Community Autism Network

 Meet the Director of the Community Autism Network at FGCU 

Dr. Annemarie Connor

The mission of The Community Autism Network at FGCU is to integrate curated, evidence-based information from research into educational and clinical content, which informs the delivery of health and human services to individuals in our community with autism and/or other neurodiverse conditions, including intellectual disability, across the lifespan. The intent is to organize an interprofessional framework of disciplines representing faculty and team science focused on the application of psychoeducational strategies and community assets to improve the delivery of health and human services within this focal area. For more information please contact Dr. Annemarie Connor at aconnor@fgcu.edu. 

Meet the Team

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 Annemarie Connor is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Director of the Community Autism Network at Florida Gulf Coast University. Annemarie’s autism focus area is adolescence and postsecondary transition with an emphasis on social participation, vocational skills, and wellness. 

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Dr. Annemarie Connor

Director of CAN @ FGCU | Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences  

Phone:  239-745-4444

E-mail: aconnor@fgcu.edu

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 Noelle Balsamo is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College of Education’s Department of Teaching and Learning and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Noelle’s focus areas include improving identification and treatment for females with ASD, early language and literacy, parent training and inclusive educational practices.  

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Dr. Noelle Balsamo

Assistant Professor, College of Education

Phone: 239-590-7811

E-mail: nbalsamo@fgcu.edu

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Sarah Fabrizi is an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy program. Sarah’s collaborations with CAN cover early identification and early childhood supports and services, with a focus on play & playfulness, parent engagement, and social-emotional development and participation.

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Dr. Sarah Fabrizi

Associate Professor , Occupational Therapy program

Phone:  239-590-1854

E-mail: sfabrizi@fgcu.edu

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Theresa M Lemieux is a retired elementary teacher and missionary. Coming off the mission field from Honduras, she chose to settle in Fort Myers, which is much warmer than her birth home of Minnesota. Over many years of teaching, Theresa saw many undiagnosed autistic students, as well as having autism affect her personally as her youngest son and two of her grandchildren are on the autism spectrum. Theresa has a passion to bring the autistic community of SWFL together, to be informed and united in assuring each person on the spectrum will reach their potential. 

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Theresa Lemieux

Parent and Family Advocate

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 Joanna Salapska-Gelleri is an Associate Professor of Cognitive Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her collaborations with CAN include the Promising Pathways annual conference, and her research focuses on the cognitive and neurological aspects of ASD.

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Dr. Joanna Salapska-Gelleri

Associate Professor, Cognitive Psychology

Phone: 239-590-7358

E-mail: jsalapsk@fgcu.edu

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 Ann L. Tilman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling for the School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. Her collaborations with CAN include play-based supports like play counseling/therapy and AutPlay and transdisciplinary teaming for career and postsecondary transitions. 

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Dr. Ann Tilman

Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling 

Phone: 239-745-4444

E-mail: atilman@fgcu.edu

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Leslie Meskin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Leslie’s focus areas around autism include fostering awareness, inclusion, and interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education and identifying and addressing service gaps in treatment with individuals and families.

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Dr. Leslie Meskin

Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work

Phone: 239-590-7829

E-mail: lmeskin@fgcu.edu