and reflex integration strategies. I am certified in Primitive Reflex Integration and hold a certification as a Music Therapy Provider through Advanced Brain Technologies.
Above all, I am a parent of a 12-year-old son who is non-speaking autistic. Navigating his world has been quite the journey. From understanding his diagnosis to exploring various interventions, it’s been a complex process. Autism is like this multifaceted puzzle, and we’ve had to dive deep into learning about it. We’ve realized there’s no one-size-fits-all solution; it’s all about finding what works best for him. But every step teaches us something new about autism and how to support individuals like my son.
BTG’s Occupational Therapy program specializes in creating sensory-friendly lifestyles as well purposeful motor movement to enhance participation and independence in activities of daily living. Our services are tailored to address and develop the most suitable strategies for our neurodiverse community, one individual at a time!
Sheri Spackman
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Hello — I’m Sheri.
I’m the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Bridging the Gap Autism Consultation & Therapy Services (BTG), where I lead organizational strategy, program coordination, and service implementation.
My work is deeply shaped by lived experience as the parent of a non-speaking autistic son with apraxia. What began as a personal journey became a professional mission grounded in one core principle: presuming competence.
Over the past decade, I have immersed myself in understanding regulation, motor planning, communication access, and the unique challenges faced by individuals who are minimally speaking, unreliably speaking, or non-speaking. I have navigated healthcare systems, educational rights, and service delivery models firsthand, transforming those experiences into structured, participation-centered programs designed to support other families.
I collaborate across interdisciplinary teams to ensure services are aligned, integrated, and focused on meaningful participation. I design and facilitate youth social groups centered on regulation and brain-body integration, while advocating for full voice, dignity, and access for individuals with communication differences.
I am committed to continuous growth and building sustainable programs that increase access, participation, and dignity in everyday life.
Advocates, Special Education Teachers, Reading Specialists
Our advocacy team consists of special education teachers, district behaviorists (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), and members of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA).
