Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Siclari.
Hi Jenna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey working with the autistic community began when I was just 14 years old. At the time, I connected with a 7-year-old boy through play therapy—an experience that left a lasting impression and ultimately shaped the direction of my career. That early connection led me to Pioneer Day School, a nonpublic school in Ocean Beach serving individuals with moderate to severe disabilities. Over the course of 12 years there, I grew from a behavior support staff member to a supervisor and then a teacher’s assistant. During that time, I earned my teaching credential and a master’s degree in special education, becoming an Education Specialist.
Pioneer was more than just a workplace—it was where I developed deep professional skills and formed lifelong friendships. It was also during this time that I reconnected with Julie Sando, the mentor who had introduced me to play-based therapy years earlier. I watched her work with one of my students, helping him learn to spell to communicate using text-based methods. I was deeply moved as I saw this minimally speaking student type out not only answers, but his own thoughts and opinions. With Julie as his communication partner, he now had a reliable way to express himself.
That moment changed everything for me. I knew I had to learn more. I enrolled in the Communication for Education training and began volunteering at as many Spellers events as I could. In June 2023, I officially stepped away from the classroom and completed my certification as a Spelling to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner—a rigorous and rewarding program that felt like graduate school all over again.
Fueled by a renewed passion, I launched my practice, Education Connections Inc., in May 2024. Almost immediately, my schedule filled with families eager to support their neurodiverse loved ones.
Today, I feel incredibly grateful to work alongside these families as we build inclusive, supportive environments where every individual has the tools they need to thrive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been easy, but the challenges have been just as valuable as the successes. In the fall of 2022, I was recruited to teach in a local school district. I was excited to bring my experience in relationship-building, student regulation, and positive motivation into a new setting. But that excitement faded quickly. I was placed in a classroom with untrained staff and faced constant administrative barriers that made meaningful change feel impossible. With a full day of student support and no time for planning or paperwork, I quickly found myself overwhelmed and exhausted.
I stayed from January through June, but by the end of the school year, I was completely burned out. I left with no plan—only the clarity that I couldn’t keep going down that path. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for that difficult experience. If I hadn’t been pushed to that point, I don’t know if I would have found the courage to take the leap away from schools. That moment of struggle gave me the push I needed to dive fully into the Spelling world—and I haven’t looked back since.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Education Connections Inc.?
Education Connections Inc. provides in-home support for individuals with autism and other communication-related disabilities. We recognize that many in this community experience apraxia—a brain-body disconnect that impacts motor planning and execution. While these individuals may struggle to communicate verbally or physically, their cognitive understanding and ability to learn are fully intact. What often appears as non-responsiveness or incorrect actions is not a lack of comprehension, but a sensory-motor challenge.
With this understanding, we move away from outdated approaches and focus instead on respectful, age-appropriate education. Our work combines motor coaching with meaningful content to support purposeful movement and help individuals strengthen the connection between their brain and body. It’s essential to recognize that outward behavior does not always reflect a person’s true thoughts or intentions.
By building the skills to spell to communicate, our clients gain a powerful tool for self-expression. They develop autonomy and a reliable way to share their thoughts, preferences, and dreams. Alongside our direct work with individuals, we also partner closely with families and team members—offering training and guidance to support communication and participation in everyday life.
Collaboration is a key part of our mission. We proudly partner with and promote trusted organizations including Autistically Inclined, Teva Community, Communication for Education, Sunrise Therapies, and Camp Spirit—each of which shares our vision of empowerment and inclusion.
What makes you happy?
What brings me the most joy are the moments of genuine connection—with people, with nature, and with the present. I love an unplanned afternoon that turns into something unexpectedly perfect. I find happiness in lingering dinners where everyone stays at the table just to enjoy each other’s company, or game nights that stretch late into the early morning because you lost track of time. Cooking nourishing meals for myself and others is a grounding ritual I cherish. And there’s nothing quite like being barefoot in the grass or feeling the sand beneath my feet. It’s the simple things—less screen time, more real-world connection—that bring me back to what matters most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://educationconnectionsinc.com
