Leadership
Deborah J. Graham, PhD
President & Executive DirectorDr. Graham has over 20 years of experience as a special education teacher, director, administrator, and transition specialist. She holds a PhD in mild to moderate disabilities and an M.Ed in cross-categorical special education. Driven by her published research on post-secondary outcomes for students with disabilities, she founded True Genius Education to bridge the gap between high school and adulthood, building a dedicated organization that integrates therapeutic services, employment training, and personal independence.
Specialists
Speech Therapy
Our speech therapy team is lead by Susie Appleman, MA, CCC-SLP, COM® an ASHA-certified, Arizona licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Orofacial Myologist, and Teacher of Students with Speech and Hearing Disabilities. She is the founder of Big Apple Speech Therapy, LLC and has over 25 years of experience working with infants, children, and adults with varying degrees of communication impairments. Our team is committed to helping individuals find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
Education Specialists
Our academic team includes experienced education professionals with backgrounds and certifications in special education, general education, and targeted areas such as executive functioning, learning disabilities, and evidence-based literacy and dyslexia instruction. Through a structured, outcomes-driven approach that integrates instruction with post secondary transition planning, our team ensures students stay on track and successfully reach the finish line of earning their high school diploma, with a direct pathway into the workforce.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy services are lead by a licensed (OTR/L) and a team trained to deliver structured, individualized interventions that build independence across daily environments. Our team focuses on developing fine motor skills, sensory processing, executive functioning, and adaptive living skills that directly impact success at home, school, work, and in the community. Through a coordinated, goal-driven approach, our team helps individuals strengthen the foundational skills needed for independence, participation, and long-term success.
Certified Job Coaches
TGES employment services are led by certified job coaches and educators with extensive experience in transition planning, workforce readiness, and employer engagement. Our team of trained job coaches deliver structured, individualized support to help individuals build the skills necessary for competitive, integrated employment. Through consistent support and strategic employer partnerships, TGES job coaches guide individuals from initial skill development through successful job placement and sustained employment.