Kristan is an educator, consultant, and advocate for uniquely wired children and their families. Her work began at the Duke Child and Family Study Center working on the first longitudinal studies of children with ADHD.

She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, and has spent years supporting schools and families as a district behavioral consultant. In that role, she helped develop school-wide approaches for diverse learners and co-created a District Autism Support Team that integrated social thinking practices across classrooms and school communities.

Kristan’s approach focuses on reframing behavior (not as good or bad, but as expected or unexpected), and helping children understand the why behind their actions. Through her work in schools and community-based programs for underserved youth, she blends academic, emotional, and social development to support the whole child.

She is deeply committed to helping families recognize their child’s strengths, reduce daily stress, and build confidence in advocating for their child’s success at both school and at home.