THE EXPERTS

LINDSEY HOLTSMAN

CEO OF EMERGENT LEARNING CENTER
SENIOR BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Lindsey has her degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri - Columbia, and has over 8 years of experience working in the field of behavior analysis.  Lindsey is known throughout the world as the co-creator/designer of such innovative projects as TelePEAK, the PEAK Youtube Channel, and Mindful-U.  Lindsey is PEAK Level 2 Certified.

LISA MILLAGE

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
SENIOR BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Lisa is an ASHA (American Speech - Language - Hearing Association) certified and Missouri State licensed Speech Language Pathologist who has worked in the field of ABA in various settings since 2008. 

She is also a Level 2 Certified PEAK Implementer and currently working on her BCBA certification.

KATHY ROUSTIO

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Kathy has 30 years of teaching experience and a master’s degree in education. She is a level 2 Certified Peak Implementer and currently working on her BCBA certification.

SOPHIA RIZVI

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Sophia is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) in the Chicagoland area. Sophia graduated from DePaul University with her Bachelor's degree in studio arts and psychology. Following her undergraduate studies, Sophia earned her Master's degree from Ball State University where she studied applied behavior analysis (ABA) with an emphasis in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Sophia has worked with individuals from age 2-74 years old. She has a diverse background treating those with multiple diagnosis, including, but not limited to: ASD, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, reactive attachment disorder, dementia, anxiety disorders, and trauma survivors.

MARGARET MEYER

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Maggie is a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) and a Missouri State Licensed Behavior Analyst.  She has over 10 years of experience working with children and adults with Autism and related disabilities, in a variety of settings.

KATHRYNE LIBBRA

BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Katie has been working in special education since 2007, and has been implementing ABA since 2009, She has experience as a classroom teacher and as an ABA implementer in a variety of settings, including both home and school, from kindergarten to 22 years of age. She continues to pursue the most up to date research to improve her practice.

DIANNA DUDDY

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Dianna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education and a Master of Education degree in Advanced Practices in Special Education from Northern Illinois University.  She completed her Applied Behavior Analysis coursework through Southern Illinois University and became board certified in 2011.  She is a licensed Learning Behavior Specialist in the state of Illinois and has worked for over 10 years as a Special Education Teacher in the western suburbs of Chicago primarily with kindergarten through fifth grade students.

LAURA GARRETT

SSP / NCSP

Laura is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with ten years of experience in the public and school setting. She recently completed the coursework to pursue certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyist. Additionally, she has worked in a consultative role to support staff and parents to coordinate research based treatments for individuals. Laura is also  level 1 certified in PEAK.

HEATHER DERIJKE

AIM CONSULTANT

Heather  has years of experience as both a special education and general education classroom teacher in a variety of setting. Heather has utilized the AIM curriculum in a public school special education classroom, and serves as a consultant on AIM throughout the country.

CONNIE DOVE

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Connie is a BCBA and Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Missouri. She has a degree in Special Education and has worked in the field of ABA since 2016. Connie has spent much of her practice working with younger children and their families in centers around the St. Louis area. 

THE SCIENTISTS

Designing Our Interventions

DR. MARK DIXON

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Dr. Dixon is one of the highest published authors in the entire field of behavior analysis.  His work/expert opinions have been featured in Newsweek, Time, National Public Radio, and many other global media outlets.  

Mark is also the author of both the PEAK and AIM curriculums, and has worked with 100s of children with autism over the past twenty years.

DR. BECKY BARRON

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Dr. Barron has many years of experience working with children with autism and related disabilities and their families. She has also trained many university students and future practitioners in contemporary and best-practice ABA approaches. 

Dr. Barron has worked as a clinical director for an autism center and research clinic, and has published single subject and group design research on PEAK. She also has experience working with communities to ensure appropriate access to ABA intervention. 

DR. AUTUMN MCKEEL

LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Dr. McKeel is a Level 3 PEAK trainer, former professor, and owner of Emergent Learning DSM-Ankeny Clinic.

Autumn was one of the original researchers on PEAK, and her work is cited repeatedly throughout the scientific community.  She conducted the first Randomized Controlled Trial on PEAK, and subsequent work explored building complex language skills. 

DR. RUTH ANNE RHEFLDT

BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Dr. Rehfeldt is a world famous scholar of behavior analysis.  Her work with autism, language, and social development has been published in every single scientific journal in the field.

Ruth Anne is also the author of multiple books on human learning, autism, and behavioral science.  She has built and managed multiple autism centers and clinics over the past two decades.

DR. JORDAN BELISLE

BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Dr. Jordan Belisle is an Assistant Professor at Misouri State University and one of the most prolific authors on PEAK.  Jordan has authored or coauthored many of the peer-reviewed PEAK.

JENNIFER MOORE

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Jennifer earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Missouri St. Louis. She has ten years of professional experience in residential treatment serving children with emotional and behavioral disorders and children on the autism spectrum.

BRITTNEY CARR

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Brittney has her Master of Social Work from the Washington University in St. Louis. She has been practicing social work for several years, working with a range of diagnoses. She taught kids in early education, done therapy for adults with dementia, and been a case manager for older adults and adults with disabilities.

KELSEY GALLION

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Kelsey is a Registered Behavior Technician who completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri in Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis online through Florida Institute of Technology and hopes to sit for her BCBA exam in the fall of 2021. Kelsey has 5 years of experience in ABA and is PEAK Level 2 certified.

TAYLOR LAUER

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Taylor is a second year Master's student pursuing her BCBA at Missouri State University. She is a Registered Behavior Technician and works as an implementor. Taylor has 3 years of research experience in many areas-- including language and cognition, PEAK, verbal behavior and neurological research with autism.

MEREDITH MATTHEWS

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Meredith recently earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and is a first-year graduate student at Missouri State University. She has been involved within the field of applied behavior analysis for two years researching into areas such as climate change, PEAK, autism, and social discounting.

ALLY WOLF

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Ally earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2020. She has four years experience as a daycare teacher where she worked with children ranging from infancy to 13, and recently finished an internship at ALIVE Domestic Violence Agency in St. Louis. She is currently working towards her RBT certification and plans to pursue a Master's degree and BCBA.

KENNEDY MCALLISTER

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Kennedy has a Bachelors in Child and Family Development. She is also currently in school to obtain a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Lindenwood University. Kennedy has experience in early childhood education and counseling.

SARA WILLIS

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Sara has her associates in Early Childhood Education. She taught at a Montessori school for four years prior to her extensive experience in ABA. Sara has been working in the ABA field since 2013 and has been an RBT since 2016.

ALAYNA DUCHARME

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Alayna earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fontbonne University in 2018. She has 2 years experience in psychology research. She plans to purse a Master's degree in adolescent clinical psychology

CAGNI OREAR

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Cagni earned her bachelor degree in psychology in 2020 from Elmhurst University. She completed her internship through Peoria Public Schools working with inner city youth. She has three years experience as a daycare teacher and did mission outreach work with youth in Costa Rica and Guatemala.

CALLIE GILSENAN

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Callie graduated from Southern Illinois University with a master's degree in Behavior Analysis. Callie has 4 years of experience with PEAK, 2.5 years of experience with the AIM Curriculum, and have worked with a variety of people and in various settings.

SARAH HAUGHEY

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Sarah has an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and another associate degree in American Sign Language Interpreting. Sarah has 5 years’ experience as an ABA implementer working with children on the Autism spectrum and different developmental abilities. Sarah is currently working to obtain her RBT certification.

LAUREN HAAN

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Lauren is currently a senior at Illinois State University studying Social Work. She has a passion for helping others, specifically children. Lauren has experience coaching, teaching, and mentoring children.

KATIE LOCKWOOD

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Katie has diverse experience with working with children of a variety of ages. She is passionate about the field and currently working on her degree.

LINDSEY DENNIS

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Lindsey is a second year Master’s student pursuing her BCBA at Missouri State University. She has 2 years of research experience in several areas including PEAK, automated discrete trial training delivery, and cultural issues such as racial discrimination.

LACY PLEGER

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Lacy has her Bachelors in Kinesiology for teaching Physical Education/Health from SIUE. She has a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 endorsement from Greenville University. Lacy has 9 years experience as a Special Education Teacher utilizing PEAK in the classroom involving students with autism and other developmental abilities. Her last two years have been engaging students with emotional and behavioral disorders with the AIM curriculum.

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