Jeanne graduated magna cum laude with undergraduate degrees in History and Secondary Education from Northwestern University. While in Chicago, she co-directed a camp at a Jewish community center for autistic children. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree from the University of Kansas, specializing in Autism and (the now defunct term) Asperger’s Syndrome.

Jeanne’s background includes more than 18 years working with children, adolescents, and adults on the spectrum in a variety of different roles and environments. She has experience working as a paraeducator, home therapist, teacher, in-home service provider, and a community-based specialist. Jeanne has worked as an autism specialist for the past 15 years, beginning her practice with Responsive Centers for Psychology and Learning in 2006 before co-founding New Leaf Therapy Group in January 2015.

Jeanne has written several articles about increasing self-determination in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Jeanne co-authored Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Handbook for Parents and Professionals with Brenda Smith Myles. In 2010, Jeanne founded Camp Confidence, a weeklong summer day camp designed to help middle school students with ASD feel empowered in social interactions. Jeanne then co-founded C.H.A.S.E., a 501©3 organization in 2014. She has taught classes about autism at Johnson Community College in Overland Park, Kansas.