ABOUT CONNECTION SQUARED
OUR STORY
MEET THE TEAM
Dr. Ali Arena Perkinson
FOUNDER | SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST | BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST
A licensed therapist, specializing in neurodivergence, Ali is a proud ADHDer who understands, firsthand, the neuro distinct experience. She grew up with undiagnosed dyscalculia, dyslexia, and ADHD which, in turn, lead her to becoming a recovering perfectionist who helps others through similar journeys.
An East coaster at heart, Dr. Ali loves pizza, true crime podcasts, barre exercises and being with her husband and fur baby (a lovingly energetic whippet - the dog, not the husband). She loves learning and is naturally skilled at ‘seeing the big picture’ which makes her the go-to expert when looking for root causes and ultimate solutions that don’t just provide band-aid fixes.
Brooke Staub
ONLINE BUSINESS MANAGER
Brooke is the Online Business Manager at Connection Squared. She has worked with Ali for several years and manages the systems behind the scenes. She specializes in streamlining and simplifying systems and operations for entrepreneurs, coaches, online business owners, service providers, and creatives.
Antoinette Mendoza
SPEECH THERAPIST
Antoinette is a speech therapist at Connection Squared. Under Dr. Ali’s guidance within graduate school and throughout her post-graduate career, Antoinette has obtained an interest in working with others to cultivate their social communication skills. Within Connection Squared, Antoinette is able to experience opportunities to collaborate with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life.
"I don't fit in just one therapeutic style."
Ali looks at neurodiversity in reality, not just through the limited lens that the medicalized model provides (which stems from deficit culture and the cure-fix mentality). She believes there is nothing to be fixed in a neurodiverse person but there are accommodations that need to be made and strategies that need to be developed in order to help a neurodiverse person to achieve success in a variety of aspects of life.
Resonating more with being a holistic practitioner, Ali applies her scientific background in a functional medicine style. Ali provides an abundance of non-traditional therapies (long walks and ‘fidget’ tools) and provides a safe place with diverse perspectives and zero judgment that allows her patrons to learn and grow organically while providing direction, alignment, and actionable skills to move them toward their goals.
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Ali’s background is uniquely comprehensive with a diverse list of certifications and experiences that continue to grow. She is not only a Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Ali is also specially trained in Neurodiverse Couples Counseling, Level 1 & 2 Gottman, Layla Martin’s Sex, Love & Relationship Coaching, Trauma-Informed Care, Safe & Sound protocol, Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT), and much, much more. She is also the amazing creator of the Bridge Method.
Our Partners
Coming to our practice from an experience-based neurodivergent framework means that we believe there are many ways for brains to function.
These differences don’t need to be ‘fixed’ but rather understood, accommodated for, and leveraged to create more meaningful and enriched lives for all.
Unlearning messages of internalized ableism that often produce deep feelings of shame and otherness underpins everything we do. This empowerment led approach helps us to develop a more progressive alternative narrative that creates safe, happy and inclusive communities.
Removing barriers to communication and connection while honoring the real experiences of those living with ADHD & Autism allows for a more solution-focused dynamic within neurodiverse families, relationships and individuals.
We work to understand the unique ways our brain functions, to accept and value our differences, and ultimately to develop a framework of approaches, systems, and routines that make achieving any goal possible.
Find Out More
COMMUNICATION QUIZ