The Ziggurat Group
Counseling and Evaluation for Autistic Individuals and Families
Welcome
The Ziggurat Group is dedicated to helping autistic individuals improve their lives. We offer specialized counseling and team autism evaluation services to children and adults. Our broader mission is to increase acceptance of autism and neurodiversity and to improve services and supports. We offer resources and training to help attain this goal.
Please contact us for questions about our services.
214-227-7741 ✉️
Other Assessments
The Ziggurat Group is a team of professionals from different fields. We are able to offer a variety of evaluation and intervention services to better meet the needs of our clients.
Intellectual and Educational Assessment
Assessment of intelligence and academic achievement is available through The Ziggurat Group. Educational Diagnosticians, who specialize in assessment of educational concerns, conduct these evaluations. Staff utilize state-of-the-art techniques to develop a profile of strengths and needs.
Speech and Language Assessment
Speech and language assessments are conducted by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) who has earned the American Speech-Language Hearing Association Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). The SLPs at the Ziggurat group are experienced in providing comprehensive assessment in the following areas: Receptive and Expressive Language; Articulation; Pragmatic Language; Pre-Verbal Language. At The Ziggurat Group, the SLP plays an active role on the Autism evaluation team; providing support for diagnosis as well as interventions. The SLPs at The Ziggurat Group are trained in the Ziggurat Model and are active in parent training, professional trainings as well as training school district employees in Texas and across the country. Full assessment as well as consultative services are provided.
Sensory and Motor Assessment
Sensory and motor assessments are conducted by our expert Occupational Therapists. Reports provide practical solutions that help individuals function well across settings.
Online Training
-
Helping Autistic Children and Adolescents at Home and in School
Course5.0 average rating (2 reviews)Overcome obstacles for success at home and school with the Ziggurat Model - a system for designing strategies and supports for people on the autism spectrum. The Ziggurat Model simplifies a complex process and creates real transformation.
Purchase -
Self-Help Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Adolescents and Adults on the Spectrum
Course5.0 average rating (1 review)Individuals on the spectrum benefit from learning a framework for recognizing their own needs and identifying helpful strategies. Through learning to ask and answer five key categories of questions, one can take develop supports and improve outcomes.
-
Strategies to Improve Mental Health Outcomes and Daily Life for Adolescents and Adults on the Spectrum
Course5.0 average rating (1 review)Professionals are not always prepared with the skills needed to serve the mental health needs of individuals on the spectrum. Five key categories of questions guide individuals on the spectrum and providers in developing effective supports.
-
Demystifying Girls and Women on the Spectrum
CourseThis workshop provides an overview of some of the challenges in identifying autistic girls and women. Drs. Aspy and Grossman review the literature and answer questions about evaluation, autistic burnout, and more.
-
Respecting Neurodiversity and the Personal Experience of Autism in Assessment and Programming
Course4.5 average rating (2 reviews)The field of autism has focused on observable behaviors. In order to improve outcomes, professionals must inquire about and acknowledge the personal experiences of autistic individuals and work to minimize the impact of masking on the process.
-
Addressing Behavior Challenges: Creating a Specific Ziggurat FBA
Course5.0 average rating (1 review)The Ziggurat FBA: A revolutionary way to create positive supports for autistic individuals. This course is an extension of the 8-session Ziggurat Model Course: Helping Autistic Children and Adolescents at Home and in School.
Licensed Psychologist Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D.
Barry G. Grossman, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and author in private practice. He specializes in counseling and assessing individuals on the spectrum and has an emphasis on working with females on the spectrum. Dr. Grossman presents internationally and has provided state-wide training and consultation to improve autism assessment and intervention in the public schools. He has authored books, textbook chapters, and journal articles. Dr. Grossman, along with his co-author, Dr. Aspy, wrote The Ziggurat Model-a book on designing interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum. The Ziggurat Model, which earned the Literary Achievement Award from the Autism Society, is being used successfully throughout the United States and internationally in countries including Japan, Greece, Canada, and Mexico. Dr. Grossman serves on the Autism Society's Panel of Professional Advisors.
About Us
Licensed Psychologist Ruth Aspy, Ph.D.
Ruth Aspy, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist specializing in transdisciplinary assessment and intervention for individuals on the spectrum. She is co-author of a comprehensive model of intervention, The Ziggurat Model, which earned the Literary Achievement Award from the Autism Society. Dr. Aspy has provided training and consultation throughout the United States and internationally. She serves on the Autism Society of America’s Panel of Professional Advisors. Her focus is on understanding the underlying characteristics of autistic individuals keeping their neurological/brain differences in mind. Dr. Aspy believes that kindness is at the heart of all good support strategies. She has an emphasis on working with females on the spectrum and with those individuals who have symptoms of catatonia.
Staff
Susan B. Jamieson, M.Ed. RPED
Susan Jamieson, M.Ed. is a Registered Professional Educational Diagnostician who has worked in Special Education in the state of Texas for over 35 years. She served as a Special Education Administrator for twenty years. Susan has also worked as a special education teacher and as an educational diagnostician with students 3-21 years. She has experience with team evaluations specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Susan received her Masters of Education and various educational certifications from Texas Woman’s University.
Dawn Olivares, BSOT, OTR
Dawn Olivares, BSOT, OTR, is a board certified, licensed Occupational Therapist who earned her degree in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 1997. She specializes in pediatrics and sensory-motor applications for functional outcomes. Dawn has experience working in public schools, private home-based therapy, pediatric home healthcare, and presenting to preschools, school staff, and other therapists. She also works with The Ziggurat Group as part of the Autism Assessment Team and has extensive experience in developing sensory diets for children with ASD. In addition, Dawn is an ACE-certified fitness nutrition specialist and group fitness instructor specializing in yoga.
Nicole Brin, M.A., CCC-SLP
Nicole Brin, M.A., CCC-SLP earned her masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Texas. She has worked for over a decade across several interventional settings. She works with children (birth – 18 years old) as well as adults. Nicole has worked in the Texas public schools, private clinic, and pediatric hospital settings. She enjoys working with young children in order to encourage development of overall communication skills as well as with older children who benefit from rehabilitation in the areas of speech and language. Nicole has extensive experience in the areas of infant feeding, feeding therapy with “selective eaters” as well as evaluations and interventions with children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Susan B. Jamieson, M.Ed. RPED
Susan Jamieson, M.Ed. is a Registered Professional Educational Diagnostician who has worked in Special Education in the state of Texas for over 35 years. She served as a Special Education Administrator for twenty years. Susan has also worked as a special education teacher and as an educational diagnostician with students 3-21 years. She has experience with team evaluations specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Susan received her Masters of Education and various educational certifications from Texas Woman’s University.
Dawn Olivares, BSOT, OTR
Dawn Olivares, BSOT, OTR, is a board certified, licensed Occupational Therapist who earned her degree in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University in 1997. She specializes in pediatrics and sensory-motor applications for functional outcomes. Dawn has experience working in public schools, private home-based therapy, pediatric home healthcare, and presenting to preschools, school staff, and other therapists. She also works with The Ziggurat Group as part of the Autism Assessment Team and has extensive experience in developing sensory diets for children with ASD. In addition, Dawn is an ACE-certified fitness nutrition specialist and group fitness instructor specializing in yoga.
Nicole Brin, M.A., CCC-SLP
Nicole Brin, M.A., CCC-SLP earned her masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Texas. She has worked for over a decade across several interventional settings. She works with children (birth – 18 years old) as well as adults. Nicole has worked in the Texas public schools, private clinic, and pediatric hospital settings. She enjoys working with young children in order to encourage development of overall communication skills as well as with older children who benefit from rehabilitation in the areas of speech and language. Nicole has extensive experience in the areas of infant feeding, feeding therapy with “selective eaters” as well as evaluations and interventions with children and adults on the autism spectrum.
Susan B. Jamieson, M.Ed. RPED
Susan Jamieson, M.Ed. is a Registered Professional Educational Diagnostician who has worked in Special Education in the state of Texas for over 35 years. She served as a Special Education Administrator for twenty years. Susan has also worked as a special education teacher and as an educational diagnostician with students 3-21 years. She has experience with team evaluations specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Susan received her Masters of Education and various educational certifications from Texas Woman’s University.
License Information
Dr. Ruth Aspy is a Licensed Psychologist with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TX License #25309).
Dr. Barry G. Grossman is a Licensed Psychologist with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TX License #32169).
For information on how to verify a license, please go to www.tsbep.texas.gov.
For information on how to file a complaint, please go to the following page: https://www.tsbep.texas.gov/how-to-file-a-complaint-enforcement.
Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Please contact our office at (214) 227-7741 if you’d like to request a Good Faith Estimate.
Office Location and Contact Information
Email or phone us to learn more about our services
17430 Campbell Road, Suite 112
Dallas, TX 75252
214-227-7741
Download Spruce Health and send secure message
https://spruce.care/zigguratgroup