Cyndee Policastro-Smith Email and Phone Number

My passion for working with children and individuals with developmental disabilities has driven my professional journey. I began this journey with running a family daycare while raising my three young children. Next, I began a path of working with children with autism as a paraprofessional in a special education school. I found I loved working with this population and pursued a degree in psychology and a certification in teaching. I spent many years providing in-home services for children on the autism spectrum and began teaching a self-contained class of students with autism. The next step in the journey was to obtain certification as a BCBA. Over those years I also co-directed Camp Bridge, a camp for special needs students during the summer, and coordinated Kidz Korner, after school programs for children with developmental disabilities. Currently, I teach a self-contained class of students with autism at Hooper Avenue Elementary and mentor other teachers, providing training and support to staff as an Autism Related Services Facilitator for Toms River Regional Schools. In addition, in my role as a BCBA I supervise home programs for children on the autism spectrum and for children with other developmental disabilities. My professional life provides an opportunity for me continue to pursue my passion!