Our Team
Denise Freeman DeCandia / BCABA
Denise discovered her passion for working with children with Autism when hired as a lead therapist for several programs in Albany, NY. She moved to NC in 1997 where she took a management position which allowed her to create and manage functional language programs for children statewide. In 2003 she joined the Board of Directors at The Mariposa School for Children with Autism. She spent the next 4-years as Program Director of the school where she created and managed on-site programming, consulted with school districts/families across the country, and conducted on going seminars for parents and professionals. In 2006 Denise handed over the reigns' to the well-trained staff at The Mariposa School and sought to open a consulting company for children who were better served by clinic-based and home-based programs. Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment was formed and a team of highly respected Consultants/ Trainers joined the team shortly after its conception. Her mission is to serve those children/families that need the services the most. She enrolled Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment as a Tricare/ECHO provider, allowing military families to receive services at little to no cost to them. She is an advocate for affordable services and works diligently in the efforts to secure coverage for services through private insurance. She is dedicated to providing intense, individualized, quality services and looks forward to many more years of serving the Autism community.
Consultants:
Monique is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri with a BS in Early Childhood Special Education. Monique began working with children with Autism and related disorders in 1999 doing in home and school programs, first as a tutor and then in 2003 as a consultant under the supervision of a BCBA. Monique completed her BCaBA coursework from FIT and is now a board certified consultant for Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment.
Brenn graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Speech and Hearing Sciences. She completed her BCABA course work with the University of North Texas. Brenn has been working in the Applied Behavior Analysis field since October 2003 when she joined The Mariposa School for children with Autism. She held several positions at Mariposa: one on one therapist, lead instructor, assistant program director, and program director. Brenn joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in July of 2007.
Katrina Johnson, MS, BCBA, LPA
Katrina Johnson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a North Carolina Licensed Psychological Associate. Katrina graduated from Elon University in 2004 with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Human Services. In 2008, she obtained her master's degree in Child Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from East Carolina University and became licensed as an LPA. As a graduate student, Katrina presented research at numerous conferences in Florida and North Carolina and served as the student representative for NCABA in 2006. Following graduation, she worked as a behavior specialist at the May Institute in Georgia and became certified as a BCBA in 2010. Since 2003, Katrina has had experience working in group homes, in-home programs, schools, community and parent workshops, and clinics where she conducted psychological and educational assessments, as well as provided therapy for children and adolescents with Autism, ADHD, behavioral problems, and Learning Disabilities.
Leigh Mahan, BCABA; Clinic Supervisor, Charlotte
Leigh is a graduate of Anderson University with a BS in Biology and a double minor in Psychology and Chemistry. Leigh began working with children with Autism in June 2002 within home ABA/VB program settings. After graduation, Leigh joined the staff at the Mariposa School. She served the school as an Instructor I, Instructor II, and Lead Instructor. Leigh completed her coursework for her BCABA via the University of North Texas and received her certification in March 2007. She joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in June 2007.
Ashley graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2008 with a BS in Psychology. She is originally from Dallas, Texas but moved to North Carolina after high school to go to UNC-Asheville. Ashley began working with children with Autism in 2004 when one of her relatives was diagnosed. She worked in in-home programs for two years and spent a summer working at Camp Royall, a TEACCH based summer camp for people with ASD. She moved back to Dallas in 2006 and began working at a verbal behavior and applied behavior based center for children with autism. There she learned the importance of mand training and taught children to speak using vocals, sign language, and selection based communication systems. Ashley completed her coursework for the BCABA examination through Florida Institute of Technology and was certified as an assistant behavior analyst in August, 2009. She has been working with Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment since March, 2009.
Betsy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Psychological Associate, with accreditations obtained in December 2003 and July 2004, respectively. In 1998, Betsy earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In 2003, under the Direction of James M. Johnston, she earned a M.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis in Developmental Disabilities from Auburn University. Post-graduate, Betsy returned to North Carolina and started as a Staff Psychologist at Murdoch Developmental Center. Since that time, Betsy has primarily worked as the Staff Psychologist for the STARS (Specialized Treatment for Adolescents in a Residential Setting) and BART (Behaviorally Advanced Residential Treatment) programs at Murdoch, serving individuals statewide that have developmental disabilities and who demonstrate extreme and dangerous forms of aberrant behavior. Betsy has experience with intellectual and adaptive assessment, design of behavioral techniques, monitoring of behavior intervention plans and client behavior, staff training, and overall program consultation. Betsy joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in July 2009 and provides oversight of behavior programming, as well as supervises the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts.
Callie Plattner, MS, BCBA, LPA
Calandra "Callie" Plattner is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Psychological Associate with accreditation obtained in March 2008 and November 2008 respectively. Callie obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Elon University in 2006. She then went on to complete her master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Developmental Disabilities from Auburn University in 2007. While obtaining her master's degree, Callie worked as a Behavior Analyst for East Alabama Mental Health/Mental Retardation. Post-graduate, she returned to North Carolina and has worked as the Staff Psychologist for the PATH (Partners in Autism Treatment and Habilitation) program at Murdoch Developmental Center. Overall, she has worked in multiple settings including school consultation, 1:1 in-home therapy, group homes, workshop training for staff and parents, as well as presenting research at a number of professional conferences. Callie joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in 2009 and provides oversight of behavior programming as well as supervises the Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysis. Callie is also on the board of the North Carolina Association of Behavior Analysts.
Kim is a graduate of the University of Montana/Bozeman with a B.S. in Film and Television Production. She worked in the Montana public school system for two years assisting with the implementation of speech and language services to children between the ages of 3-21 and with a broad range of disabilities including Aspergers, Down Syndrome, and Autism. As a military wife, Kim was transferred with her husband to southern California and continued to work in the public school system. She had the opportunity to spend three years assisting in an Autism specific-ABA infused grade school classroom. Now in North Carolina, Kim is working to complete her BCABA coursework through Penn State University and has joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in January of 2009. In the Spring of 2011 Kim became a BCaBA consultant with the Carolina Center for ABA.
Katie Cole Strathmann, MSW, BCBA
Katie Cole Strathmann is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2003. She has been board certified since August of 2007. Katie began her career in ABA working as a 1:1 Therapist on an ABA team for children with Autism in Pennsylvania. After earning her Masters in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, Katie began her Behavior Analysis coursework at The University of North Texas and worked alongside several Board Certified Behavior Analysts developing ABA programs for children with Autism. Katie worked as a consultant for children with Autism in Pennsylvania for 1 year before relocating to North Carolina, to work at The Mariposa School. At Mariposa, Katie worked as a 1:1 Instructor and then as a Program Director, for 3 years, designing and implementing programs with a strong Verbal Behavior component. She has since joined the team at Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment and continues to develop and implement ABA programs within a framework of Verbal Behavior.
Kimberly Tyler. BCABA; Clinic Supervisor, Cary
Kim is a graduate of the University of North Carolina with a double major in Psychology and Recreation and Leisure Studies. She began working with children with Autism in 1998 in a home ABA program. She taught 5 and 6th grade special education in a public middle school for a year before joining the staff at the Mariposa School as a therapist in 2003 where she practiced Verbal Behavior. She worked as an instructor, assistant program director, and later as a program director in the 3 years employed at the Mariposa School. In December of 2005, she finished her coursework for the BCABA program through The University of North Texas and became certified in March of 2006. She has been with Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment ever since.
Kyle graduated from Penn State University in 2007 with a BS in Elementary Education. He completed his BCABA coursework via the Florida Institute of Technology and recieved his certification in the spring of 2011. Kyle first began working with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2007 as a Therapeutic Staff worker in Pennsylvania school-based settings. In 2008, Kyle moved to North Carolina and worked as a 1:1 therapist at the Mariposa School for Children with Autism and at A Small Miracle as a habilitation technician. Kyle joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in January of 2010.
Beth Gartland is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from Otterbein College in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in English, Creative Writing. In 2009 she obtained her masters degree in Special Education/ABA from The Ohio State University. Beth has presented research at conferences in numerous states, including California, Washington, D.C. and Texas on topics such as rumination, vocal stereotypy and acquisition of social skills. Following graduation, Beth worked as a behavior analyst for the May Institute in Georgia and later in Massachusetts. She then moved on to the position of Coordinator for the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative at the May Institute’s corporate office. Since 2000, Beth has gained experience working as an instructor and consultant in home programs for Children with Autism, running social skills groups, as a shadow in a pre-school classroom, supervising and coordinating clinic based programs in Ohio, and in community based programs. She has provided therapy for children age 2 through 21 and has worked with individuals with Autism, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities. She has experience utilizing Discrete Trial Instruction, Direct Instruction, Intensive Teaching and Natural Environment Training.
Natalia Acosta Krum is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst with years of experience working with children with severe problematic behaviors, Autism Spectrum Disorder and related language and developmental delays. Natalia began her career in 2005 working as a 1:1 therapist and then as program coordinator for a company based in Florida. Natalia relocated to Charlotte in 2008, and joined SteppingStones Counseling and Consulting, where she served 3 years as a consultant and program coordinator. Natalia received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Florida Atlantic University, and was recipient of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science University Scholar in 2007. She completed her BcaBA coursework via the Florida Institute of Technology, under the direction of professor Dr. Jose Martinez Diaz, and received BCaBA certification in 2009. Natalia conducts parent workshops on academic motivation, behavior management and positive reinforcement strategies at select Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools. Natalia currently serves as a board member of the North Carolina Association of Behavior Analysis (NC-ABA). She joined the team at the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment in May, 2011.
Ashley Baker is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since November 2006. She became board certified in 2009. She graduated from Florida State University with a Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. At the beginning of her career she began working as a 1:1 therapist for an in-home ABA program. During her graduate practicum, Ashley worked in public schools and in-home programs where she provided school consultation and 1:1 therapy for children with ADHA, Autism, behavior programs and Learning Disabilities. After graduation, Ashley joined the Mariposa School where she was a social skills instructor and Program Coordinator. She has been with the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment since April 2011.
Natalie B. Jacome, MA, BCBA, LPA
Natalie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA). She obtained a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2000 and 2003, respectively. In 2007, under the guidance of Dr. Carol Pilgrim, she completed her master's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis, at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Natalie has completed extensive research on category formation in school aged children. From 2007 – 2010, she functioned as the lead Behavior Analyst at a neurobehavioral facility for individuals with acquired brain injury. Prior to this, she has provided services across a variety of settings to individuals with mental illness, autism, and other development disabilities with complex behavioral challenges. Natalie recently joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment where she functions as a consultant.
Laura graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2000 with a master’s degree in Social Administration. Laura completed her BCBA coursework with Florida Institute of Technology, and has been in the field of Behavioral Analysis since 2000 when she joined Threshold Center for Autism in Florida. She became BCABA board certified in 2003, and shortly afterwards became BCBA board certified in 2004. Laura has had experience working with both children and adults with ADHD, autism, down syndrome, and other disabilities in schools, homes, group homes, and the community. She has also had experience working with intensive behaviors in residential facilities. In 2009, Laura joined Southern Behavioral Group in Atlanta, GA where she worked with children with developmental disabilities conducting assessments of basic language and learning skills, functional analysis, functional behavior assessments, and designed and implemented behavioral programs. She joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in August 2011.
Stephanie is a graduate of Campbell University with a BS in Psychology. She began working with children with autism and other developmental disabilities in 2002 as an in-home therapist until she joined the staff of the Mariposa School for Children with Autism in 2004. Stephanie worked at the Mariposa School for over 6 years, designing and implementing individualized programs as an Instructor, Lead Instructor, and Program Coordinator. She completed her coursework from the University of North Texas and became a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst in May 2011. Stephanie joined the Carolina Center for ABA in February 2011.
Tutors:
Sara graduated from Elon University in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. She began working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Mariposa school in April of 2008. At the Mariposa School she provided one-on-one instruction focusing on the principals of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior strategies for two years. Sara became part of Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in July of 2008. She is currently pursuing her BCaBA from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Masters degree in Speech Pathology at Eastern Carolina University.
Ashley ChastainAshley graduated in 2007 from Elon with a BA in Special Education and Elementary Education. While working as a CAPP worked for children with Down Syndrome she had the opportunity to observe ABA therapy sessions and became interested in ABA. She has also worked as a first grade teacher and as a fourth grade teacher in an inclusion classroom. In 2010 she became a tutor for children with autism and came on board with Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment. She is working towards a Masters in Education which she will receive in May of 2011. Ashley will also complete her BCBA requirements from Penn State in December 2011.
Suzanne received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Smith College in 2006. It was there that she first began working directly with children with autism however she had been working in early childhood education since high school. After graduating she came back to North Carolina and started working at The Mariposa School for Children with Autism where she also began course work to become board certified. After leaving Mariposa she worked privately as a Verbal Behavior therapist while also working to get a dual master's degree in Social Work and in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was through her master's program that she came to Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment initially to meet the field practicum requirements for her degree and now as a full-time tutor. She is currently finishing her BCBA coursework through the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and expects to sit for her board exam in the Winter of 2011.
Mackenzie Eckard is currently seeking her undergraduate degree at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She graduated in May 2011. She is pursuing a degree in Psychology with a Concentration in Clinical Counseling and a Minor in Art. She has been doing ABA privately contracted since August 2009. She plans to get a Master's degree when she graduates and begin her BCBA coursework. She joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in August 2010.
Christina Erben is a graduate of Methodist University in North Carolina with a Bachelor's in Mass Communication and a Minor in Art. Prior to working with Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment she has worked with The Autism Society of North Carolina, Easter seals, The Arc of Cumberland County, and Team Daniel to provide Developmental Therapy and CAP Services. She has been employed at Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment since September 2009. She will be enrolling in Graduate School in the Spring of 2011. She is currently enrolled at the Florida Institute of Technology to complete BCaBA coursework and will begin BCBA courseowork after enrolling in Graduate School. Christina is planning on taking the BCBA qualifying exam in 2012.
Heather Faber is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor's in biology with a minor in psychology. After graduating in 2005, she worked as a mental health case manager implementing person centered plans with adult and adolescent clients. In 2007 she enrolled full time in the Master's of Social Work (Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse) program at Fayetteville State University. At this time she began to work with children with autism at The Autism Society of North Carolina. She assisted children in learning functional language, socialization, and life skills allowing them to become more independent. In May of 2009, Heather graduated with a Master's in Social Work.. She is currently continuing her education at The University of North Texas, where she is completing BCBA coursework. Heather plans to take the BCBA exam in May 2011. Heather has been employed at Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment since January 2009.
Sharonda is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a major in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She began working with individuals on the ASD Spectrum in 2000 as a 1:1 at the Autism Society of North Carolina. She supported adults and children in developing functional language, socialization, and life skills. Since then, she has held positions within the organization as a Community Services Supervisor and Community Services Coordinator in which she developed, coordinated, and implemented person centered plans. Sharonda graduated from Webster University in 2008 with a MA in Mental Health Counseling and will be working on obtaining her LPC. In the fall of 2009 she will begin her coursework to obtain her BCBA through Penn State University. Sharonda joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in June 2009.
Rachael attended the University of NY at Oswego for her undergraduate work in Secondary Education. She moved to NC in 2003 and began educating herself in ABA/Verbal Behavior. She took a position where she was an ABA tutor for children with Autism, working under the direction of an ABA Consultant. She joined the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in January of 2008 and plans to sit for her boards in September of 2011.
Melissa graduated summa cum laude from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and became part of the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment team in August 2010. In addition to working with children on the autism spectrum, Melissa is the mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome. She is also a fluent Spanish speaker.
Felecia graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with double major in Psychology and African American Studies. She has also completed her coursework for certification in Special Education General Curriculum K-12. She has worked with individuals with autism since 2001. Her career started in group homes in which she facilitated development of social, life, and vocational skills. She has also worked with children with Autism in the school setting, as well as, Maripos. in a summer program focusing on social skills.
Amy graduated from Penn State University in 2003 with a B.S. degree in Psychology and Anthropology. She began working with children with Autism and other disabilities during her time at Penn State and have been ever since. She moved to North Carolina in 2004 to begin working at the Mariposa School for Children with Autism. While at the Mariposa School, She was an Instructor I and an Instructor II. She has finished her coursework for her BCABA which was completed through the University of North Texas. Amy began working with the team at Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment in August of 2009.
Anthony "AJ" DeCandia graduated from Campbell University in 2005 with a BS in Educational Studies. Anthony began working with Children with Autism in 2004 at A Small Miracle. Anthony continued through 2008 when he became a teacher in an inclusion classroom through 2010. Teaching Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade, Anthony worked with a mainstream classroom as well as children with special needs including ADHD and Autism. Anthony began working for Creative Consultants in 2011 and will complete his coursework in 2012.
Katherine “Kat” Diedrich graduated Summa cum Laude with honors from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May of 2008. Following graduation she began coursework at UNC Wilmington to complete a Master of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis which was granted in May of 2011. As part of her coursework she completed an intensive practicum in group homes and a vocational setting as well as a 1,000 hour supervised clinical internship at The Mariposa School. There she worked as a social skills instructor, a 1:1 instructor on programs with an emphasis on Verbal Behavior, and had opportunities to assist in programmatic decisions. She has presented research at multiple professional conferences, and she has been awarded by UNC Wilmington for her interest in applied research, a research proposal, and her service to the Psychology Department. Kat has been working as a 1:1 tutor for The Carolina Center for ABA since March of 2011, and she will be sitting for the certification and licensing exams to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Psychological Associate this year.
In 2004 Keri began working with adults with autism and other developmental disabilities in a residential facility. Keri graduated from Suffolk County Community College in 2006 with an associate’s degree in American Sign Language Studies. Upon relocating to North Carolina in 2007, Keri completed her bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Peace College majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Psychology. During her studies at Peace College, Keri worked as a CAPP worker. After graduating, she began working as an instructor at the Mariposa School for Children with Autism. Keri provided one on one direct instruction utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. In Fall 2010, she began working towards her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Autism and will receive her master’s degree in December 2011. The requirements for her master’s degree meet the BCBA requirements and she will sit for the BCBA exam in Spring 2012. She began working with Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment in Summer 2011.
Emily received her undergraduate degree in Child Psychology from Hollins University in 2009. After graduating, she then pursued her Master’s in Teaching degree from North Carolina State University, concentrating in Special Education. Through her degree, she became a certified Special Education teacher in the state of North Carolina. While completing her Master’s degree, Emily worked as an Instructor at the Mariposa School for Children with Autism. Emily is working toward her BCBA requirements through the Florida Institute of Technology.
Front Office:
Rosanne relocated from Long Island, NY in 2007. She came to NC to join her four daughters, and her wonderful grandson. Since relocating to NC she has welcomed two more grandsons into her family. She has been the Office Manager for more than a year now, and is very excited to be a part of the team. She loves the atmosphere at the Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment Clinic, and adores all the children and families that she has contact with. Her role allows her to support all Carolina Center for ABA and Autism Treatment staff and the families in which they serve.
Lauren is a graduate from Appalachian State University with a degree in Spanish Education. She began working at the Carolina Center in May 2011 and immediately fell in love with the people and atmosphere. Since her start here she has become more and more interested in learning about ABA and Autism treatment, and thoroughly enjoys meeting the children and families that we interact with.
