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

DIRECTOR OF EMERGENT LEARNING: ST.LOUIS 
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

DIRECTOR OF EMERGENT LEARNING: EDWARDSVILLE
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.

TAYLOR LAUER

BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Taylor completed her BCBA at Missouri State University. Taylor has 3 years of research experience in many areas-- including language and cognition, PEAK, verbal behavior and neurological research with autism.

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. 

CALLIE GILSENAN

DIRECTOR OF EMERGENT LEARNING: CHICAGOLAND
SENIOR 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.

LINDSEY DENNIS

DIRECTOR OF EMERGENT LEARNING: TROY
SENIOR 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.

TAYLOR JANOTA

DIRECTOR OF EMERGENT LEARNING: SPRINGFIELD 

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Taylor completed her undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders; and her master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders at Missouri State University. She has 6 years of experience working with individuals with ASD. Taylor has completed research in the reduction of severe problem behavior and PEAK programming implementation.

AMY VERNAGALLO

BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

Amy earned both her master's degree in Educational Psychology and Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago. She completed her Behavior Analysis coursework through Southern Illinois University and became board certified in 2018. She has worked for the past 15 years as a School Psychologist in the public school system and served the past 5 years as a Behavior Specialist/Consultant that supports school systems, staff, and parents effectively program supports across a wide range of need. Amy has extensive experience working with individuals aged preschool through adult transition. She has led programmatic implementation of the AIM curriculum across elementary and middle school classrooms and is Level 2 PEAK certified.

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.

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.

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.

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

REGISTERED 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.

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.

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

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 from Harper College.

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.

PAIGE RIMAR

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Paige found her passion working with individuals with severe disabilities while employed as a paraprofessional. For three years, she helped administer PEAK’s ABA programs in the classroom. She provides respite care for families of students with severe disabilities over the summer. Currently, she is enrolled in the special education program at SIUE where she is seeking her Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education, Learning Behavior Specialist 1 Teaching Licensure, and Early Childhood Special Education letter of approval.

JAZZLYN HARRIS

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Jazzlyn has her degree in Psychology from Missouri State University. She is actively pursuing her Masters in Psychology with an emphasis in ABA from Capella University. She is on track to become a BCBA as well. Jazzlyn has about a year of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis.

ASHTYN FREEMAN

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Ashtyn graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with her bachelors in psychology and my minor in criminal justice. Ashtyn plans to attend Arizona State University this upcoming fall (2021) to further her education and obtain my masters in forensic psychology.

GEMMA CALLLAHAN

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Gemma is a special education teacher and mother of three teenage children, two of whom have autism. She is working to complete her Master of Arts in Special Education degree and BCBA certification.

ALLISON THOMPSON

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Allison earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2020. She is passionate about helping others and has experience working with children of a variety of ages.

CARLY HICE

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Carly has a bachelors degree, from Tory University, in Human Services with a minor in psychology. She is currently a second year student at Covenant Theological Seminary. She will graduate in the Spring of 2023 and plans pursue a counseling career working with children and young adults suffering from trauma and dysfunctional families.

KIM BAICH

BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Kim has her degree in child care as well as a certificate in child abuse studies. She just completed her third year in teaching kindergarten. Kim is working towards her Registered Behavior Technician certification.

LIBBY TRAVERS

REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN

Libby is currently studying and taking courses to receive her Masters in Applied Behavior at Lindenwood University. After coursework is completed, she hopes to become a BCBA and work throughout the St. Louis area. Libby has an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Elementary Education and has spent the last three years teaching Second Grade.

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