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Leap Ahead Professional Autism Services

Leap Ahead Professional Team

Leap Ahead’s Professional Team includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and Speech/Language Pathologists (SLPs). Our staff has expertise in working with varied functioning levels of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as other related disorders.

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Please contact us to learn more about employment opportunities.

Leap Ahead Inc programs

Talisha A. Sachlis M.S., BCBA, LBA 

Executive Director, Founder

 

Talisha graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology from George Mason University and received her Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She completed her Applied Behavior Analysis coursework through George Mason University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She began her career as a Behavior Therapist for Fairfax County Public Schools in 1998. After one year, Talisha was promoted to a supervising teacher for the ABA Pilot Program. She was responsible for supervision and implementation of in-home and school setting ABA services for children diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite the numerous efforts by the parents, the Pilot Program ended. Talisha opened Leap Ahead, Inc. in 2002. She served as a Board Member from 2014-2015 for the Autism Society of Northern Virginia and was the Chair for the Education and Support Committee.

BCBAs and BCaBAs
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MistyAnn Harris

MistyAnn Harris

M.ED., BCBA, LBA

Case Manager,

Clinical Director, Feeding Clinic Director

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Joseph Clem

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Case Manager,

Quality Assurance Coordinator,

​ Certified Behavioral Sleep Specialist (CBSS)

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Olivia Caro

Olivia Caro

BIS, BCaBA, LABA

Case Manager

Dezira Dewhurst

Dezira Dewhurst

B.S., BCaBA, LBA

Assistant Case Manager,

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

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Sherry Csutoros

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Case Manager,

Ethical Coordinator

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Tiffany Polifko

M.T., BCBA, LBA

IEP Advocate,

Ethical Coordinator, 

ABA Clinical Supervisor

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Andrea Taliaferro

M.S., BCBA, LBA

Case Manager

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Elizabeth Schabinger

M.Ed., BCBA, LBA

Case Manager,

Mentorship Coordinator,

RBT Coordinator

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Kristie Adams

MA, BCBA, LBA

Transition Coach,

Case Manager

RBTs
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Azeb Adere

B.S., Senior RBT

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Denise Patricia Romero

RBT, Spanish Translator

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Nicole Rattigan

M.Ed., RBT

Ericka Trujillo

Ericka Trujillo

RBT

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Khendra Jones

BT

Daniel Ferguson, BT

Daniel Ferguson

B.A., RBT

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Erika Escobar

A.S., RBT

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Tykiera Nelson

B.S., RBT

Sylvester Narh

Sylvester Narh

RBT

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Ava Langer

RBT

Nuvia Garcia Vijil, RBT

Nuvia Garcia Vijil

RBT, Spanish Translator

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Tiffany Robinson

B.A., RBT

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Erica Williams

B.A, RBT

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Reem Elsaftawy

RBT, Arabic Translator 

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Dale Kabundji

AA, BT

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Lauren Rogers

B.A., RBT

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Katy Coffman

B.A., RBT

Mitch Taylor

Mitch Taylor

RBT Coach

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Brittany Wiggins

BT

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Suhier Mohammed

MBA, RBT

Amharic, Tigrinya & Arabic Translator

Speech Language Pathologist
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Leap Ahead Inc programs

Bethany Rubinstein

M.S., CCC-SLP

Specializes in AAC Devices & Communication Partner Training​

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  • Speciality: Early Intervention, Grammar Foundational Receptive & Expressive Language Skills, Articulation, AAC Device & Caregiver Training

  • Specializes in Age Group - 2 -16 years of age

  • Place of Service: Clinic and Telehealth

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*Trains Speech and Language students from George Washington University.

Leap Ahead Inc programs

Emma Metzler

MA, Speech & Language Pathologist

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  • Speciality: Grammar, Pragmatics, Abstract Language, Conversational Language

  • Specializes in Age Group - 9 years old to Early Adulthood

  • Place of Service: Only Telehealth

Administration Team
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Melina Campbell

Clinical Administrator

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Katie Loving

Operations Manager

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