Helen Nychka

Helen is a speech-language pathologist, who has specialized in the treatment of autism, for over 35 years. Helen focuses on analyzing learning and communication patterns so that families may be an integral part of developing communication, relationship and meaningful interactions with their child. Her approach to the treatment of autism incorporates information and techniques developed by TEACCH, the science of Applied Behavior Analysis, the DIR Floortime approach (Greenspan), Relationship Development Intervention (Gutstein), the SCERTS model (Prizant, et al), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM, Rogers, et al). Helen has completed graduate coursework in Behavior Analysis, is an advanced Hanen Programs certified instructor, and is a certified ESDM therapist. She has had the pleasure of presenting workshops, training school personnel, and consulting with families across the U.S., and in Denmark, Sweden, and Nigeria. She has provided consultation and training in many school districts in Colorado and Wyoming.

While Helen loves her work deeply, she also loves to play. When she is not focused on autism, Helen can be found hiking the trails of South Boulder, Nordic and Alpine skiing, DIY renovating houses to no end, cooking (eating!) and trying to get things to grow in Colorado. Helen has 3, young-adult children and has been married for 40 (count’em!) years to her husband, Douglas, a Professsor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Colorado School of Mines.