1. MELISSA M. CASSES
PO Box 15, Heilwood, PA 15745 | 321-446-0015 | M.M.Casses@iup.edu
EDUCATION
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana PA
Doctoral Degree June 2016
Curriculum and Instruction
Department of Professional Studies in Education
Dissertation Title: Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers with
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Providers’ Use of Routines, A Case
Study (Completed June 2016)
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
M.S.
Rehabilitation Counseling 2010
Connections Center, Houston, TX
Relationship Development Intervention Program Consultant 2008
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
B.S.
Psychology 2002
Minor: Theatre
California State University, Long Beach, CA
Undergraduate Coursework Completion 2000-2001
CERTIFICATIONS/ PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Clinically Trained ADOS-2 Administration 2016 – Present
Registered Yoga Teacher 200hr. 2012 – Present
Functional Behavior Analyst Training 2012 – Present
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor 2010 – Present
Level I Reiki Practitioner 2009 – Present
Level II Reiki Practitioner 2009 – Present
Relationship Development Intervention Consultant 2006 – 2012
Florida Teaching Certificate 2003 – 2007
PUBLICATIONS AND PAPERS
Paquette, K., Corbett, F., & Casses, M. (2015). Student evaluation response rates of teacher
performance in higher education online classes. Quarterly Review of Distance Education,
16, 71-82. Retrieved from: EBSCOhost
Casses, M. & Paquette, K. (in press) Standing outside the fire: Remaining objective in early
intervention. Education.

2. MELIS S A M. CAS SES PAGE 2
Casses, M. (2015). Get down with dog: A yoga story. Create Space Publishing.
Penn State Extension (2011) Help Parents and Families be Advocates for Children with
Disabilities. Better Kid Care, On Demand Lesson. State College, PA. Published and
Presented in April 2011: Penn State Extension.
PRESENTATIONS
Casses, M.M. (2015, April). Providers’ perception of family-based services in early intervention:
Infants and toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. Roundtable presentation at the New
England Educational Research Organization (NEERO) Annual Conference, New
Hampshire, MA.
Paquette, K., Corbett, F. & Casses, M. (2015, April). Student evaluations of teaching in higher
education online classes. Roundtable presentation at the New England Educational
Research Organization Annual Conference, New Hampshire, MA.
West Virginia Master Cadre (2011, April). Pyramid Model Home Visitor Model for Challenging
Behaviors. Roundtable Presentation at the National Challenging Behavior: National
Training Institute (NTI) Conference, Clearwater FL.
Casses, M. (2011, May) Center-based Pyramid Model. Workshop presentation at the
Pennsylvania Head Start Provider Conference, Indiana PA.
Casses, M. (2009, September) Relationship development intervention for autism spectrum
disorders. Workshop presented at Saint Francis University Conference for Autism, Loretto,
PA.
Hall, D. & Casses, M. (2009). Becoming a Child’s Champion. Workshop presented at the Better
Kid Care Penn State University Conference, State College, PA.
HIGHER EDUCATION TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
College-Level Teaching Internship 2013
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
Instructional Assistant 2013
Course: Cultures of Curriculum
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
Guest Instructor 2013
Course: Language Development
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
College Level Internship: Research 2014 – 2015
Developed a training curriculum for Early Intervention,
Family-Centered Practices

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OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Teaching
Campus Charter School, Port St. John, Florida
Lead Kindergarten Teacher 2002-2004
West Virginia Birth to Three, Charleston, WV
Research
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA
Graduate Assistant 2013 – 2015
Professional Studies in Education
Consulting/Practice
Online Instructor/Trainer 2016-present
Developed and implemented curriculum for online training program
Family-Centered/Relationship and Routines-Based focus
Pennsylvania State Early Intervention Program
Special Instructor 2011 – Present
Self-contracted as an independent provider of Pennsylvania Early
Intervention specializing in ASD in infants and toddlers
Family Behavioral Resources, Indiana, PA
Behavior Specialist Consultant 2011-2012
Curriculum planning for ASD behavior program
West Virginia Birth to Three, Charleston, WV
Online Instructor/Trainer 2010-2013
Developed and implemented curriculum for online training program
Family-Centered Focus
West Virginia Birth to Three, Charleston, WV
MasterCadre Coach 2010-2012
Selected on merit for Early Intervention Services as a coach to
providers in the state of West Virginia
Star Equestrians, Strongstown, PA
Master’s Level Internship 2010-2012
Developed and collaborated with an equestrian therapy institute to
support parents of children with ASD
Rebuilding Relationships, Melbourne, FL, Charlestown, WV,
and Indiana, PA
Relationship Development Intervention Consultant 2006-2012
Independent consultant for Relationship Development Intervention
for families of children with ASD

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West Virginia Birth to Three, Charleston, WV
Special Instructor 2006-2010
Self-Contracted as an Independent Provider of Early Intervention
Specializing in ASD
Self-Contractor, Melbourne Beach, FL
Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist 2004-2006
Self-Contracted as an Independent Provider for Discrete Trial
Training for children with ASD
Campus Charter School, Port St. John, FL 2002-2004
Service Coordinator
Therapeutic Foster Care
Northwestern Human Services, Indiana, PA 2001-2002
Service Coordinator
Therapeutic Foster Care
Milestones Behavioral Health, Indiana, PA
Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist/Therapeutic Staff Support 2000-2001
Implementing and developing behavioral support programs in
educational and home-based settings
Lovaas Institute Branch, Long Beach, CA
Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist 2000-2002
Self-Contracted as an Independent Provider for Discrete Trial
Training for children with ASD
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Star Equestrians, Strongstown, PA 2010-2012
Volunteer/Board Member
Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program
Supported Parents Project, Indiana, PA 2010-2012
Volunteer: Group Counselor- Curriculum Development
Developed a parent support group for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders
Circles of Care, Indiana, PA 2010-2012
Volunteer: Group Counselor
Assisting families in their socioeconomic empowerment

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
 Autism Webinar Series, Sponsored by Florida State University Online Autism Navigator,
April 21, 2015, credit completion 36 hours.
 Early Intervention Knowledge and Skills, Sponsored by Florida State University Online
Autism Navigator, April 6, 2015
 Procedural Safeguards/Mediation/Confidentiality, Sponsored by Armstrong Indiana
Behavioral and Developmental Health, September 9, 2014.
 Cultural Competency, Sponsored by Armstrong Indiana Behavioral and Developmental
Health, September 9, 2014.
 Fire safety and Evacuation, Sponsored by Armstrong Indiana Behavioral and Developmental
Health, September 9, 2014
 Universal Procedures, Sponsored by Armstrong Indiana Behavioral and Developmental
Health, September 9, 2014
 Mandated Reporting, Sponsored by Armstrong Indiana Behavioral and Developmental
Health, September 9, 2014
Full Professional Development available upon request
RECOGNITION
West Virginia Birth to Three (WVBTT) 2016
Selectedfor State Level Curriculum Development
Relationship and routines-based family-centered Early Intervention
ASD focus
Center for Early Literacy Learning (CELL) 2010-2012
MasterCadre Selection, State of West Virginia Early Intervention
Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI) 2010-2012
MasterCadre Selection, State of West Virginia Early Intervention
Home Visitors
Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI) 2010-2012
MasterCadre Selection, State of West Virginia Early Intervention
Center-Based Programs