Spectrum Connect Virtual Ambassador

Dr. April Coleman

Spectrum Connect: From Practice to Partnership

We are honored to welcome featured speaker Dr. April Coleman, who will share how to integrate Spectrum into your professional recommendations and how to recognize leadership potential in others, which will reinforce the importance of strategic community partnerships.

In particular, incredibly valuable topics such as:

• How do you intentionally direct clients and families to trusted community resources
• Why recommend and support Spectrum within the broader autism ecosystem
• How collaborative partnerships strengthen outcomes for families
• Your perspective on identifying and recruiting strong board members who align with mission-driven work

Our goal for the evening is not only awareness, but also activation.

About Dr. April Coleman
Dr. April L. Coleman is a Georgia-licensed psychologist, published author, professional speaker, and the clinical training site coordinator for GAC. She has been working in the mental health field since 2009. Dr. Coleman specializes in the comprehensive assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and anxiety. She works with individuals as young as 12 months old. Dr. Coleman also speaks at various parent events and workshops in which she educates parents and caregivers about the common signs of ADHD, ASD, and anxiety; when it is time to seek support from a qualified professional for an assessment; and what next steps should be once the assessment process is complete, and diagnoses are shared.

Dr. Coleman developed a strong interest in working with children and adolescents before completing her undergraduate and graduate studies. She became more interested in working specifically with children after completing an undergraduate externship through The Georgia Center for Children (now The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy) and continuing to work in settings serving the needs of children in the foster care system with histories of trauma. She began her initial graduate training working in a community counseling center serving the needs of children and adolescents residing in a group home setting with histories of trauma. She went on to gain additional experience within the pediatric population where she first received training in working with children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and gained additional experience working within a specialized treatment center providing individual, family, and group therapy to children and adolescents with histories of sexual abuse and/or sexual behavior problems.

Dr. Coleman is very active in her community, participating in various activities involving mental health awareness and advocacy, and uplifting and empowering youth and their families. Dr. Coleman is on the Board of Directors for SPECTRUM Autism Support, Education, and Resources; a member of Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties (JLGNF); a member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA); the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA); the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA); and the American Psychological Association (APA). She has conducted workshops at community mind/body/health fairs sponsored by the Georgia Psychological Association, has presented on learning disabilities and ADHD at an annual regional psychological association conference, and she has provided pro bono workshops, trainings, and educational sessions for parents and families within community and school settings on various topics, including ASD and ADHD assessment, childhood trauma, trauma assessment, childhood anxiety, and conflict resolution.

In her spare time, Dr. Coleman enjoys traveling, reading, being outdoors, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends.