Founder & Director – Michigan Autism Academy Staff & Occupational Training Center

 Special Education Advocate | Professional Life Coach | Parent Instructor | Licensed Training Provider

Pennie Ohia is the founder and director of Michigan Autism Academy Staff & Occupational Training Center, bringing more than fifteen years of hands-on experience supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities, behavioral challenges, and communication needs. 

Her journey began with her own family’s struggle navigating special education, which first opened her eyes to the gaps in services and the need for stronger family support. That early experience became the foundation of her lifelong commitment to advocacy, training, and community empowerment.

In 2011, motivated by her grandson’s challenges and the lack of appropriate support services in the community, Pennie founded Michigan Autism Academy. . What began as a personal mission quickly evolved into a program that provided structure, support, staffing, and real help to families who felt overlooked by the system. 

 By 2014, she expanded the academy by establishing a staffing agency component and serving as the Program Director, coordinating caregivers and supporting families across Wayne County. . In that role, she secured contracts with Community Living Services, Inc. and the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (now known as the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network). Her work focused on providing community-based support for  children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness, ensuring they received the services and care they were legally entitled to.   

Alongside her program leadership, Pennie became a respected trainer in Michigan and has been delivering instruction for direct care workers, foster care staff, respite providers, and community professionals since 2011. Her courses emphasize rights and equality of people with disabilites, dealing with difficult challenges, health and safety, building natural supports, professional ethics, and person-centered support, and are recognized by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). Her training style is structured, practical, and grounded in real-world situations, reflecting her many years of personal service in homes and community environments.

 In  2024, Pennie began receiving an increased number of inquiries from parents seeking help with evaluations, IEP processes, school communication, and understanding their rights. Many families, particularly within DPSCD, felt unsure of how to navigate the system effectively. These conversations highlighted the need for clear, informed advocacy support and inspired Pennie to further expand her work. 

 Drawing on more than fourteen years of personal advocacy experience, she provided coaching and guidance to parents, helping them understand their educational rights and how to effectively support their children in school settings.  The increasing demand made it clear that the community needed a strong, knowledgeable voice, and it was during this time that Pennie stepped deeper into formal advocacy work.

 To strengthen her foundation, Pennie completed The Arc@School’s Advocacy Curriculum for Non-Attorney Special Education Advocates, earning a certificate of completion, and also earned a Professional Life Coach Certification through Udemy.  She is also listed as a Parent Instructor with the National Parent Instructor Association in the state of Michigan, expanding her reach and reinforcing the work she had already been doing for years.

Through her advocacy program, CalmStart, Pennie now supports families across Wayne County navigating evaluations, IEP development, compensatory services, communication challenges, and IDEA compliance. 

Her first CalmStart case win of 2025 came in June, when she and the parent filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Special Education. The investigation resulted in corrective action against DPSCD and prompted the school to review similar issues affecting other children. This outcome reinforced the strength of her calm, parent-centered advocacy approach. 

Today, Pennie continues her work as a Special Education Advocate, Licensed Training Provider, Parent Instructor, and Professional Life Coach. She remains committed to empowering families, strengthening care providers, and ensuring that every child receives the support and opportunities they deserve. Her work is grounded in compassion, experience, and a deep understanding of what families face behind the scenes—making her a trusted guide for parents and professionals navigating complex support systems.