About Special NeshamaHs
The main purpose of our organization is to provide a supportive network for families of children with special needs. We offer support groups, where families can come together and share their experiences, as well as connect with resources necessary to assist with their child’s special needs and navigate various service systems.
a supportive community for families with children with disabilities
Special Neshamahs was created with the purpose to form and uphold a supportive community for families with children with disabilities. Working with families with children with different disabilities to increase awareness, improve knowledge and understanding, provide resources, and tools to ultimately create a supportive community for such families. Special Neshamahs aims to offer support groups, where families can come together and share their experiences, as well as connect with resources necessary to assist with their child’s special needs and navigate various systems. Such resources can include access to parent training, therapists, information on treatments, legal avenues, and state resources
Mission Statement
To create a compassionate and informed community that empowers families with the tools they need to navigate their child’s unique journey.
Meet The Team
Meet the people behind Special Neshamahs: advocates, educators, and parents working together to turn challenges into progress and isolation into connection. Guided by compassion and practicality, our team brings expertise from classrooms, clinics, and living rooms to support families every step of the way.
Violetta Pinkhasova
The co-founder of Special Neshamahs is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in the field. Holding a Bachelor’s degree from QC College and a Master of Science in Education (MSED) in Secondary Education, she also has extended knowledge in Early Childhood Education and Students with Disabilities. Her extensive experience working with students of varying abilities has fostered a deep passion for providing equal educational opportunities and support to all children, regardless of their challenges.
As a mother of a child with a disability, the founder’s personal journey has fueled her commitment to advocacy. Inspired by her own child, she strives to bridge the gap between home and school, ensuring that every child is given the tools and support they need to thrive. Her vision for Special Neshamahs is grounded in her belief that every child deserves the chance to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom. Through this organization, she aims to offer resources, support, and opportunities for children with special needs, while advocating as a parent and fostering understanding within communities. Violetta dreams of bringing the community closer to the world of these parents — to open hearts and minds to their experiences. She hopes to create a space where the community can truly see and support them, joining together to help these children grow into confident, independent individuals who can thrive and find their place in our society.
Ed Maksumov
Eduard (Ed) Maksumov is the Treasurer and co-founder of Special Neshamahs. In this role, he oversees the organization’s financial operations, ensuring resources are managed effectively and directed where they’re needed most.
Professionally, Ed is a seasoned tax/accounting professional with a strong background in assisting business owners. He helps clients implement tax-saving strategies, compliance and achieving long-term financial growth.
Driven by his personal experience of having a family member with special needs, Ed helped establish Special Neshamahs to provide essential support, advocacy, and opportunities for families navigating unique challenges. Through this work, he remains dedicated to empowering others and creating lasting positive impact in the community.
Elena Aronov
Elena Aronov is a dedicated professional in the field of special education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with over a decade of experience supporting individuals with disabilities. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a Master of Science in Education (MS.Ed) with a concentration in Autism from C.W. Post Long Island University. As a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), she has worked extensively with individuals ranging from early childhood to young adulthood, addressing a variety of skill levels and behavioral needs.
Since 2013, Elena has been committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through direct instruction, evaluations, supervision, and parent training. She spent five years as a lead teacher in a specialized school and later expanded her impact by providing ASD and ABA training to organizations, schools, and staff across New York City through a grant-funded initiative. Her expertise spans supervision, assessments, individualized interventions, and professional development.
Passionate about advocacy, awareness, and access to evidence-based strategies, Elena strives to ensure that individuals and families receive the necessary resources and tools to promote meaningful growth and independence. She is honored to serve on the board and contribute to the mission of supporting individuals with disabilities through research-driven approaches and community engagement.
Testimonials
