Welcome!
Myriam Wilkes, BS, MSEd, EdD Candidate — Autism Expert, Behavior Specialist, Founder of Squish4Joy, and Doctoral Candidate at Vanderbilt University
Empowering individuals. Supporting families. Transforming outcomes.
I am an Autism Expert with a Master of Science in Education in Special Education and advanced graduate training in autism, behavior, and transition. I am also a doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt University, where my work centers on leadership, learning, and systems that improve outcomes for individuals and families. I specialize in designing customized, evidence-based interventions that lead to meaningful, measurable progress for autistic children, teens, and adults, as well as individuals with behavioral challenges who benefit from structured, ethical behavior support.
What distinguishes my work goes beyond credentials. I am also a mother of two autistic children. I understand, firsthand, what it means to support a child through a meltdown, anticipate sensory needs before they escalate, and teach regulation skills in the middle of everyday life. This lived experience shapes my practice. It makes my approach practical, compassionate, and grounded in what actually works outside of clinical settings.
I work with individuals ages 18 months through 25 years across home, school, and community environments. My interventions focus on building foundational and functional skills, including communication, emotional regulation, social interaction, sensory integration, and daily living skills. At the core of everything I do is a commitment to self-determination and long-term independence.
With certifications in more than 40 evidence-based practices, I meet each individual where they are and design interventions that align with their strengths, needs, and goals. Equally important, I empower parents and caregivers with clear, usable strategies so progress continues beyond sessions and becomes part of daily life.
Whether you are a parent seeking meaningful support or a professional interested in collaboration, I am here to help you create sustainable, lasting growth. I would be honored to walk alongside you in this journey.
Schedule your free consultation today, and let’s create real change together.
My Approach
I help children/adults grow, and I help parents lead that growth with confidence.
My work is personalized, practical, and grounded in evidence-based practices. Every intervention is tailored to your child’s learning style, communication needs, sensory profile, and behavioral goals, using strategies that work in real life, not just in sessions.
I draw from proven approaches such as visual supports, social narratives, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions, Pivotal Response Treatment, Discrete Trial Training, and video modeling to build communication, regulation, and independence.
At the core of my work is a simple truth: parents are the most powerful influence in a child’s development. Real progress happens at home, in daily routines, play, and everyday moments. That is why parent training is central to everything I do.
Together, we build practical tools that support your child’s growth and empower you to lead with confidence, today and long-term.