Autism Behavior Consultants

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Kelly Pieropan-Magill
Kelly Magill, M.A., BCBA is a Board Certified Behavioral Analysis and the co-founder of ABC. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Cloud State University, located in Minnesota. She later pursued a master’s degree in counseling from Loyola Marymount University. Kelly has worked with children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities since 1995. She has an extensive background in applied behavior analysis and verbal behavior.

Before entering the field of autism, Kelly worked with severely emotionally disturbed children. She was the clinic supervisor for FEAT of Minnesota and held the position of supervisor and lead therapist for three Los Angeles non-public agencies.

Kelly has extensive experience in conducting Functional Behavior Assessments and setting up individualized programs according to the child’s needs. She has provided numerous workshops and intensive training for both staff and parents covering techniques of applied behavior analysis, including discrete trial teaching and verbal behavior. Kelly has provided consultation to many families out of state, school personnel and others directly involved with the child. Kelly oversees all Clinical Directors at ABC.

Brandi Walsh, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Brandi Walsh, M.S.W., LCSW. earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master degree in social work from California State University, Long Beach. After completing her hours of training she became licensed as a clinical social worker. Brandi joined ABC in 2006.

Brandi first joined Autism Behavior Consultants (ABC) in 2001 providing behavior therapy and supervising cases. After leaving for a short time to complete her hours of training necessary to become licensed she then returned to ABC to provide clinical consultation. Her experience in the field of autism spectrum disorders includes direct intervention, supervision, staff training, school aide training, and parent training.

Brandi has worked with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) since 1999. She also has experience working with children and adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and oppositional/defiant disorder.

Sandra Cazares, M.S.

Sandra Cazares M.S., BCBA received her Master of Science in Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles with an option in Applied Behavior Analysis. She possesses a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Developmental Psychology.

During her undergraduate studies at UCLA, Sandra discovered the world of autism while working for a workshop family under the supervision from staff working at LIFE (Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention). She enrolled and completed the behavior modification courses taught by Dr. Ivar Lovaas and his teacher’s assistants and interned at LIFE before graduating from UCLA. There, she gained skills as a behavioral therapist as well as the role of supervisor. Sandra became an independent consultant after graduating in 2001 and worked with families in the south bay.

Sandra has been working with Autism Behavior Consultants since its conception in the fall of 2001. She is currently a Clinical Director with our agency and provides services predominantly in the San Gabriel, Long Beach and Inland areas. Some of her responsibilities include providing individualized programming based on each of her client’s needs, teaching employee training workshops, providing on-going training to staff and parents, writing initial assessments, quarterly and monthly reports, conducting employee reviews and directing monthly team meetings.

Nickie Lau, M.S.
Nicke Lau Nickie Lau M.S. joined ABC in 2002 after grauduating with her Master of Science in Counseling at California State University, Los Angeles, in the Applied Behavior Analysis program. . She possesses a Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles, where she majored in Sociology.

Before entering into the field of ABA, Nickie volunteered at UniCamp, UCLA’s official student charity, where she worked with underprivileged children from the Department of Children and Family Services. She was in a leadership triad that provided extensive training to the student camp counselors, organized camp programs, and supervised the daily schedule of programs. Nickie continues to avidly attend ABA conferences to remain updated with new research in the field. Her interest in the field of ABA began in 2001, where she attended a behavior modification course taught by Dr. Ivar Lovaas, joining ABC later in 2002.

Currently, Nickie is a Clinical Director with ABC and is provides services predominately in the South Bay and Long Beach area. Some of her responsibilities include providing individualized programming based on each client’s needs, teaching employee training workshops, assisting in the development of ABC’s social skills camp curriculum, providing on-going training to supervisors and parents, writing initial assessments and reports, conducting employee reviews, and directing monthly team meetings.

Carshena Tronnes, M.S.

Carshena Tronnes M.A., BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English Literature from University of Oregon, located in Eugene, Oregon. She later completed her Master’s degree in Teaching from National University in La Jolla, California. Carshena joined ABC in 2004 and is currently operates as a Clinical Director and new employee trainer, as well as continuing to hold a supervisory role on a number of cases.

Carshena began her work in the field of autism in 2001 as a behavior therapist. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree, she moved to California and began working with the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention (LIFE). She gained experience working in a therapy and supervisory role.
In her current role as Clinical Director at ABC, Carshena’s caseload encompasses the Inland Empire. Her role includes overseeing the implementation of behavior intervention services for her clients in the home and school settings, training and reviews for employees, conducting training workshops for employees and parents, and overseeing client programs.

Francine Holguin, M.S.

Francine Holguin, M.S., BCBA, is a Board Certified Analyst. She joined ABC as a behavioral therapist in 2004 while completing her bachelors degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. While at LMU, Francine earned a B.A. in Psychology and Substance Abuse Counseling, and upon graduating decided to launch a career in the field of Behavior Analysis full time. In December 2010, Francine received her Master's of Science degree from Cal State, Los Angeles, with a major in counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Francine has worked as a Clinical Director for nearly five years. Her job duties have included developing research-based interventions and programming for clients based on functional behavior assessments, providing on-going training to staff and parents, and presenting workshops on various topics related to ABA. Francine has
completed extensive coursework and workshops related to FBA's under the direction of Dr. Michelle Wallace and Dr. Brian Iwata.

Heidi
Heidi Glesne, M.S., BCBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Biology and Psychology at Loyola Marymount University, located in Los Angeles, California. She later completed her master’s degree in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. She joined ABC in 2004 and is currently a Clinical Director.

Heidi began her work in the field of autism in 1999 as a behavior therapist. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she worked for the Minnesota Autism Center (formally known as F.E.A.T. of MN) as a senior behavior therapist. There, she gained experience working in a supervisory role, conducting assessments, program planning and management as well as a principle researcher for a study that was presented at the national ABA convention.

In her current role as a Clinical Director at ABC, Heidi’s caseload includes clients in the Inland, Orange County and San Gabriel Valley areas. Her role includes overseeing the implementation of behavior intervention services for her clients in the home and school settings, training and reviews for supervisors, conducting parent training workshops, and overseeing client programs.

Cheryl Stroll, M.S., BCBA has over 20 years of experience in applied behavior analysis and working with children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she participated in an internship program at the Santa Barbara County Autism Project through UCSB, as well as being selected as a research assistant for Dr. Robert Koegel. She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Oregon. She went on to become an autism specialist for the Oregon Department of Education, traveling throughout the state providing consultation to school districts and families. Cheryl joined ABC in 2007 as a Clinical Director.

Cheryl’s extensive experience includes providing clinical supervision and overseeing the day to day operations of one of the first supported living programs for adults with autism spectrum disorder in the state of California. She then returned to working with children, providing clinical supervision of ABA programs in school and home settings for children and adolescents with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. This clinical role included district wide consultation, development and assessment of programs and curriculum, parent training, and comprehensive functional behavioral assessments. She also has led social skills groups for adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome, with an emphasis on social fluency, perspective taking, and social discrimination.

Sandra Cazares, M.S.

Stephen Johnson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 15 years of experience working with children and young adults diagnosed with autism. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at UCLA and later completed his doctorate in Education there as well. Steve joined ABC in 2011.

Stephen began his work in the field of autism as a behavior therapist at the Lovaas clinic in 1994. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he continued to work there and at other agencies until returning to school for his doctorate. While there he had the benefit of working with an outstanding group of mentors across a variety of topics including early child development, diagnosis, joint attention intervention, and classroom development. Stephen has also served on the faculty at CSUN for several years as part of their BCBA training curriculum.

In his current role as a Clinical Director at ABC, Stephen’s caseload includes clients in the West LA and San Gabriel Valley areas. His role includes overseeing the implementation of behavior intervention services for his clients in the home and school settings, training and reviews for supervisors, conducting parent training workshops, and overseeing client programs. Stephen is also trained in crisis prevention techniques and will help train new staff in these methods as well.

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