About Us
The Soul of Autism Mastermind is a unique support model for families, caregivers, professionals, and concerned citizens. Our community brings together real-world challenges and collaborative problem-solving for autism-related needs in home, school, and community settings.
While schools and therapies focus on longer-term goals, we understand that families navigate challenges daily. Our weekly meetings offer immediate support and solutions, with a monthly training facilitated by Michelle. Every voice matters at our table; together, we find answers no one person or program could provide alone.
Meet the Founder - Michelle Babitz
Founder, Educator, Facilitator
Michelle Babitz earned her Bachelor's degree from New York University (NYU). At NYU, she did a two-year study on autism and the expressive arts through their Gallatin Division. Michelle's Master's Degree was earned at Teachers College, Columbia University in Autism and Adolescents.
The first 20 years of Michelle’s teaching career were in New Jersey and Massachusetts, teaching in Private schools for autism. These schools taught her the importance of physical education, sensory integration, communication, Therapeutic Milieu, and vocational training. Therapeutic Milieu had a profound effect on her development as a professional.
Michelle learned the importance of including the person with autism as part of the team to create a more holistic approach to behavioral challenges. If the person with autism was non-verbal, every adult in the school who knew or interacted with that child or young adult was given the opportunity to be their voice. The base philosophy of Therapeutic Milieu is that change and growth can not be forced on an individual. Michelle learned how to understand the thoughts and emotions of her students and developed programs and curricula accordingly.