Join Dr. Holmes as she interviews Silvia Verga discussing the importance of the partnership of parents and providers. This podcast will focus on parents who desire for their children to succeed and be the best versions of themselves. Silvia will discuss the importance of preparing parents to effectively communicate with their child’s service provider(s)/educators in order for them to provide the best practices and delivery services for the child. The hope is this podcat will increase parent awareness and leadership potential as an ambassador to both your child’s educational and developmental growth outcomes.

Silvia is the parent of a child with autism, and has worked with a statewide Parent Training and Information Center, with YAI a large non-profit in New York City as a bilingual behavior specialist working with families of children with developmental disabilities, and served as Executive Director of NYC Parents of Children with Autism. She has worked collaboratively with Family to Family Health Centers throughout the country and is an active member of the New York Developmental Disability Planning Council. Silvia is dedicated to supporting increased student and parent advocacy for families across the country and globally. Silvia has presented on various topics related to disability and advocacy as well as facilitated leadership training in New York as well as in Brazil and Italy. She has earned her Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Social Work and Psychology through Nyack College and her Master's degree in Human Services through Liberty University. She is Certified in Leadership, Coaching, Speaking, and Training through the John Maxwell International Certification. She is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and Emerging ASL.

Silvia can be contacted at nycpca@gmail.com