Christina DiGrande, M.S., received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of the Pacific and her Masters of Science in Psychology (Specialization in Behavior Analysis) from California State University, Stanislaus. Her Masters research included the development and evaluation of a program to help parents of children with autism promote spontaneous language during play with their children. While a student at CSU Stanislaus, Ms. DiGrande also served as the Northern California Student Representative to the California Association for Behavior Analysis. In addition, Ms. DiGrande also provided behavior intervention services to children and adults who wee regional center consumers. In this capacity, she worked directly with individuals and their families to help promote independence, adaptive functioning, and successful integration into the community.

Prior to her work with Therapeutic Pathways, Ms. DiGrande delivered services to children with autism through agencies centered in Stockton and the San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. DiGrande has more than 15,000 hours of experience providing behavioral intervention and case management to young children with autism and related disorders across Modesto, Sacramento and Elk Grove locations.

Brigitte Elder Ph.D. received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from University of California, LA and her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Developmental Psychology at University of California, Davis. While an undergraduate, she worked at the UCLA Clinic for the Behavioral Treatment of Children under the direction of Dr. Ivar Lovaas and Dr. Jacquie Wynn. After completing her undergraduate degree, Ms. Elder continued her involvement by providing consultant services to children with autism spectrum disorders.

From 1994-1998 was supervised by Dr. Lovaas and his colleagues while a consultant to early intervention home-based programs in the Bay Area and throughout the United States. While at University of California, Davis she studied with Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn. Her dissertation extended the work of these two nationally known researchers, whose work is summarized in the book Baby Signs, by examining the relationship between early language acquisition and later educational achievement levels for her doctoral dissertation. She has more than 10,000 hours of experience supervising programs for 25+ children with autism spectrum disorders.

Carrie Ellsworth, M.A. BCBA received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from University of the Pacific and her Masters of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nevada at Reno. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. While an undergraduate she began working as an Instructional Assistant for children diagnosed with autism who were receiving home-based, applied behavior analytic intervention. This experience helped guide Ms. Ellsworth’s decision regarding her pursuit of graduate training in applied behavior analysis. While at the University of Nevada, she gained clinical experience working in the Autism Clinic directed by Pat Ghezzi, Ph.D. She has presented at the California Association for Behavior Analysis.

Brighid Fronapfel, M.S. received her Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno and her Masters of Science degree in Psychology (Specialization in Behavior Analysis) from California State University, Stanislaus. Her Masters thesis focused on the establishment of generalized autoclitic tact responses in young children diagnosed with autism. This is a relatively new area in the research and treatment area of pragmatic language difficulties. Ms. Fronapfel was recognized for this work by the Verbal Behavior Special Interest Group (VB-SIG) of the International Association for Behavior Analysis at its Anual Convention in 2007.

Prior to joining our staff, Ms. Fronapfel provided behavior intervention services to young children diagnosed with autism at the University of Nevada, Reno, under the supervision of Dr. Pat Ghezzi. In addition, Ms. Fronapfel has served as a behavior analyst to regional center consumers with varying referral problems and disabilities. Ms. Fronapfel has made professional presentations at the International Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA), the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA), and the Nevada Association for Behavior Analysis (NABA).

Maureen Hurley, M.S., M.Ed., BCBA received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and her Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern University. In addition, she completed her Masters in Education, with a specialization in Early Childhood Education, from Cambridge College. Ms. Hurley is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

From 1997-2001 she served as the Coordinator and Case Manager for the New England Center for Children (NECC) and worked in their Home-based Early Intervention Program. Ms. Hurley then served as the Applied Behavior Analysis Program Coordinator for the Acton Public Schools Preschool Program in Acton, Massachusetts, where she directed preschool programs for children with autism spectrum disorders. Ms. Hurley has been a presenter at both the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and the International Association for Behavior Analysis.

Cynthia Owens, M.S., BCBA received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Psychology (Behavior Analysis Concentration) at California State University, Stanislaus. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Ms. Owens completed her practica at the Stanislaus County Infant Referral Program and the CSU, Stanislaus Center for Direct Instruction. Her thesis research analyzed the long-term effects of academic delays, especially difficulties in reading. Prior to joining our staff, Ms. Owens provided behavior intervention services to children and adults with developmental disabilities through Valley Mountain Regional Center. Ms. Owens has more than 11,000 hours of experience directing programming for children across a range of skill levels. Ms. Owens has more than 6000 hours directing treatment programs for 15+ children with autism spectrum disorders.

Christen Rae, M.A., BCBA received her Bachelor of Science and Masters of Arts Degree in Psychology from Western Michigan University. Her graduate degree from Western Michigan included a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis with a dual emphasis in Organizational Behavior Management and Autism. Ms. Rae is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

As part of her practica work for both of her degree programs, Ms. Rae worked with children with autism spectrum disorders aged 2-6 years of age under the advisement of Richard W. Malott, Ph. D. Prior to joining our staff, Ms. Rae served as a consultant to both special and general education teachers for cases involving children being mainstreamed into general education classrooms. She also has experiencing developing in-home programs that target academic success in concurrent school settings. Currently, Ms. Rae has provided direct treatment and supervision for more than 25 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

Ms. Rae has presented on organizational management at conferences such as the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan (BAAM), the Mid-American Association for Behavior Analysis (MABA), and the Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Brittany Sheets, M.A. BCBA received her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology and her Masters of Arts in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University. Her Masters program included an emphasis in behavior analytic treatment for Autism Intervention as well as Organizational Behavior Management. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. During her undergraduate and graduate practicum training, Ms. Sheets worked in various positions in a University-affiliated intervention program for children diagnosed with autism between the ages of 2-6 years at the Croyden School in Kalamazoo Michigan. As the Practicum Coordinator at the Croyden School, Ms. Sheets was responsible for the training and monitoring of all behavioral technicians and teaching assistants. Ms. Sheets has made professional presentations at the International Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA), the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan (BAAM) and Midwest Association of Behavior Analysis (MABA).