Tracy Hilgenfeld, MSEd

Tracy Hilgenfeld, an autism consultant at the Autism Center, provides behavior consultation and early intensive behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Tracy received her BS in elementary education at Wichita State University and her MS.Ed. degree in special education with an autism emphasis at the University of Kansas.

While pursuing her degree, Tracy provided in-home therapy to children with moderate-to-severe autism and helped families implement their own ABA and social skills programs in their homes. In spring of 2000, Tracy helped design an inclusive autism classroom in Kansas City where she also taught and provided consultation services. During this time she co-taught a university-sponsored class focusing on communication and learning strategies for students with limited verbal language. In addition, she provided in-service training for teachers on topics such as discrete trial teaching, visual teaching strategies, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and functional behavioral assessment.

In 2005, Tracy moved to Seattle to pursue her doctorate at the University of Washington and co-supervised the Early Start Autism Intervention Project from 2005-2008. In this position she assessed children ages eighteen months to four years, developed goals, trained and supervised therapy assistants, and provided parent training. Tracy plans to receive her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification later this year.