High School Senior’s Innovation Helps CTC Students Stay Connected

Fair Lawn, NJ — [November 2025] — High School Senior and aspiring engineer, Ben Gulleyan—son of CTC Academy Teacher, Louise Gulleyan—visited our Fair Lawn Campus last year with an eye toward creating a project that could support CTC students with communication.

During his visit, Ben observed that students often had difficulty using their communication devices while exercising, especially on equipment like the trampoline where iPads or other devices were not easily accessible. Inspired to find a solution, Ben used a computer-aided design program called Onshape to engineer a device that securely holds a communication device at eye level for students on the trampoline.

Throughout the process, Ben was guided by CTC Therapist and Assistive Technology Professional, Diane Callari, MA, CCC-SLP, ATP, who served as his advisor. “Ben is so enthusiastic, and creative. At CTC Academy, we have many students with complex communication needs that use a variety of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. They come in different sized cases. Ben created a mount for the trampoline in our OT/PT gym. It can be adjusted to the size of each of these AAC devices. Our students will now have access to AAC while working on their physical therapy goals. Thank you so much, Ben.”

As Ben prepares to study engineering in college—we wish him the very best and are so grateful for the creativity, care, and innovation he has shared with the CTC community!

CTC Academy is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that provides educational and therapeutic services for students with a diverse array of developmental disabilities through our collaborative educational program and support services for students and families.

We first opened our doors as the Cerebral Palsy Center of Bergen County, NJ, on March 29, 1950. We began as a Center for children with Cerebral Palsy but over the past 70 years we have evolved into an innovative education institution that provides creative education and advanced therapies to students with many different types of disabilities – students who face physical, medical and developmental challenges.

Now we offer two schools and follow the school continuum from Preschool through age 21 as well as Early Enrichment for children ages 18 months through 3 years. Our Fair Lawn Campus serves students 18 months through 7 years of age. The Oakland Campus serves students 7 through 21 years of age.

Our Mission: Enhancing the lives of children and young adults with special needs, and their families, by providing an enriched educational, therapeutic and supportive environment. Our Vision: Fulfilling the potential of all people with special needs.

To support The CTC Academy and our mission, visit us at ctcacademy.org Now enrolling! For more information contact CTC at (201) 797-7440 or (201) 612-5677