CalNAA Executive Board

Aria Ligi
Executive Director
California Chapter of the
National Autism Association
State Liaison for California/ Parent Advocate

Mom to Kaden, six, and Serallies, twelve, her son with Bipolar Disorder Two, Intermittent Explosive Disorder and Autism. Aria is a full time mom with a B.A. from San Francisco State University in Screenwriting and minor in psychology. She worked for ten years in the medical field doing billing and customer relations. She is a strong advocate for children in the community, as well as at the state and federal level.  In 2003, her chapter met with aides to Senator Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer on the revision of IDEA. The California Chapter of the NAA is the first out-of-state chapter of the NAA, and as such is leading the way for the formation of other NAA chapters. It is her goal to not only advocate for all families and individuals on the spectrum to make sure they receive the care and services they need, but also to educate the general community so that they can accept our children and adults as part of their community.

Jeanine Bishop, CalNAA Vice President and Co-founder, is a tireless advocate on behalf of her son, Jeremy, and his peers. Involved in her local school district as parent resource, special education staff, and former co-chair of her district's Special Education Community Advisory Committee, Jeanine is passionate about giving every child the best chance at a complete, and fulfilling future. In her role as a CalNAA representative, she brings her personal experience to schools and community groups who request inservices on a variety of autism related topics. Jeanine also serves as webmaster of the CALNAA website.

 

Bellinda Bluntach, Membership Chairperson, lives with her two sons, Brennon and Bristen, 7 and 6, respectively.  She works for the WCCUSD as an instructional aide with autistic preschoolers which she considers lucky, since Brennon wasn't diagnosed with autism until he was five. Little brother Bristen plays an important role with Brennon and incorporates countless ways of social interaction which Brennon responds to in the most positive way.

 

 

Wanda Kincy, CalNAA Community Relations Chairperson, is a single parent of two boys, Reginald 15 and Elijah 4.  Elijah was diagnosed with ASD in June of 2003. "Just days before his second birthday I received the diagnosis of Autism.  I said, please excuse me while I breakdown.  I cried uncontrollably for almost 10 minutes in the presence of the doctors.  Shortly thereafter I went into a deep 'funk', I was so very depressed."  Wanda had seen the movie Rainman. She said that was the only time she had seen autism displayed.  "I didn't know anything about autism so I began to attend seminars, lectures, support groups, read books, etc.  Oh! I thank God for CHAI (Children's Hospital Autism Intervention) and RCEB's (Regional Center of the East Bay) Regan Saucedo. These people helped me through it one step at a time.  Life hasn't been the same for Reginald and I since receiving Elijah's diagnosis. It's extremely challenging at times.  However, God gave me my boys for a reason. I never anticipated another child in my lifetime, but Elijah has shown me that it's really not about me at all.  It's about loving someone unconditionally, more than you love you yourself.  I just pray that I can be a good mother to both Elijah and Reginald."

CalNAA Advisory Board

Dr. Annette Blackman, County of Mental Health

Barbara Garcia ACDDAPC (Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Advisory and Planning Council) (bio)

Beth Templeton,  (bio)
Kaleidoscope Program at Julia Morgan Theatre

Michelle Garcia Winner, SLP (bio)

Dr. Susan Keeffe, WCCUSD Non Public School Administrator

Dave Sherman Esq.  (bio)

Betsy Katz, CARE (retired)

Dennis Debbaudt, Law enforcement Safety Expert (bio)

Dee Ann Schaer, SLP Herrick Hospital

Jane Reid, Esq. (Retired) (bio)

Meredith Akers, Program Specialist  (bio)
Asperger Inclusion Program (ASIP) and Autism Programs
Oakland Unified School District