Tricia Longaker

My journey in the world of special needs education began at a young age. Growing up, my mother ran an in-home daycare, where I had the privilege of nurturing and defending a girl with developmental disabilities against exclusion and bullying. This experience ignited a passion within me that only grew stronger over the years.

At fifteen, during my high school community service hours, I encountered my first child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Spending countless hours with him at C.A.R. in Palo Alto, I delved into research, implementing techniques like eye contact and sign language from Lovaas's article, transforming not only his life but mine as well. This early encounter set the stage for my future endeavors.

Throughout college, I immersed myself in the field, working at Devereux and later at New Direction, where I facilitated vacations for developmentally disabled adults. These experiences fueled my desire to pursue further education, leading me to UCSB to study under Dr. Robert and Lynn Koegel.

After a decade at Devereux, I embarked on a new chapter in Sonoma County, where I completed my master's degree and joined the Behavioral Counseling and Research Center (BCRC). Here, I championed inclusion, despite initial challenges with discrimination. My belief in the power of diversity and inclusion only strengthened as I witnessed firsthand the profound impact it had on children, their peers, and educators alike.

Following sixteen years of dedicated service, I transitioned to Sonoma SELPA, where I spearheaded a pilot project showcasing the benefits of behavioral interventions for students with special needs. Encouraged by my mentor, Greg Engler, I took a leap of faith and founded Inspire in 2013.

At Inspire, our mission is simple: to inspire success in every child we work with. My love for children, especially those with special needs, is at the core of everything I do. Every day, I feel privileged to make a positive difference in their lives, fostering connections, alleviating parental stress, and collaborating with inclusive educators.

For me, this isn't just a job—it's my life's work, my greatest contribution to the world. The journey hasn't always been easy, but the impact I've seen reaffirms my unwavering dedication. I am eternally grateful to the children who have taught me invaluable lessons along the way, and I look forward to continuing this journey of inspiration and empowerment.