Consultants

Consultant/Supervisor
Tina-Henrike Kleine, Diplom-Sozialpädagogin

Tina graduated with a diploma as a social pedagogue from the University of Applied Science - Bielefeld in November of 2004. While studying, Tina worked as a sport therapist with children with autism and other developmental delays at the “v. Bodelschwinghsche Institutions Bethel”, Europe’s largest institution for children and adults with disabilities. From August to November 2003, Tina also spent time volunteering at the “Gabriella Centre” in Cape Town, South Africa offering daycare to physically and mentally challenged children including those with autism. After a year of working at an international organization for developmental cooperation supporting projects for children in need all over the world, Tina spent several months working in a home for the mentally challenged supporting persons with autism as a pedagogic therapist from June to December 2006. Tina first contacted Knospe-ABA with the desire to find a better way to help support people with autism spectrum disorder at the start of 2006. Tina was then introduced to and began working as a one-to-one “in-home” tutor for two children supported by Knospe-ABA. Seeing the benefits of ABA/VB, Tina began working herself through the ABA literature and American VB training manuals. With excellent referrals and observations of her work as a tutor, Tina was invited to begin consultant training with Knospe-ABA under the direct supervision of Robert Schramm in January of 2007. This training included direct observation of consultations, studying of several American ABA manuals, a 3-day Verbal Behavior Workshop of Dr. Vincent J. Carbone in Wales in March of 2007 and several knowledge and practice assessments. Because of her intensive studies and excellent understanding of the ABA/VB principals, Tina was prepared to take part in a 4-day advanced Verbal Behavior workshop presented by Holly Kibbe, BCBA and Cherish Twigg, BCBA of Establishing Operations Inc. in London in April of the same year and additionally, in November of 2008, participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP. Officially becoming a Knospe-ABA consultant in August of 2007, Tina is now supporting the education of children with autism in Nordrhein-Westfalen and since spring of 2010 has been supervising several of our other consultants.

Nadine Knospe

Nadine came to the world of Autism as a caregiver. Not as a student of ABA, but as a person who wanted to help children with autism live better lives. She found her first job working for Portia Iverson’s Son, Dov. Portia and her husband founded the Group "Cure Autism Now" (now "Autism Speaks"), which is one of the largest Autism fundraising and research organizations in America. It was through working with Dov that Nadine was first introduced to ABA. She was trained as a home based therapist where she used different methods of ABA, TEACCH, and PECS. Later, Nadine began supporting the education of Garrett, a boy with autism and fraX- syndrome. Garrett was in the early stages of his Lovaas guided ABA program. Although Dr. Lovaas himself did not work directly with Garrett, it was his LIFE institute that oversaw Garrett’s program and trained Nadine. Next to her work as an ABA therapist with Garrett in the home, Nadine worked with him as a one-to-one aid at the kindergarten as well as in his 1st grade elementary chool classroom in Los Angeles. She was trained after the latest Lovaas techniques from 1999-2003 and participated in a PECS workshop, presented by Lori Frost & Andy Bondy. Later in 2003 she added workshop trainings in Verbal Behavior with Dr. James Partington to her already extensive resume. In October 2006 Nadine participated in the workshop # 5 “Teaching Verbal Behavior in a Classroom Setting” of the Dr. Vince Carbone Clinic in New York and in November of the same year, she participated in the international autism congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In April of 2007 Nadine added a four day advanced workshop presented by Holly Kibbe, BCBA and Cherish Twigg, BCBA of Establishing Operations Inc. in London, UK and in May she went to the ABA convention in San Diego, USA, and participated in the workshop "How to Train Caregivers in Functional Behavior Assessment and Treatment Development", presented by Julia T. O'Connor of the Krieger Institute and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, followed by a participation in the autism congress in Santa Fe, Argentina in October of 2007. Additionally, in November of 2008, Nadine participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP. Since January 2004 Nadine lives in Germany and works with families with children with autism throughout Europe as an ABA/VB consultant.

Janina Menze

Janina’s professional training began in 1998 in the field of Occupational Therapy. After the completion of this training, Janina spent 6-months working with children in London, England. Upon returning to Germany, she worked for 2 ½ years with children with sensory and developmental delays for an Occupational Therapy Clinic from 2002 to 2004. In addition to her autism specific training, Janina also has participated in sensory integration trainings as well as trainings designed to help children with ADHD. In 2004/05, Janina chose to spend 6-months volunteering her time in a children’s orphanage in Nicuragua. In 2005, she resumed her work in Occupational Therapy and began working as a one-to-one “in-home” tutor for a child supported by Knospe-ABA. Coming highly recommended, Janina officially joined our team in February of 2006. Since the start of this year, Janina has participated in an intensive consultant training under the direct supervision of Robert Schramm. This training included direct observation of consultations, studying of several American ABA Manuals, and a 3-day Verbal Behavior Workshop at the Carbone Clinic in New York, May 2006. Due to her immediate rapport with children with special needs and families and an instinctive understanding of the principles of behavior, Janina proved herself ready to begin working with families as an independent consultant by the end of August, 2006. In 2007 she added a four day advanced workshop presented by Holly Kibbe, BCBA and Cherish Twigg, BCBA of Establishing Operations Inc. in London, UK and in November of 2008, Janina participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP.

Isabel Huth, Diplom-Psychologin

Isabel began her experiences with children with autism in the summer of 1999 where she garnered hands-on and theoretical experience with the science of ABA from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (C.A.R.D., Inc.) in Los Angeles. Her studies at C.A.R.D. took place under the supervision of Doreen Grenpeeshe Ph D. This led Isabel to the study of Psychology at the University of Frankfurt Main in spring 2000. She then earned her Diploma in October 2005 at the University in Göttingen. Throughout her studies, Isabel kept in close contact to C.A.R.D. and continued improving her theoretical background in behavior analysis. Disheartened by the lack of awareness and underestimation of ABA in Germany, Isabel returned to L.A. in 2005/2006, spending several more months participating in C.A.R.D.’s Case Consultant training. Looking for a chance to deepen her knowledge and experience in Germany, Isabel contacted Knospe-ABA and began a consultant training under the direct supervision of Robert Schramm. Working with over 40 different children with autism during her training and studying expert literature and training manuals from the USA, Isabel became well versed in the Verbal Behavior Approach to ABA. She even had the chance to participate in an intensive Verbal Behavior Workshop lead by Dr. Vincent Carbone, BCBA in Bremerton, USA, in October 2006. This was followed in April of 2007 by participation in a four day advanced workshop presented by Holly KibbeBCBA and Cherish Twigg, BCBA of Establishing Operations Inc. in London, UK and in November of 2008, Isabel participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP. Officially becoming a Knospe-ABA consultant in the spring of 2007, Isabel is now supporting the education of children with autism in middle and southern Germany.

Katja Volkmer

Katja earned her degree from the "Fachakademie für Sozialpädagogik" in Bamberg in 2004. As a certified Kindergarten teacher, she gained several experiences working with children with and without special needs. Katja's introduction to the world of autism intervention began in August of 2004 when she spent time in the U.S. as an au pair for a family with a young girl with the autism diagnosis. To better support the family, Katja began working herself through much of the available ABA literature and American VB training manuals. She immediately became a valuable therapist for the family working under the supervision of Michelle Hurst from Autism Outreach Inc. In addition to this training, Katja attended a three day Verbal Behavior workshop presented by Dr. Vincent Carbone in New York during October of 2005. After returning to Germany in 2006 Katja began working at an integrative kindergarten for a year while also working on the weekends as a tutor for a child supported by Knospe-ABA. In August of 2007, Katja paid her own way to Savannah, Georgia to participate in the "Teaching Verbal Behavior - Hands on Training for Tutors and Therapists" workshop presented by Jenn Godwin, BCBA and Tamara Kasper, BCBA. Katja's dedicated work as a therapist and obvious desire to learn all she could about autism and ABA/VB quickly caught the attention of the staff at Knospe-ABA who invited Katja to begin consultant training in September of 2007. Katja completed the intensive training under the supervision of Robert Schramm and began working as a Knospe-ABA consultant in the spring of 2008. Additionally, in November of 2008, Katja participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP. In October of 2009, Katja attended the advanced workshop #3 "Guiding the Development and Implemantation of an Intensive Behavioral Program for Teaching Language and Basic Learner Skills" at the Carbone Clinic in New York. Katja is currently supporting the education of children in southern Germany and Austria.

Anna Kinnunen, Diplom-Sozialpädagogin

Anna started working with children with sensory and developmental delays during her voluntary year of social service at the Protestant Health Resort for Mother and Child, Spiekeroog, Germany, in 2001/2002. During this time, Anna participated in several trainings designed to help children with ADHD. In 2002 Anna began her studies to be a social pedagogue and graduated with a diploma from the University Rauhes Haus - Hamburg in September of 2006. While studying, Anna worked with adults with special needs at the ‘Projekt NOX’. After her studies, Anna lived in Jyväskylä, Finland, working with children with special needs and their families at the “Jyväskylän katulähetys ry”, (integration institution in Finland). Through her acquaintance with Tina-Henrike Kleine (Knospe-ABA Consultant) Anna was introduced to the work of Knospe-ABA and ABA/VB. Enthusiastic about the principles of behavior and the opportunity to help teach parents of children with autism how to give their children the best opportunity at a happy and successful life, she traveled from Finland to meet with Knospe-ABA in August of 2007. Anna moved back to Germany in September of 2007 to start her training as an ABA/VB consultant supervised by Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA. This training included intensive daily practice, direct observation, and participation in consultations while also studying several important American ABA/VB Manuals. Further the training included her participation in workshops given by Robert Schramm in Hannover, 2007 and Zurich, 2008 and a 3-day Verbal Behavior workshop presented by Dr. Vincent J. Carbone in the United Kingdom, March of 2008. Additionally, Anna volunteered as an "in-home" tutor for a child supported by Knospe-ABA throughout her training process. Because of Anna's intensive studies, her excellent understanding of the ABA/VB principles, and her experience working with many children with autism and adults with varied other special needs, she has proven ready to support Knospe-ABA families as an ABA/VB consultant starting in Spring of 2008. Additionally, in November of 2008, Anna participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP. Anna is currently living in Hamburg and supporting the educaiton of children in Northern Germany and surrounding countries.

Tanja Haas, Diplom-Psychologin

Tanja began to focus on the field of autism intervention and education while studying psychology at Justus-Liebig University Giessen in 2003. She received direct hands-on experience with children of several diagnoses while interning at Johann-Peter-Schäfer Schule and in a psychiatric clinic for children and adolescents in Viersen. Her first experiences in ABA came in the summer of 2004 when Tanja began training and working as a co-therapist for a boy with autism in Bad Nauheim, Germany. This training was based on the Lovaas method of ABA Therapy. In addition to in-home intervention, Tanja also spent time as a one-to-one school aid for this child. In the summer of 2006, Tanja went to the U.S. to continue her studies in Psychology. During that trip, she spent much of her free time reading about Autism and participating in some research on the topic. Upon returning to Germany, Tanja returned to her Lovaas style training and therapy while also taking work as a tutor for a child who was supported in a Verbal Behavior ABA program run by Knospe-ABA. When not in class, Tanja met and explained some of the basics of ABA to several families of children with autism visiting from Sudan, Egypt, and Dubai. She also accompanied children with autism and their families on vacations organized by the Autismus Rhine-Main e.V., regional chapter. Tanja began her Knospe-ABA consultant training under the supervision of Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA in November of 2008 where she participated in ABA/VB workshops and worked intensively with dozens of children. In November of 2008, Tanja participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP. In October of 2009, Tanja attended the advanced ABA/VB workshop # 4 “Teaching Verbal Behavior - Hands-On Training for Teachers and Therapists”, presented by Emily Sweeney-Kerwin, BCBA and Margaret M. Hagerty, BCABA, from the Carbone Clinic in New York. Since spring of 2009, Tanja is supporting the education of children with autism and related disorders in Germany and surrounding countries.

Juliane Heinrich, Diplom-Sozialpädagogin/Diplom-sozialarbeiterin

Juliane started working with children with various physical and mental disabilities at the institution “Burgdorfschule”, a school that specializes in the education of special needs children with the main focus in "Mental development" in Fürstenwalde, Germany, from 2001 to 2002. During this time, Juliane served as a teaching assistant for children aged 9 -12 and received training in working with children with special needs, including children with autism. In 2003 Juliane began her studies to be a social pedagogue at the University of Applied Sciences in Jena. During this time from 2005 to 2006, Juliane completed an Intership at the Institution “BSZ-Stiftung” for people with special needs in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. Wanting an international view of social work, Juliane finished one semester of her studies at the University of Missouri - Saint Louis in 2007. Once back from the US, Juliane turned her focus solely to the education of children with autism. Her research in that area led her to the work of Knospe-ABA and ABA/VB. Juliane then began her consultant training with Knospe-ABA supervised by Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA in August of 2008. This training included direct observation of consultations, intensive daily practice and also studying several important American ABA/VB manuals and textbooks. In November of 2008, Juliane participated in a one-day PROMPT, Speech and language workshop in which she learned the basic prompts and tactics from Elizabeth Kuegeler, SLP. In October of 2009, Juliane attended the advanced ABA/VB workshop # 4 “Teaching Verbal Behavior - Hands-On Training for Teachers and Therapists”, presented by Emily Sweeney-Kerwin, BCBA and Margaret M. Hagerty, BCABA, from the Carbone Clinic in New York. Juliane is supporting the education of children with autism and related disorders in Germany and surrounding countries since spring of 2009.

Nina Müller

Even before beginning her schooling, Nina spent 6 years as a youth leader supporting children and teens with their free-time and social interaction skills. In August of 2007 she completed the training as Kindergarten teacher at the academy for Socialwork in Schweinfurt. During this training she gained many experiences and skills working with children and teenagers with different ages with and without disabilities. While training, Nina worked for a year and a half in an institution for girls and young women with emotional disorders and a background of abuse. In her last practical year of Education Nina worked in an Institution with children and teenagers with a rudimentary behaviour analytical curriculum. Nina then went to the US to work with two children with differing levels of Autism in a long running ABA/VB program. During her year in the States she attended the Carbone Workshop #1 “Introduction to Verbal Behavior” while also seeing workshops from other ABA and VB professionals such as Dr. James Partington who helped develop the ABLLS assessment. Nina then spent almost 4 months in India teaching children in a rural school in Rajasthan. Immediately upon her return to Germany in March of 2009, Nina began her training as an ABA/VB consultant with the Institute Knospe-ABA. In the context of her training Nina read different ABA and Verbal Behavior technical literature and training manuals and was directly supervised by Robert Schramm as she worked and learned from at least 10 different Knospe-ABA consultants working with dozens of different children. In concluding her training, Nina returned to the States to take part in the advanced ABA/VB workshop # 4 “Teaching Verbal Behavior - Hands-On Training for Teachers and Therapists”, presented by Emily Sweeney-Kerwin, BCBA and Margaret M. Hagerty, BCABA, from the Carbone Clinic in New York in October 2009. Since November of 2009 Nina has been working with families in Southern Germany and Switzerland for Knospe-ABA.

Manuela Bouwers, Diplom-Sozialarbeiterin

Manuela graduated from the University of Applied Sciences Dortmund in February of 2005 with a degree in Social Work. That month she moved to London, UK where she worked as a Qualified Social Worker for Social Services´ Child Protection Department. In July 2006, she changed departments moving to the “Children with Disabilities Team.” Here the majority of her cases were families with children with autistic spectrum disorder. This led Manuela to a strong interest in the diagnosis of Autism and its best intervention practices. In September 2007 she moved to Zaragoza, Spain where she spent a year taking part in an Autism Project at the University of Zaragoza. During this project, she worked with a child with the dual diagnosis Down Syndrome and Autism and with an adult with Asperger Syndrome. Apart from this, she volunteered at the organizations “Aspergers Aragón” and “Autismo Aragón.” Through lectures, books, and research on the Internet she learned about ABA and VB and ordered Robert Schramm´s “Educate Toward Recovery: Turning the Tables on Autism.” Fascinated by the principles and methods described in ETR, she contacted ABA España in Madrid. From October 2008 till June 2009, she participated in their postgraduate ABA-Program that prepares students to meet the requirements for taking the BACB-exams. Within this program she did five months of practical training at the learning centre “Al-Mudaris” in Cordoba, Spain, where teaching is based on ABA principles. Here she worked with children with different types of learning and behavior difficulties, most of them were children with a diagnosis of autism. In July 2009, Manuela returned to Germany to begin an intense training period with Knospe-ABA under the supervision of Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA. During this time she had the chance to attend Dr. Vincent Carbone´s three-day workshop “Introduction to Verbal Behavior” in Zürich, Switzerland. In February 2010, Manuela officially started to work as an ABA/VB Consultant for Knospe-ABA. She now supports children and their families in Nordrhein-Westfalen and prepares herself for the exam to obtain her BCABA (Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst) certification.

Sandra Köhn, Diplom-Pädagogin

In 2004, Sandra gained her first experience with ABA working for a year in the USA as an Au Pair for a family with a young boy with the autism diagnosis. To better support the family she received training in applying the principles of ABA by therapists from NECC (New England Center for Children). This training was based on the Lovaas method of ABA therapy. After returning from the USA in 2005 Sandra began to study educational science and earned her diploma in October of 2009 from Bielefeld University. Also in 2005 Sandra began working as an in-home tutor for a child with Autism whose program was being guided by the institute Knospe-ABA. In the summer of 2006 Sandra returned to the USA and completed an internship at “Advances Learning Center” in Boston, MA. This institution offers ABA consultation, parent training and Social Skills Groups. Upon returning to Germany, Sandra began adding hours with other children on the autism spectrum. Between 2005 and 2009 she became an invaluable team member to four different families whose children were supported by the institute Knospe-ABA. In February and April of 2008 Sandra participated in the Knospe-ABA workshops "Be your child's best teacher” and “Advanced teaching methods for parents and professionals”, presented by Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA. From April to October 2009 Sandra wrote her diploma thesis about ABA and Verbal Behavior. During that time she studied different ABA and Verbal Behavior technical literature and training manuals. Sandra then began her consultant trainee with the institute Knospe-ABA in November of 2009. This training included intensive daily practice, direct observation, and participation in consultations while also studying the detailed application of the Verbal Behavior approach to ABA. Sandra excelled in her training and became a consultant working with children with Autism in the area of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, in May of 2010.