Amy O'Dell

Amy O'Dell has worked among the neurodivergent for decades years as a teacher, scientist, and caregiver. After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from Clemson University in behavioral science, Amy worked as a licensed counselor in clinical settings, primarily working with patients with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. Then, her own son was born with significant neurological challenges.

This life-altering diagnosis led her to combine her career experience with the profound and passionate love of a parent. Not content to leave Jacob without hope of a future, her work and passion propelled her to develop a methodology in which anyone can play a part of the solution and create the conditions for everyone to have an equal chance to flourish.

Jacob indeed has flourished, as have hundreds of students at Jacob’s Ladder, a non-profit, accredited school and research center, which Amy founded in 1999 (and where Jacob is now a teacher). Through the use of first-hand accounts and inspirational success stories, Amy gives practical guidance to caregivers and hope to all individuals with neurobiological delays and disorders.

Audiences will leave educated on the importance of playing a part in the solution and completely inspired as to what’s possible through heart-led counseling, education, and therapeutic intervention.

Note: Secular and faith-based versions of Amy’s talks are available upon request.