Gina Kernicky is double graduate of the University of Miami, with degrees in Psychology and Criminology. She received a Master’s Degree in Social Service from the first Social Work program in the country, Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research (clinical application track) at Bryn Mawr College. She has over 10 years of professional experience in the mental health, therapeutic, and counseling fields, with a specialization in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and disability. As a sibling of an individual low on the ASD spectrum, in addition to numerous other medical and mental health diagnoses, Gina has over 30 years of direct experience with individuals and families dealing with ASD. Currently Gina works as the Director of Social Services, a department she founded to teach Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to take on and better serve individuals higher on the spectrum as well as creative therapies such as art, music, and movement, at the PAAL (Preparing Adolescents and Adults for Life) program for individuals with a primary diagnosis of ASD under MECA (Mission for Educating Children with Autism).