About Melissa Sornik...

Melissa is the co-founder and president of LI-TECA, Inc. (Long Island Twice Exceptional Children’s Advocacy) a not-for–profit organization supporting special populations of gifted children and their families. She holds a masters degree in social work from Fordham University’s Advanced Standing Program with a specialization in children and their families. She is the creator of a talent development mentor program for twice exceptional children and adolescents and has co-authored an article on twice exceptional identification guidelines. Melissa conducts lectures and workshops for parents, teachers and mental health professionals at school districts, local colleges and regional and national conferences. She has served on local and Nassau County SEPTA boards and was a member of the GT/LD student subcommittee of the academic senate's liaison committee for students with disabilities at Nassau Community College for the development of the Achilles Project, and held professional development workshops for Achilles instructors. Lecture and workshop topics include the paradox of twice exceptionality, myths of giftedness, visual spatial learners, and the importance of talent development in divergent learners.  Melissa has been a school social worker in a private setting for multiply disabled students, ages eleven through twenty one. She is also a SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) certified support group facilitator. In addition to her private practice, Melissa is a parent coach and trainer for Ramapo for Children, conducting workshops and training sessions for parents of children with ASD, and for individuals working with children with special needs.