About the Clinical Staff

	DIRECTORS
	CLINICAL STAFF
	PROGRAM SUPPORT

Brigitte Elder Ph.D. is a Clinical Supervisor and Coordinator of Recruitment and Training in Sacramento. Dr. Elder received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from UCLA While an undergraduate, she worked at the UCLA autism clinic under the direction of Dr. Ivar Lovaas and Dr. Jacquie Wynn. After completing her undergraduate degree, Ms. Elder continued her intensive early intervention with children with autism spectrum disorders. From 1994-1998 she continued to be supervised by Dr. Lovaas and his colleagues while she was a consultant to children’s intensive early intervention programs throughout the Bay Area and throughout the United States. She received her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Developmental Psychology from University of California, Davis. While at UC Davis she has worked primarily with Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn. Her dissertation extends the work of these two nationally known researchers whose work is summarized in the book Baby Signs.

Cynthia Owens, M.S., BCBA is a Clinical Supervisor. Ms. Owens received her undergraduate and Masters degrees in Psychology (with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis) from California State University, Stanislaus. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. As part of her graduate training, Ms. Owens completed practica at the Stanislaus County Infant Referral Program and the CSU Stanislaus Center for Direct Instruction. Her thesis project focused upon the long term effects of academic delays, especially difficulties in reading. Prior to joining Therapeutic Pathways clinical staff, Ms. Owens provided behavior intervention services to children and adults with developmental disabilities through Valley Mountain Regional Center.

Melanie Machado, M.S., BCBA is a Clinical Supervisor and received her B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University and her M.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from California State University, Stanislaus. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Prior to joining Therapeutic Pathways, she provided behavior intervention services to regional center clients and their families. Ms. Machado brings with her a range of clinical experiences in addition to work with children with developmental disabilities. Ms. Machado has experience working with young children with specific learning disabilities as well as adolescents with severe emotional disturbances. Ms. Machado is a past Coordinator for the Center for Direct Instruction at California State University, Stanislaus, where she played a critical role in teacher training.

Karlie Best, B.A., completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at California State University, Stanislaus. While an undergraduate, Ms. Best took classes in behavior analysis and teaching children with exceptional needs. Ms. Best had more than 5,000 hours of experience with more than 30 children, aged 2 to 8 years, with autism spectrum disorders. Her areas of specializing include working with parents to develop programs to complement work done in program.

Shannon Bianchi-Brackett, B.A. received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Clinical Psychology from Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts in 1999. She is currently enrolled in the Masters Program in Psychology (Behavior Analysis) at California State University, Stanislaus. Since her graduation Ms. Brackett has been employed at Therapeutic Pathways. In addition, she has also worked as a research assistant on a longitudinal study of young children with autism. Ms. Bianchi-Brackett has more than 5,000 hours of experience in providing direct treatment to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Bridget Deneau, B.A., received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Pacific. Ms. Deneau first began working with individuals with special needs through Special Olympic. Later, she furthered her experience during a practicum at Stockton Developmental Center by working with adults with severe developmental disabilities. While completing her degree, Ms. Deneau was employed by Applied Behavior Consultants for more than two years: first as a tutor for in-home programs and later as a consultant to school programs. Ms. Deneau was employed by San Joaquin County as a teacher for preschool and elementary school students with pervasive developmental disorders. Ms. Deneau joined the Therapeutic Pathways staff as a Clinical Assistant having already accumulated almost 10,000 hours of direct teaching experience and supervision of children with autism spectrum disorders.

Christina DiGrande, B.A., received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of the Pacific. Upon her graduation she was employed by FACES (Foundation for Autistic Children and Educational Services) to provide intensive treatment to young children with autism spectrum disorder in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is currently enrolled in the MS Psychology program in Applied Behavior Analysis at California State University, Stanislaus. Ms. DiGrande has more than 4,500 hours of experience providing behavioral intervention to young children with autism and related disorders. In addition, to providing clinical supervision as a Clinical Assistant, Ms. DiGrande is also the Coordinator for Staff Development and oversees recruitment and training for Therapeutic Pathways and The Kendall School in Sacramento, Tracy, and Modesto.

Jenny Fischer, B.A., BCABA received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. While at Whitman, Ms. Fischer began working in intensive in-home programs for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Upon graduation she was employed in a residential facility for children with significant emotional and behavioral difficulties. However, Ms. Fischer’s interest in working with children with autism remained strong and she resumed her work with children with autism. While an independent lead tutor for multiple in-home programs, Ms. Fischer also completed the coursework and mentorship experience required to sit for the Associate Behavior Analyst Certification Exam (BCABA). Ms. Fischer was the recipient of an Oregon F.E.A.T. scholarship to support these continuing education activities. In exchange, Ms. Fischer made numerous presentations to families and staff throughout Oregon on the application of behavior principles and Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior to intervention programs for children with autism. Ms. Fischer has in excess of 3500 hours of experience providing direct intervention to children with autism, ranging in age from 2 to 12 years of age.

Lindsey Osborn, B.A., received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from University of New Hampshire. Prior to joining Therapeutic Pathways/The Kendall School, she was a Teacher/Case Manager at The New England Center for Children. Ms. Osborn has more than 3 years experience working in experimental and applied settings involving the techniques of Behavior Analysis.

Kelly Quah Hooi Lyn, B.S., received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. She also received her second major in Broadcasting and Cable Production from the department of Communication. While an undergraduate, she worked as a Behavior Technician in the Pre-Primary Impaired classroom at Croyden Avenue School in Michigan where she received her formal training in Applied Behavior Analysis under Dr. Richard Malott. During her training, she has worked with autistic children range from two to six years of age. Back in Michigan, Kelly also worked as a Research Assistant in Dr. Linda Leblanc’s Clinic. She assisted in a research project with the emphasis on play, free operant as well as preference assessments among autistic children with siblings.

Bryan Johnson, B.S., received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Carroll College in Wisconsin. While still an undergraduate, he was a Lead Therapist in Dr. Glenn Sallow's Wisconsin Early Autism Project, a part of the UCLA multi-site Lovaas replication study. After graduation, he became a Senior Therapist and supervised the programs and staff for a range of children with autism spectrum disorders. While in Wisconsin, he helped facilitate the establishment of an annual track fundraiser for children with autism, Dylan's Run/Walk. Mr. Johnson has more than 3,000 hours of experience providing supervision and direct behavior intervention to young children with autism spectrum disorders.

Monica Ramos, B.A., completed her undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies (Emphasis in Exceptional Children and Youth) at California State University, Stanislaus. Ms. Ramos has more than 5 years experience and more than 4000 hours providing direct intervention and supervision of intensive behavior analytic treatment programs to young children with autism spectrum disorders.

Tina Sutyak, B.A., BCABA, received her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Northridge. She is also a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst. Ms. Sutyak first began working with children with special needs as a home tutor, providing direct, behavioral and language services with an emphasis in Applied Behavioral Analysis. Later, she served as a special education teacher for a school district in Southern California. Upon relocation to Northern California, she furthered her skills by working as a case manager for The Bay School, a school for children with autism as well as a Behavior Specialist for Easter Seals of Central California. Ms. Sutyak has also served as Program Manager for Northwest Behavioral Associates, an agency that provides intensive in-home treatment to children with autism. Ms. Sutyak is also a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysis (BCABA).