Meet Our Staff

Parviz Youssefi, Ph.D., Ed

He is an education specialist with more than 30 years experience in re-patterning children with developmental/neurological disorders, hyperactivity and learning disabilities. Currently, Dr. Youssefi is pursuing the field of pediatric Autism diagnosis and treatment. Along with his wife Shirin, Dr. Youssefi is co-owner and President of GMS Institute, Inc., and the Director of the Sensory-Motor Integration Program. The gym’s name GMS is symbolic for Gymnastics, Movement Education, and Sensory-Motor Integration. Dr. Youssefi is currently a member of the interdisciplinary council of learning disorders, headed by distinguished child development experts. He has authored several books on the developmental process and motor perceptual integration. His most current publication can be found in the ICDL guidelines for therapists. His chapter titled: Defines the sensory-motor integration methodology and uniqueness.

Dr. Youssefi received his Master's Degree and Ed. D in Special Education and Sensory Motor Integration from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He has also taught various graduate courses such as Motor Development and Movement Education, Perceptual Motor Problems and Diagnosis and Treatment at George Washington University.

Shirin Youssefi

Mrs. Youssefi MA. Ed. is the SMI Vice-President and Program Coordinator. She was born into an athletic family of divers and gymnasts and has been a lifeguard from age 14. She is co-owner GMS Institute. She holds a Master’s degree in movement education from George Washington University (GWU) and also pursued Post-Masters as an education specialist at GWU. Mrs. Youssefi has taught gymnastics for 25 years and is safety certified. She has served as an international judge.

Arousha Youssefi-Shahin

Arousha is the SMI Administrative Director and has been involved in the GMS Sensory-Motor Integration Program since 1995. She has earned her Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology, and is currently working towards her doctoral degree in developmental psychology. She is a trained Interactive Metronome® Provider and is presently administering IM to children in the Washington Metropolitan area. Arousha is also a board member of the DDR (developmental delay resources). She has 18 years of movement experience including competitive ice skating, tae kwon do, and of course, gymnastics. Arousha has earned many titles during her competitive gymnastics years including; northern district champion 1990, 1991, VA state floor exercise champion 1989-1991, eastern regional champion 1990, 1991, VA state champion 1991. She is a member of the United States Association of Gymnastics and is a prestigious national training coach currently training children for the state championships. She holds several nationally accredited certifications including the national safety certification, and holds 3 certifications in developmental movement education. She has completed the Sensory-Motor Integration certification course and has a special interest in neuromuscular integration. While employed as a Sensory-Motor Therapist in northern Virginia, she merged her background in exercise science, gymnastics, and developmental psychology to develop a movement program enhancing the learning potential for students experiencing learning blocks. Arousha has been a neuroscience research assistant for 3 years and is hoping to conduct a study of her own examining the effects of SMI training on hippocampal functions.

Kamran Manafi

Mr. Manafi is the SMI Staff Supervisor and works with program consulting, development and implementation. He has been a part of the GMS Sensory Motor Integration staff since 1994. He was a student in the University of Rome, however found his career calling in the U.S. Over the past few years Kamran has become an invaluable asset to the SMI Program. His creativity and dedication radiates through his teaching techniques and good advice. He is currently seeking a Masters Degree in the area of Special Education and Motor Development Diagnosis. Kamran is a certified Interactive Metronome ® provider and is currently administering IM to children in the Washington Metropolitan area. Kamran has over 20 years experience in areas of equestrian and movement education. He has completed the Sensory-Motor Integration certification course and is looking to receive a certification in early childhood education from the ICDL. He has attended countless seminars and lectures specifically focused on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Kamran has developed various new techniques to improve self-stimulatory behavior and persevering behavior. His background in Electrical Engineering and his sophisticated craftsmanship allows Kamran to custom design and build devices especially for the GMS, SMI Program. Kamran is safety certified by and is a professional member of the United States Association of Gymnastics.