Shane graduated with dual degrees in Communication and Foreign Language/International Affairs – with a Japanese emphasis – from the University of Puget Sound in 2000.  A lover of all things sports, Shane fulfilled a childhood dream when she was hired by ESPN in Bristol, CT.  Shane left ESPN in 2002 to pursue another childhood passion, education.

She moved to San Diego and began working as a one on one aide for a 2nd grader with autism.  Her experience with him, his family, and his educational path was so rewarding that she returned to school at the University of Washington to study Early Childhood Special Education. During her Master’s program, Shane worked as an assistant teacher in the Project DATA (developmentally appropriate treatment of autism) classroom at the Experimental Education Unit and volunteered in preschool and kindergarten classrooms as well as in the ITP (infant/toddler program).

Shane received her Master’s degree and teaching certificate in June of 2006 and became the head teacher for Project DATA.  In April of 2007, Shane became BCBA certified. After three fantastic years as the head teacher for Project DATA, Shane and her colleague Heather opened Steps, their own consulting company for children with autism and their families.  In addition to Steps, Shane is currently pursuing her PhD in Special Education at the University of Washington.

In her spare time, Shane enjoys boating, traveling, playing soccer, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and drinking Starbucks coffee.

Heather graduated with her B.S. degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2001 with a passion to work with children. Upon graduation she taught children in South Korea for a year and when she returned home she began working with a little girl with autism. This experience lead her to pursue a career in special education. In June of 2005 she received her Master’s degree and teaching certificate from the University of Washington in Early Childhood Special Education. During her two years spent in the graduate program she worked at the Experimental Education Unit (EEU).  

Post graduation she spent time in Peru working with children and adults with special needs. In June 2006 Heather became an autism consultant at the University of Washington Autism Center. In April 2007 Heather became BCBA certified. It was during this time that Heather and Shane started to brainstorm about eventually starting up a company.

In addition to working with children with autism Heather enjoys traveling, fishing, surfing, golfing and spending time with her family and friends.