Adult & Seniors
Adult & Seniors
MEET OUR TEAM
All staff members at LCF Kids have at least a four year degree in a related field and experience working with children with special needs. All staff members are qualified, vetted and trained as an Adaptive Fitness Specialist
Meet our team of dedicated professionals.
Ricardo A. Cunningham
Founder/ CEO
The founder and instructor, Ricardo Cunningham, is a graduate of George Mason University, with over 15 years of experience working with children of all ages and developmental levels. He is also the author of three books: Adaptive Sports Fundamentals, Adaptive Fitness and Gross Motor Development and How to Ride a Bike in 24-Hours. Ricardo has a M.B.A ins Business Administration, a B.S. degree in Health Fitness and Recreation Resources and an A.S. degree in Physical Education. Ricardo is a fitness educator, working with several schools in the Northern Virginia area to promote the importance of health and fitness amongst all children. He has worked with schools to create programs to integrate neurotypical and special needs children, where both demographics can work together to achieve a common goal.
He is the nephew to an aunt, one year his senior, who has Down Syndrome. And at a very young age Ricardo started assisting his aunt with her motor skills and helping her in physical activities and sport skills, so she would be more confident and feel included. His experience with his aunt drives his passion to help all children develop their athletic ability. Ricardo's vision is to create a safe environment where children of all ages can exercise and have fun at the same time.
Over the past 16 years, Ricardo has impacted the lives of many children with disabilities. He has a special gift of connecting with children with disabilities and helping them to develop their gross motor skills. Ricardo’s patience and knowledge has helped him to assist children that are physically disabled to walk; he has taught hundreds of children to ride their bikes; he has helped children that are overweight to lose weight and enjoy exercising; he has taught his students' team work and helped them to build their social skills through movement and sports.
Ricardo has also been a mentor to several college students by offering them internship opportunities at LCF. He states that “There is a great need for more people with the necessary skills, compassion, and patience for working with children with special needs; and if I am able to help mold someone into their purpose in life I am more than happy to help”.
Judy Morales
Program Supervisor – Therapeutic Exercise & Community Support
Judy Morales is a graduate of Marymount University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences with an emphasis in Health Promotion. She began her journey with LCF Kids by completing a semester-long internship focused on adaptive fitness, working directly alongside founder and CEO Ricardo Cunningham. During that time, Judy received extensive one-on-one training and hands-on experience in adaptive fitness, motor development, and individualized instruction.
After completing her internship, Judy officially joined the LCF Kids team and has continued to grow into a leadership role within the organization. She is now in her 11th year of adaptive fitness coaching, working with children and young adults.
Judy currently serves as Program Supervisor – Adaptive Fitness & Community Support, providing leadership across both LCF Kids and the LCF Young Adults Program. In this role, she helps oversee adaptive fitness programming, staff support, community-based activities, and individualized services for participants with a wide range of developmental, physical, and behavioral needs.
Judy’s passion for working with children began during her high school years. She volunteered in a fifth-grade classroom at a local elementary school, where she supported typically developing students, and also volunteered at school events at Kenmore Middle School, where she had opportunities to work with children with special needs. These early experiences helped shape her commitment to helping children and young adults build confidence, develop meaningful skills, and reach their personal goals.
At LCF Kids, Judy works with participants on adaptive fitness, gross motor development, coordination, balance, strength, motor planning, sports skills, and overall physical confidence. She understands the importance of meeting each child at their individual ability level and creating structured, positive, and engaging opportunities for growth.
Through the LCF Young Adults Program, Judy also supports participants with community integration, life skills, social development, health and fitness, vocational readiness, and greater independence. Her experience working with individuals across a broad age range gives her a strong understanding of how skills developed during childhood can continue to support success into young adulthood.
Judy is known for her patience, consistency, leadership, and ability to connect with the individuals she serves. She is deeply committed to helping participants gain confidence, develop life-changing skills, improve their health and fitness, and become more independent.
Judy continues to play an important role in the growth of both LCF Kids and the LCF Young Adults Program and looks forward to continuing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children, young adults, and families LCF serves.
Amoy Thomas
Therapeutic Exercise & Direct Support Specialist
Amoy Thomas is an experienced and highly valued member of the LCF team, bringing more than four years of hands-on experience supporting children and young adults with a wide range of developmental, behavioral, and physical needs.
At LCF, Amoy serves in a dual role as an Adaptive Fitness Specialist with LCF Kids and a Direct Support Specialist with the LCF Young Adults Program. Her ability to work effectively across different age groups allows her to support individuals throughout multiple stages of development, from building early motor and social skills to strengthening independence, confidence, and life-readiness skills in young adulthood.
As a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Amoy brings a strong understanding of behavioral support to every session. She uses a calm, structured, and individualized approach to help participants improve communication, emotional regulation, attention, independence, and confidence. Her ability to establish trust and create a supportive environment allows participants to feel comfortable while still being challenged to grow.
At LCF Kids, Amoy works with participants on adaptive fitness, gross motor development, coordination, balance, strength, motor planning, sports skills, behavior support, and overall physical confidence. She brings a structured and individualized approach to each session, meeting participants at their current ability level while helping them build new skills, confidence, independence, and a positive relationship with movement and physical activity.
Through the LCF Young Adults Program, Amoy provides direct support to participants as they develop greater independence through community integration, life skills, social development, health and fitness, vocational readiness, and real-world experiences. Her background in adaptive fitness and behavioral support allows her to help young adults strengthen not only their physical abilities, but also the communication, decision-making, social, and independent living skills needed for greater success in adulthood.
One of Amoy’s greatest strengths is her experience providing individualized one-on-one instruction. She has worked extensively with children and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, adapting activities and teaching strategies to meet each participant’s specific abilities and needs. Her approach emphasizes consistency, encouragement, and steady progression toward meaningful functional goals.