Elementary Schools

• Freedom Trail Elementary School
• Tyler Run Elementary School
• Walnut Creek Elementary School

Lissa Altman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with nearly two decades of experience in special education, with a focus on supporting individuals with autism and their families. She has worked in early intervention, school-based, and community settings, and held roles such as Developmental Specialist, Intervention Specialist, District Behavior Specialist, and Board Member for the Autism Society of Cincinnati. 

Lissa is passionate about collaboration and creating inclusive, supportive learning environments. Her interests include staff and parent training, Antecedent-Based Interventions (ABIs), and de-escalation strategies. 

She holds degrees from Miami University, Mount St. Joseph University, and Florida Tech. Outside of work, Lissa enjoys walking her dogs, traveling with her husband, and spending time with family.  

Certifications 

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 
• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) 
• K-12 Intervention Specialist Mild to Moderate, CPI instructor
• Certified Safety-Care Trainer

Preschools

• Arrowhead Preschool
• Peachblow Crossing Preschool

Elementary Schools

• Heritage Elementary School
• Peachblow Crossing Elementary School

Chelsea Amadi is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who specializes in behavioral interventions for students with autism and intellectual delays. She has over 15 years of experience working in both the home setting as an ABA therapist and in the public-school setting as an intervention specialist, behavior specialist, and crisis prevention coordinator. Her professional interests include providing relatable and realistic professional development opportunities for staff and providing students with the skills needed to access opportunities to enhance their quality of life.  

Chelsea earned a Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education and holds an Intervention Specialist license with a focus in Moderate-Intensive Disabilities (grades K-12).

Certifications

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) 
• Certified Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) Instructor
• Licensed Intervention Specialist (K-12 Moderate/Intensive)

Elementary Schools

• Johnnycake Corners Elementary School 
• Oak Creek Elementary School 
• Olentangy Meadows Elementary School 

Melinda Barren is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who specializes in behavioral interventions for students who have autism and in strategies to support mental health, dual diagnoses, and trauma. She has over 10 years of experience in the field of applied behavior analysis and behavior support, including work in public schools, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University, and private consulting. Melinda earned her Master of Science in Psychology from Capella University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wittenberg University. She completed coursework at The Ohio State University for certification in behavior analysis. Her professional interests include staff and parent training to support de-escalation of students, trauma informed practices, and providing students with a functional means of communication. 

Certifications

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)  
• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA)  
• Certified Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) Instructor 

Middle Schools

• Hyatts Middle School 
• Liberty Middle School

High Schools 

• Liberty High School

Sydney Blankenship is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has been working in the field of ABA for the last 7 years. Growing up, Sydney’s mother was a public-school teacher. This inspired her to find a profession where she could help make a difference in the lives of students and families. Sydney has experience as a music instructor, paraprofessional and Intervention Specialist. While teaching, Sydney worked with students who were diagnosed with Autism and/or multiple disabilities in a private/non-profit education and therapy center. Sydney earned a Master of Education in Special Education from Grand Canyon University. She has a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Ohio University. Sydney is a licensed Intervention Specialist (mild-moderate K-12). Sydney’s professional interests include staff training and development and supporting students with self-advocacy and functional communication. In her current role, she hopes to provide students and staff with evidence-based practices and collaborate effectively with other professionals in order to maximize student growth.  

Certifications         

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 
• Licensed Intervention Specialist (K-12 Mild/Moderate) 

Elementary Schools

• Glen Oak Elementary School

Middle Schools

• Shanahan Middle School 

High Schools 

• Olentangy High School 

Richard Hood is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has been practicing for 5 years. He previously came from another school district, and has worked with preschool, elementary, and secondary levels for behavior modification goals. He comes with experience working with administration, teachers, and parents for education in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. He graduated from The Ohio State University, and earned his Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism from Ball State University. Richard's professional interests include staff training, function identification research, hands-on behavior intervention implementation, and data collection strategies.

In his free time, he likes to do anything outdoors, walk his two dogs (a Great Dane, and a Beagle mix), and explore new areas and restaurants of Columbus.

Certifications

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst

Elementary Schools

• Indian Springs Elementary School
• Liberty Tree Elementary School
• Scioto Ridge Elementary School

Middle Schools

• Orange Middle School 

High Schools 

• Olentangy Orange High School 
• Olentangy Academy - ACT

Jack Schlabig is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for the last 5 years. Jack spent his whole life in the Olentangy School District going to Alum Creek Elementary, Shanahan Middle School and Olentangy High School. He then went to The Ohio State University where he got his Bachelors of Psychology. 

Jack started in the field of ABA as a behavior technician at a center for students with challenging behaviors. He has worked as a paraprofessional in a high school classroom, a consultant doing in home aba therapy and most recently was a Behavior Specialist for an entire county of schools. His professional interests include meaningful inclusion for all students, effects of paraprofessionals on independence of students, decreasing student’s challenging behavior and the ways ABA can be used to support all students in a school setting.

Jack is also an avid runner and coaches high school cross country.  

Certifications 

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 
• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA) 

Preschools

• Alum Creek Preschool
• Olentangy Preschool at DACC
• Olentangy Shanahan Preschool
• Wyandot Run Preschool

Elementary Schools

• Alum Creek Elementary School
• Wyandot Run Elementary School

Katie Schmidt is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has been working in the field of ABA for the past 7 years as a classroom teacher and a consultant for the home setting working with families. As a teacher and a consultant, Katie worked with students who were diagnosed with autism/and or multiple disabilities in a private nonprofit education and therapy center. Katie earned her Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Castleton State College. Katie’s professional interests include functional communication so each child has a meaningful way of communication, staff and parent training to support students in the school and home environment and helping teach functional skills for students.

Certifications

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA)

Preschools

• Shale Meadows Preschool

Elementary Schools 

• Cheshire Elementary School 
• Shale Meadows Elementary School

Julie Sherwood is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who specializes in behavioral interventions for students who have autism and developmental disabilities. She also works with students who have emotional and behavioral disabilities. She has over 18 years of experience in the field of special education as a paraprofessional, educator, curriculum developer, and behavior analyst. Julie taught students who were diagnosed with autism and/or multiple disabilities at the elementary and middle school level in a public school setting. She has also worked for a special education software company, developing curriculum and conducting educational research. Her professional interests include trauma informed practices, functional and transition skills, providing students with a functional means of communication, and providing staff with knowledge and skills to support students who are dysregulated or in distress.  

Julie earned a Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Ohio State University. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education and holds two Intervention Specialist licenses: Mild-Moderate Disabilities and Moderate-Intensive/Severe Disabilities (both grades K-12). Julie has co-authored research articles that have been published in the peer-reviewed journal, Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities. 

Certifications 

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) 
• Certified Crisis Prevention and Intervention (CPI) Instructor 
• Licensed Intervention Specialist (K-12 Mild/Moderate; K-12 Moderate/Intensive) 

Middle Schools

• Berkshire Middle School
• Berlin Middle School

High Schools

• Berlin High School

Holly Williams is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) committed to helping individuals learn functional skills through the science of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). Holly began working in the field of ABA 7 years ago, just after graduating with a master's degree in ABA from the University of Cincinnati. Holly's career started off in a day treatment program; she also has experience working in the educational and hospital settings. She has worked extensively with individuals with autism as well as other diagnoses. Holly continuously strives to make a difference in the lives of the people she serves. Holly enjoys staying active in the ABA community by participating in professional development opportunities, attending conferences, training staff, and just talking and learning about human behavior as much as possible.

Certifications

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst (COBA)