Dr. Mayo, after reading all she could on behavior analysis and facing a growing school and the necessity to improve, felt compelled to look overseas for guidance from the professionals whose books she had read. Her goal: to convince someone who had expertise in the field to come to Peru, understand their objectives, and advise them about how to proceed. Her search lead her to the University of Kansas’ (KU) Dr. Judith M. LeBlanc.
Dr. LeBlanc agreed to travel to Peru. She was impressed by what she saw during her first visit in 1981 and saw an opportunity to test her beliefs about how people learn. So began a long, productive partnership between Dr. Mayo and Dr. LeBlanc and between KU and CASP. Dr. LeBlanc would return to Peru for the next 35 years and help CASP develop a unique curriculum focused on functional and natural skills designed to prepare students for inclusion into life. With the mantra of “independent, productive, and happy", she has influenced the staff CASP to focus on students’ and their parents abilities rather than disabilities.
“One of the things we saw in Judy was the humbleness to teach us; she respected our culture,” Dr. Mayo says. From the beginning, Dr. LeBlanc encouraged the CASP team to think critically, to treat students as they would want to be treated, and to have a long-term vision. The relationship between CASP and Dr. LeBlanc has made CASP what it is today and is a true testament to the power of collaboration and the beauty that emerges when you give of yourself to others.
