Meet our Team
Amy Pinder, MA, CCC-SLP/DIR is the owner and founder of Circles of Communication. Amy is a New Jersey State licensed and ASHA certified Integrative Speech-Language Therapist, Children's Yoga Instructor, and Mindfulness Coach certified in the DIR/Floortime model. She has over twenty years of experience working with autistic and neurodivergent clients of all ages using a developmental, holistic, person-centered approach that spans cognitive, linguistic, sensory, motor, social, and emotional domains.
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Rooted in the belief that we need to feel safe, confident, and regulated in order to communicate optimally, Amy regularly incorporates play, yoga, opportunities to explore nature, and mindfulness into her practice to encourage clients to engage, explore, increase capacities, and effectively communicate through meaningful, experienced based activities that improve overall wellbeing. Her goal is to help all clients connect with their innate wisdom, find flow and joy in everyday activities, nurture the mind-body-spirt connection, strengthen self-expression, self-awareness, and self-advocacy skills.
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Amy graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she received her BA in Sociology in addition to New York State Teaching Certification in Elementary and Special Education, and from Kean University where she received her MA in Speech Language Pathology. She has experience assessing and treating children and adults with diverse communication challenges in a variety of educational and clinical settings including home-based intervention, preschool, public school and specialized private school programs.
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She has received extensive training in Natural Language Acquisition, Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI), Prompts for Restructuring Oral Motor Phonetic Targets (PROMPT), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), Viconic Language Methods, and the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM). Amy is well versed in trauma-informed care as well as a Grounded Kids Yoga Instructor, Mindfulness Educator, and a Holistic Circus Therapy Provider.
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Amy is also the co-founder of Inclusion Festival, a music and wellness festival designed to be sensory-friendly and accessible, and the Executive Director for Accessible Festivals, a non-profit dedicated to making music and recreation accessible to all abilities.
Amy resides at The Potato House along with her husband, son, and pets. She enjoys slow mornings at home, cooking, hiking, just BEING in nature, attending live music events, and connecting with local friends, family, and community. ​​
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.
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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 Director of Online Programs for Circles of Communication. She is a special education teacher and registered yoga teacher with experience working in a variety of settings including public schools, private studios, and home-based instruction. She is passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga and recreation with individuals of all ages and abilities.
Leah believes that when you embrace the present moment, connect with an intention, and attend to your breath, you may experience a sense of peace and calm that benefits mind, body, and spirit. She is creative, intuitive and able to easily connect with others by recognizing their individual talents, tuning into their passions and interests, and guiding them to increase their capacities using a warm, accessible person-centered approach. Leah has participated in numerous trainings about autism, mindfulness, essential oils, and yoga across the lifespan.
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Leah is also the co-founder of Inclusion Festival, a music and wellness festival designed to be sensory-friendly and accessible. She enjoys attending local music events, building community, time in nature, and spending time with her twins.
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Michele Mizeski, E-RYT-200+ is a yoga teacher and early childhood educator. She is the Lead Educator for 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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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!
