Debbie explains the role Neurology plays in NDM as “the science of the workings of the brain, brain states, and neurodiversity.” While at first glance this might look like a crash course on understanding the differences between neurodivergent brains and neurotypical brains, NDM is more about understanding the similarities in how both brains develop: “NDM […]
Neuro-Developmental Mentoring Neurodevelopmental mentoring is a developmental assistance strategy for parents, support professionals, or anyone with a vested interest in the continuing development of neurodivergent children, teens, and young adults. It has been coined and created by Jason and Debbie Grygla. Jason and Debbie Grygla are expert mentors. It’s their passion, and it’s their goal […]
Jason Grygla is the Executive Director, Founder, partner and mentor to everyone at TFL. He works directly with parents and students to ensure success at TFL.
Jason pioneered Neurodevelopmental Mentoring to ensure sustainable growth and not temporary changes of behavior. He is passionate about the development of TFL as a program, and his employees, and all the students he has the honor to work with.
Jason has been a therapist for over twenty years, Clinical Director, and held many professional positions, but learned more from parenting neurodivergent young adults into independence. He and his wife Debbie love sharing all they have learned with others on their podcast, Autism & Neurodiversity, so that everyone who is or supports those who are neurodivergent can live their best lives.
He has been a juvenile probation officer, Scout Master, professional clown and no one loves rocks and minerals more than Jason. He’s a balloon twister, unicycler, thrill seeker and enjoys all things outdoors. He loves connecting with others more than all else. Teaching is a passion and seeking truth as a compass to cling to guides him.
Debbie Grygla is the Admissions and Marketing Director and works with educational consultants, parents and students to find out if TechieForLife will be a good fit.
She knows as a parent herself how important it is to find the right support for a child that is struggling. Debbie has parented neurodivergent foster/adopted children of her own into independent adulthood. Her son, Lee, was one of TechieForLife’s first students.
She is also a trained Life and Parent Coach who teaches a weekly life skills class at TFL, runs the TFL Parent Coaching Group, and is the producer and co-host of the Autism & Neurodiversity podcast.
Debbie is a dance mom, kid taxi driver and an avid personal development podcast listener from California, Arizona and for the last eight years Toquerville, Utah.
Emi is a Night Mentor who works with TFL students to help them feel safe, have fun, and feel included at TFL.
Emi is the oldest child in her family of 8. During her time playing high school soccer, musical theater, cross country, and chamber choir, she learned to love being part of a team working toward the same goal. She knows the importance of having a support system that you can always count on, and she believes that life is better with good friends, fun experiences, and lots of laughter!
Emi enjoys singing, writing music, and doing anything outdoors. She was born in Logan, Utah but has spent the majority of her life in St George, Utah.
Kate Dummermuth is a peer mentor here at TechieForLife, who works with our students to help them accomplish their fullest potential. We cook, we clean, we do school work, but most of all we become friends.
Kate believes in the importances of belonging and acceptance to be able to grow. She does all she can to welcome students into our program where they can gain skills and experiences.
Kate is a first year exercise science major, with an emphasis in occupational therapy, at Dixie State University. As well as an ambassador for the university, where she gives tours and assists in recruitment.
Kates calls a small town named Caldwell, Idaho home, but for now is so happy to be living in St George. She loves all things outdoors. Hiking, fishing, camping…she’s all in. Which is perfect for where we are located. She also enjoys attending Dixie events and spending time with her friends.
Kensey is a day mentor at TFL and works with the students in their schooling and daily needs that they may have. She also works closely with students and other mentors at TFL in finding jobs and volunteer opportunities that they might be interested in.
Kensey believes in nurturing and helping students with their confidence in order to continue to grow towards independence at TFL and believes that everyone can achieve their goals if they have the support and mindset.
Kensey is graduating this May from Dixie State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in English. While at Dixie State, Kensey has worked in student government logging hundreds of service hours throughout the university and the community, and has loved the different opportunities and experiences that she was given while at the university.
Kensey is the oldest and only girl of 5 kids and is a reader, baker, and dancer from Tooele, Utah.
Devon is a mentor who works with TFL students in the evening, helping them improve their confidence and social skills.
He knows that the work done by night mentors gives students the genuine experience needed to live independently.
Devon gets TFL students involved at the university through his connections with Student Government and all other student organizations. Examples of his work include: helping TFL students start a club on campus, helping students get positions in student government, providing live performance opportunities for a student DJ, planning university events that cater to the neurodiverse population, and voluntarily taking classes with TFL students in an effort to help them make friends.
Devon is a highly involved student at the university, holding titles of: Vice President of Student Life (Student Government), Director of Social Events (Student Government), Ambassador, Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Club – Director of Events and Promotion, Student Fee Allocation Board member, University Journalism Internship, Honors Society Member, and more. These positions have prepared Devon for his 2022-23 Student Body President campaign.
He is currently achieving high honors while studying for a Bachelors of Science in Business Marketing, minoring in Digital Design, and he has a certificate in Entrepreneurship.
Devon is a music enthusiast and fun-loving social butterfly from Bountiful, UT.
Hayden is our Tech Coach. He develops our school curriculum and works with students to channel their focus and help them earn technical certifications.
He values patience and believes in doing things the right way, even if it’s not the easy way.
Hayden has experience as a former mentor at TechieForLife, and understands that neurodivergent students learn differently. He has developed strong relationships with each student and knows how to tailor lessons to fit their needs.
He is a current student at DSU, studying computer science.
Hayden is a gamer, music nerd, and movie buff from Surprise, Arizona.
Amit Flank is our Assistant Tech Coach. He works with students to help build their understanding of various tech related concepts ranging from web development to algorithmic optimization.
Amit has a deep understanding and love for tech having worked at various companies doing everything from building out HR software to working with facial recognition technology. He is excited to bring his passion and expertise to our students and help them grow their tech foundations at TFL.
Delcie Haney is a peer mentor who works with students who have different learning styles, and helps the students build up to being able to go off on their own with great adulting skills.
Delcie knows how important it is to parents and the student to find the right support system and a place they can call family. Delcie has been learning what it takes to be a part of TechieForLife and will do what it takes to bond with each student.
Delcie has worked with infants- preschoolers,and was in charge of taking care of 5-14 children throughout the day. She comes from a Military family and has volunteered at Spangdahlem Germany Legal Office for a year.
Delcie is First AID/ CPR certified, and has her food license for the state of Utah. She is very motivated and puts 100% into everything she does.
Cameron Vincent is the Director of Lower Division Students who works with all of our students enrolled at TechieForLife. He works to mentor our students in a variety of ways such as finishing high school, starting college, finding internships or a first job, getting their driver’s license, and anything else students need mentoring on. Cameron oversees the day-to-day life and operations of TechieForLife’s Lower Division students.
Cameron knows the importance of working side by side with a student to achieve healthy, long term, and sustainable growth.
He is a recent graduate from Dixie State University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and he is working to complete a master’s degree in counseling as well. Cameron works to apply his education to daily life at TechieForLife as well as presentations at the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Southwest conference.
In his spare time, Cameron enjoys spending time with his wife hiking, traveling, cooking and playing pickleball.
Cam is the Director of Student Development. He works with TFL students as they progress in sustainable independence, meaningful social connection, and marketable skill development while at TFL. His role is to connect closely with each of the students, help them overcome obstacles, and experience what active living has to offer. He likes to call it living on purpose! He works with the Executive Director, to oversee job and career success, life skills, personal development, social and emotional skills, and hard skill development.
Cam is passionate about progress. He believes that there are creative approaches to pretty much any developmental obstacle, and that people never stop growing. If students are stuck or think they can’t succeed, he likes to figure out how they can find success in a new way.
His biggest wins are in his relationships. He is married and has five children. He loves public speaking and has presented in conferences hosted by the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) and the Young Adult Transition Association (YATA).
Cam is an experienced mentor. He worked as a peer coach, mentor, tutor, and counselor in various capacities through his undergraduate and graduate experience.
He got his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is completing his masters degree in clinical mental health counseling this year from Colorado Christian University.
Cam is a cyclist and general fitness nerd from Saint George, UT.