Meet our Team
Amy Pinder, MA, CCC-SLP/DIR, is the Founder and Director of Circles of Communication, an integrative speech-language therapist, certified DIR/Floortime practitioner, children's yoga instructor, and mindfulness educator. With over 25 years of experience supporting autistic and neurodivergent individuals across the lifespan, Amy brings a holistic, developmental, and neurodiversity-affirming approach to communication, learning, and well-being.
At the heart of Amy's work is the belief that connection, safety, and regulation create the foundation for meaningful communication, growth, and self-expression. Her approach honors the whole person, recognizing the interconnectedness of cognitive, linguistic, sensory, motor, social, and emotional development. Through play, movement, mindfulness, nature, and authentic relationships, she creates opportunities for individuals to explore their interests, build confidence, strengthen self-awareness and self-advocacy, and connect more deeply with themselves and others.
Amy holds a Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Kean University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, along with teaching certifications in elementary and special education. Her extensive clinical and educational experience spans early intervention, preschool, public and specialized schools, and community-based settings. She has pursued extensive professional development in communication, sensory-motor development, trauma-informed care, yoga, and mindfulness, integrating these perspectives into a flexible, individualized approach.
Beyond her clinical practice, Amy is the co-founder of Inclusion Festival, a sensory-friendly music and wellness festival, and Executive Director of Accessible Festivals, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music, recreation, and community experiences. Her work reflects a broader commitment to creating inclusive spaces where people of all abilities can connect, participate, and experience the joy of belonging.
Amy lives at The Potato House with her husband, son, and animals. She finds joy in slow mornings, cooking, hiking, live music, meaningful connections, and simply being in nature.
Specialized Training & Certifications
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Speech-Language Pathology: New Jersey Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist; ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
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Developmental & Relationship-Based Approaches: DIR/Floortime Certification; Natural Language Acquisition (NLA)
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Communication & Motor Speech: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC); PROMPT; Viconic Language Methods
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Sensory-Motor & Reflex Integration: Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI)
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Additional Communication Approaches: Rapid Prompting Method (RPM)
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Mindfulness, Movement & Holistic Wellness: Grounded Kids Yoga Instructor; Mindfulness Educator; Reiki Practitioner; Holistic Circus Therapy Provider
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Additional Areas of Professional Development: Trauma-Informed Care; Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices; Sensory Regulation; Holistic and Integrative Approaches to Well-Being
Arden Hawes, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech language therapist and partner at Circles of Communication. With over 7 years of experience assessing and treating individuals across the lifespan in a variety of clinical settings, she has found her niche working with individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental differences. Since joining Circles of Communication in March of 2021, Arden has cultivated a compassionate, client-led therapeutic style that is neurodiversity-affirming and incorporates elements of mindfulness, play, movement, art, animal care, gardening, and ample time outside. She places strong emphasis on the individual needs of each of her clients to address skills that are both functional and bridge unique educational, personal, and professional goals.
Arden is a New Jersey and Pennsylvania licensed and ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologist. She graduated with a BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, then continued her education at La Salle University in Philadelphia where she earned her MS in Speech-Language Pathology. She has received training in neurodiversity-affirming practices, Natural Language Acquisition, Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in clinical practice, and trauma-informed care.
Arden maintains several hobbies including cooking, baking with sourdough, spending time in nature, foraging, and crafting herbal medicine and skincare. She is passionate about eating local, supporting small farms and sustainable agriculture practices, and learning about the intersection of physical health, mental health, and food. She lives with her boyfriend, Jamey, and their adored cat, Fern, in Stockton, New Jersey.
Leah Barron, MAT, RYT-200, is the Founder and Director of The Connection Collective Adult School at Circles of Communication as well as a mentor and coach. With a Master of Arts in Teaching, certification in special education, and over 25 years of experience supporting individuals of all ages and abilities, Leah brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and compassion to her work.
Her diverse background includes seven years of classroom teaching, extensive experience teaching adaptive yoga and mindfulness, and nearly a decade of co-creating sensory-friendly spaces, events, and festivals. Combined with ongoing professional development, community service, and advocacy, these experiences have shaped her thoughtful, holistic approach to designing meaningful and accessible programs.
Rooted in connection, compassion, and respect for individuality, Leah’s person-centered approach celebrates each person’s unique strengths, interests, and aspirations. She integrates mindfulness, movement, recreation, and nervous system regulation to foster confidence, self-awareness, meaningful relationships, self-advocacy, and personal growth. Her thoughtfully curated classes and programs reflect a lifelong commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, empowered, and connected.
Leah is also the co-founder of Inclusion Festival, a sensory-friendly music and wellness festival celebrating accessibility, community, and belonging. Outside of work, she enjoys live music, nature, coaching youth sports, and spending time with her twins.
Michele Mizeski, E-RYT-200+ is a yoga teacher and nature school teacher. She is the Lead Educator and Co-founder of Seed Pod Playschool. Michele aligns with the idea that the best thing we can do for children is to let them play outside in a safe and nurturing setting, knowing that every moment can be an opportunity for growth and learning. After graduating Rowan University with a BA in Theatre in 2011, she spent two summers as a Nature Camp Teacher at the Roving Nature Center in Oldwick, NJ, and six years at the Willow School in Gladstone, NJ, first in Afterschool Enrichment, then Extended Day, and most recently as an Assistant Preschool Teacher. She began working as a Lead Preschool Teacher in 2021 at Painted Oak Nature School, where she received training in the Reggio Emilia approach, and then Apple Hart Farm-to-Forest Preschool, both in Hopewell, NJ.
Upon completing her Yoga Teacher Training in 2014, she taught yoga and aerial yoga in
various studios and festivals. She was fortunate enough to open her own studio, Earth and Sky
Yoga, in Clinton, NJ in 2018, eventually shifting towards private lessons and Thai yoga massage
in 2020, as well as teaching yoga through Circles of Communication. She is also currently
working towards a certification in Forest Therapy. She has attended and volunteered on Yoga
and Meditation Retreats all over the world from Hawaii, Colorado, and California to Nepal, India,
Cambodia, and Thailand!
She spent an adventurous year driving around the country with her husband and dog,
visiting national parks, and camping in the wilderness. She loves spending time with children,
animals, and in nature, especially hiking, rock climbing, and camping. At home, she enjoys
spending time with her toddler, Meadow, her husband, and companion animals- dog, cat, sheep,
and chickens. She also loves playing ukulele, making art, and creative writing. She is
passionate about working with children and inspiring them to find joy in learning, creating, and
developing interest and empathy towards the natural world.
One of Michele's strongest qualities is her ability to be compassionate and
understanding. She strives to model these values, recognizing that children are observing and
absorbing our interactions with others. She is so honored to be part of the Circles of
Communication community and to contribute to its wonderful mission!
Pam Gilligan is an Assistant Educator for Seed Pod Playschool. After graduating from Ramapo
College in Environmental Studies she became the Assistant Naturalist Educator for Pyramid
Mountain Natural Historic Area of the Morris County Parks Commission. She led or assisted
teaching a variety of school, scout and public nature programs to children and adults of all ages.
During this time she also developed her own public programming, including themed family hikes
with story time and a toddler hiking program.
After moving to Colorado briefly in 2019 she rediscovered her love of organic
farming and agriculture education. In 2020 she continued to work at a local organic farm in NJ
as the Microgreen and Greenhouse Manager for Rolling Hills Farm. Currently she resides in
Lambertville, NJ with her husband, son and 2 huskies. In her free time she is an avid crocheter,
loves gardening, crafting, and visiting the library with her son Jude. You can find and support her crafting artistry at Circle Magic Craft.
Angela Elzind, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a speech language therapist who works with clients in community settings and virtually. She graduated with her MS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from East Stroudsburg University and started her educational career at Kean University obtaining a BA in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences and a minor in Psychology.
Angela has worked and volunteered in many settings that promote neurodiversity-affirming practices. She enjoys being a part of a community that promotes self-advocacy and highlights the unique characteristics each individual brings to the table. During Angela’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing field hockey, doing arts and crafts, and going to the gym.
She is excited to continue her journey with Circles of Communication and being a part of a team that embraces the differences of all individuals that are rooted in the principles of neurodiversity acceptance.
Caitlyn Soong, MS, is a Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist who recently graduated James Madison University with a degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Throughout her undergraduate career she was involved in Best Buddies, the National Student Speech Language and Hearing, and the ASL Club. Caitlyn gained hands-on experience working in the Infant and Toddler language lab as well as the Research in Autism and Language Lab. She also completed an internship with Circles of Communication.
As a graduate student, Caitlyn served as a graduate assistant in the Aphasia Lab, where she explored texting habits between individuals with aphasia and their loved ones, with a focus on supporting functional communication.
Caitlyn is passionate about neuro-affirming care and promoting self-advocacy. She is excited to work with neurodiverse clients and continue expanding her knowledge from collaboration with her team and experiences with clients. In Caitlyn's free time she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her puppy!
Max Papperman is the co-owner of Circles of Communication. He wears many hats as property manager, animal caretaker, and advises on business operations. Max is also a geologist who specializes in environmental investigation and remediation at sites throughout New Jersey, a soccer player, and a music enthusiast.
Alma is a female orange tabby cat, which is rare as most orange tabbies (over 80%!) are male. She is sweet, playful, and inquisitive. Alma is very easy going and is able to provide emotional support and companionship to our clients as they work towards their personal goals. She enjoys nibbling on plants, investigating play forts that have been constructed for her, and has even allowed clients to play Jenga on her back!
