
Meet the 2026 Autism & IDD Care Awards Nominees
We’re excited to showcase the 2026 Autism & IDD Care Awards Honorees.
These honorees exemplify leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing autism and IDD care. Explore their stories and join us in celebrating their remarkable contributions.
Innovator of
the Year

Natalie Lovejoy
MA, BCBA, LBA
Lighthouse Autism Center
Rising Star in
Autism and IDD Care

Nicole Bazulis
RBT
Attain
Exceptional
Leadership Award

Jacqueline Godwin
BCBA, LBS
Beyond Autism Services
Operations Team Excellence

Raven Ford-Lee
MS, RBT, Psy.D. Candidate
Verbal Beginnings, LLC

Christina James
MBA
Verbal Beginnings, LLC
Clinical Team Excellence

Melani Garcia Marcias
RBT, CPI
ACES

Micha'ly Hall
MS
ACES

Ria Tirona
BCBA
ACES
Security Team Excellence

Autism and IDD Care Honorees

Meir Aisenstark
BT, GED
Connext Plus Therapy

Amante Allen
BCBA
BehaviorCare Therapy

Bisola Alli
BCBA
TruPath

Maira Almonte
Golden Steps ABA

Dianna Alvarez
BCBA
ACES ABA

Veena Anand
MBA
Apex Pediatric Therpy Services

Liz Anderson
BCBA, LBA
Every Piece Counts

Ashley Anderson
M.S., BCBA, LBA
Carolina ABA

Kristen Andris
MA
Golden Steps ABA

Victor Arcineda
BCBA
Intercare

Arica Arius
PhD, BCBA/Clinical Director
Developmental Pathways Inc.

Valerie Arrindell
Associate of Arts in Psychology
JAIR-V ABA Services

Caetlin Asher
Expectational Leadership
CCS

Chika Asomugha
M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
Essential Speech & ABA-Kingwood

Malik Aytch
RBT
Proud Moments ABA

Angelica Bakeman
MA, BCBA, LBA
Chitter Chatter PC

Mackenzie Bangs
BCBA
Early Autism Services

Matthew Barnett
BCBA
ACES Owasso, OK

Sheryl Barretto
BCBA, LBA, IBA
Alta Vista Integrated Life Services

Moshe Baum
BT
Connect Plus Therapy

Heather Beam
BCBA
Capable Kids

Sondra Beaudoin
LICSW, BCBA, LABA
May Institute, Inc.

Shakelah Beauford
RBT
Brightview Care

Carmen Benedict
BCBA
Autism, Advocacy, & Intervention

Kelsey Bennett
BCBA
Brighter Strides ABA Therapy NC

Julie Bennett
MS, BCBA, NC-LBA
Kind Behavorial Health

Erika Benson
MA, PLBA
AZA United

Bassi Berman
Cross River Therapy

Nicole Bertsch
BCBA, LABA
South Shore Autism Center

Alyson Beytien
MS-Autism, BCBA
Beyond Behavior Autism Services

Cynthia Blackledge
BCBA-D
Already Autism Health

Heather Blackwell
BCBA
Helianthus Positive Behavior Support

Morghan Boos
RBT
Good Day ABA, LLC

Roman Borr
BCBA
BlueSprig Pediatrics

Elizabeth Botkin
M.S., BCBA
Project Brilliance LLC

Jessica Bowers-Carlsson
BCBA-D
Waypoint Behavioral Health Solutions

Christina Boykin
LBA, BCBA
Perch Behavioral Health

Stanley Branch
BCBA
Action Behavior Centers

Ashley Brandness
MS
Ridgewood Public Schools

Meagan Brannon
RBT, TLBA
Already Autism Health

Margaux Brosnahan
New Beginnings ABA

Helen Brown
All About ABA LLC

Kali Brux
BCBA
WonderWay ABA Clinic

Amy Bryan
Infinity Behavior/Great Gains ABA

Kaitlin Buccolo
BCBA, LBA
Gilbert Academy Action Beheavior Center

Karen Burdge
BS Psychology
Benchmark Human Services

Jessica Burkle
BCBA
Swann Clinic for Behavior Health

Macy Busse
BCBA
Faithful Steps Therapy & Solutions

Natasha Butler
Infinity Behavior/Great Gains ABA

Jennifer Cable
BCBA
Aprendamos Family of Services

Caitlin Caceres
xyzABA

Windi Camacho
RBT
Swann Clinic for Behavioral Health

Andrea Camp
BCBA, LBA
Behavioral Innovations

Willie Carter
RBT
ABC of NC

Jamie Castro
BCBA
Proud Moments

Alyssa Catapano
M.A. BCBA
Els for Autism Foundation

Qi Luan Chen
BT, MA
Momentum Behavior Care LBA P.C.

Danielle Cohen
MA, BCBA, LBA
Autism, Advocacy, & Intervention

Brittany Coleman
BCBA, MS
Behavioral Innovations

Patricia Colomia Garcia
BCBA, MA, LBA
ABC Katy Cinco Ranch

Murphy Comardelle
MS, BCBA, LBA
Butterfly Effects

Tiffany Cook
ACES

Kaitlyn Cooper
RBT
Proud Moments ABA

Cody Cooper
Westside Children's Therapy

Natalie Corzine
BCBA
Ad Astra Autism Centers

Mackenzie Crisp
RBT
The Tomorrow Center

Trevon Crowley
RBT
Grateful Care ABA

Cary Dean
BA in Psychology
Stepping Stones Group

Alexis Dejesus
RBT
Proud Moments ABA

Kristine Del Ray
Every Piece Counts

Christine Delacruz
All About ABA LLC

McKenna Delanty
Judevine Center for Autism

Katrina Deminski
BCBA
Brighter Strides ABA

Hamabilly Dias
Golden Steps ABA

Jessica Diaz
RBT
Behavioral Intervention Psychological Services

Magricely Diaz Mercado
Infinity Behavior/Great Gains ABA

Gloria Diaz-Muhsen
RBT
Kadiant

Courtney Dillon
RBT
Already Autism Health

Ashleigh Dodd
BCBA, LBA, M.A., M.S.
Early Autism Services

Alexandria Dominici-Assentato
M.S. CCC-SLP/SLS PC
Sovereign Care Services

Stacey Dominy
BCBA
Behavior Analysis & Theraputic Services

Christie Dragan
M.A., BCBA
Bridging Independent Living Together Inc.

Elizabeth Drysdale
BCBA
Total Care

Meggan Dubin
BCBA
MAC Midwest

Kyndall Edwards
RBT
Joy Bridge Kids

Alexis Emery
BCBA
Autism, Advocacy & Intervention

Mallory Engelhardt
BCBA
Caravel Autism Health

Ellie Epps
RBT
Total Care ABA

Courtney Erker-Knappe
MEd, BCBA, LBA
Cross River Therapy

Isabel Escobar
CBT
Alta Vista Integrated Life Services

Ebe Espinoza
RBT
Swann Clinic for Behavorial Health

Kaitlin Estes
BCBA, LBA
Already Autism Health

Hannah Evans
BCBA
Behavioral Innovations

Samantha Ewings
RBT
Arizona Autism

Amanda Feltham
All About ABA LLC

Cara Franke
M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Kind Behavioral Health

Estevan Fuentes
MBA
ABC Katy Cinco Ranch

Shelby Gainer
BCBA
Infinity Behavior

Jonathan Gallup
BA, RBT
Butterfly Effects LLC

Dania Garza
M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
ABC Tomball 250

Julie Gattenio
BHT
Intercare Therapy

Gabrielle Gersten
LBA, BCBA
Perch Behavioral Health

Hailey Gess
Caravel Autism Health

Brooklynn Gilbert
BCBA Infinity Behavior (Great Gains ABA)

Jen Gitschier
New Beginnings ABA

Regina Glamore
M.S., BCBA, LBA
Starbright Centers

Ben Gonzalez
BCBA
SLEA Therapies

Rebecca Gonzalez Ferreira
M.S., BCBA, LBA
Above & Beyond ABA

Kelsey Goodner
BCBA
Total Care ABA

Jenna Gordon
BCBA
Autism, Advocacy, & Intervention

Olivia Grabill
MA, BCBA, COBA
EMPOWER Behavioral Health & Intervention

Christina Gravina
M.ED, BCBA
BILT

Sholom Green
BT, GED
Connect Plus Therapy

Lithzy Gutierrez Luna
MA
Axis for Autism

Loretta Hall
M.Ed, LBA, BCBA
Perch Behavioral Health

Savannah Hamilton
TLBA
Already Autism Health

Erik Hansen
MBA, Ph.D.
Matrix Behavior Solutions

Nataly Haskins
LBA-Tx, BCBA
Success on the Spectrum

Lisa Hawkins
New Beginnings ABA

Jess Hayes
BCBA, LBA
Every Piece Counts

Julianna Heber
BCBA
Helianthus Positive Behavior Support

Lauren Henderson
M.A., CCC-SLP
SLEA Therapies

Erin Henke
BCBA
Apex Pediatric Therapy Services

Myanna Henke
CBT
Alta Vista Integrated Life Services

Kyla Hernandez
M.Ed. BCBA LBA
Desert ABA Solutions

Natalia Herrera
BCBA, LMHC
Florida Family Support

Tyler Hogan
BCBA
Proud Moments ABA

Emily Hopkins
All About ABA LLC

Stacy Hopkins
BCBA, LBA
Blue Gems ABA Therapy LLC

Eduardo Hughes
Kids First Services

Bryce Huntbach
BCBA, LBA
Caravel Autism Health

Ilinca Lonescu
LBA, BCBA
Perch Behavioral Health

Jennifer James
BCBA
Success ABA

Kiah Johnson
M.A., BCBA, LBA-IA
Balance Autism

Jasmine Johnson
MS, QBA, LCMHC
Breaking Barriers Behavioral Services

Aubrey Jones
M.S., MEd
Center for Social Dynamics

Shamim Juma
Med, BCBA, LBA
Individualized Intervention ABA

Christy Justice
MA, BCBA, LBA
Bluegrass Center for Autism

Rebecca Karelitz
Links ABA Therapy

Tamara Kasper
BCBA, SLP-CCC
Kasper Enterprises

Gabrielle Kerhulas Yee
CBT, RBT
Alta Vista Integrated Life Services

Zane Khan
Matrix Behavior Solutions LLC

Sandra Kidd
RBT
Blue Sprig

Haylee Gilliam
RBT
Already Autism Health

Pearson Klein
BCBA
BMA

David Knoll
All About ABA LLC

Noreen Laberinto
M.A., BCBA
IABA

Ava Land
RBT
PediaPlex

Tara Laxton
BCBA, LBA
Strategies Inc. ABA

Louisette Leger
RBT
Cross River Therapy

Topanga Lindaman
OM, RBT
Success on the Spectrum

Mackenzie Lipps
BCBA
Autism, Advocacy, & Intervention

Brandi Lloyd
RBT
Fairclough Behavioral Services

Isabella Logan
Applied Behavior Consultants

Devora Lopez Martinez
BCBA, LBA
Alta Vista Integrated Life Services

Cindy Lora
BCBA
Ridgewood Public Schools

Jymere Luter
RBT
Grateful Care ABA

Elizabeth Lynch
BCBA, M.Ed., LBA
Focus Behavioral Associates

Carleigh Lyon
BCBA
Autism, Advocacy, & Intervention

Michelle Macrorie
Autism From The Start

Kim Madar
MS, BCBA, LABA
May Institute

Brittany Mason
BCBA
Little Leaves

Abigail McCarthy
BCBA, M.ED, LABA
Futures Behavior Therapy Center

Briana McGraw
RBT
Already Autism Health

Aaron McKinney
RBT
Already Autism Health

Lindsay McNeil
BCBA
Center for Social Dynamics

Brittany Meckler
BCBA
Matrix Behavior Solutions

Amy Mein
RBT
The Tomorrow Center

Samantha Mendez
RBT
Behavioral Family Solutions

Mariana Meneses
BCBA
WonderWay ABA

Sheena Meng
LBA, BCBA
Perch Behavioral Health

Sarah Miller
Caravel Autism Health

Melissa Mills
Kadiant

Alexander Moody
LBA, BCBA
Perch Behavioral Health

Haley Moore
BCBA
Above and Beyond Therapy

Maida Tatiana Morales
RBT
The Tomorrow Center

Ashley Moran
MA, BCBA, LBA
Lacuna Autism Services

Lexie Morton
BCBA, LBA
Judevine Center for Autism

Mark Moskowitz
Cross River Therapy

Nimrah Muhammad
RBT
Pediatrics Plus

Maura Munoz
PediaPlex Flower Mound

Nicole Muratawski
Westside Children's Therapy

Tammy Negri
BCBA, LBA
Strategies Inc. ABA

Shelby Nelson
BCBA, Ph.D
Essential Speech & ABA Therapy

Zachary Newman
BCBA, LBA, MS
Success on the Spectrum

Ashley Norman
RBT
Action Behavior Centers

Terra Oehler
BCBA, M.S
Learning Institute for Functional Education

Leah Ojog
RBT
The Tomorrow Center

Annette Okonofua
LBA-Tx, BCBA
Success on the Spectrum

Greysis Paez
RBT
Care In Mind

Moshe Paneth
BT
Connect Plus Therapy

Kerry Partlow
New Beginnings ABA

Alicia Pavone
M.Ed, M.A.
Ridgewood Intensive Services (RISe)

Kathleen Perry
RBT
FAC

Susana Pimentel Lopez
RBT
ABS Lidd

Carolyn Pira
MA
Ridgewood Public Schools

Elisha Placek
BCBA
Anne Carlsen Center

Michelle Plymel
BCBA, LBA
The Tomorrow Center

Jessica Polay
MA, CCC-Slp
Ridgewood Public Schools

D'Aundray Porter
RBT
Airborne ABA

Rachel Portrum
BCBA
Kadiant

Juan Prado
BCBA
Hope Autism Therapies

Ashli Prosser
Benchmark Human Services

Victoria Prouty
Center for Social Dynamics

Amanda Quattrocelli
BCBA, LABA
New Beginnings ABA

Amelia Rainford
RBT
Ad Astra Autism Centers

Kavita Ramsahai
Acorn Health

Reshitta Ray Cole
CAA
ABC Kate Cinco Ranch

Melissa Reserva
ACES

Kaylee Rice
RBT
Academy ABA

Kaleigh Ridlon
MS, BCBA, LBA
Lilac Learning Center

Carolyn Rivera
MA, BCBA, LBA
Butterfly Effects

Callie Roberts
LPC
Winnsboro ISD Special Education Department

Monique Robertson
CBT, RBT
Alta Vista Integrated Life Services

Cheryl Rodrigo
Matrix Behavior SOlutions

Roger Romas
MA
Ridgewood Public Schools

Angelleya Rose
BCBA, LBA
North Shore Health Services

Kristy Rothe
BCBA
Capable Kids

Parker Rugeley
Ed.D., RBT
Autism learning Partners

Stephanie 'Mandy' Rushing
ACES

Mike S
Autism Center of Excellence LLC

Nick Sam
Autism Center of Excellence LLC

Derek Schicker
BCBA, LBA
Strategies Inc. ABA

Marcy Schultz
BCBA, LABA
New Beginnings ABA

Shannon Schum
MBA
Essential Speech and ABA Therapy

Mary Wynn
MBA
Essential Speech and ABA Therapy

Amber Shaw
RBT
Arizona Autism

Ashley Sheperd
RBT
Ad Astra Autism Centers

Fnu Shivani
MA
LEARN Behavioral

Cecelia Shoemaker
RBT
Ad Astra Autism Centers

Katie Shores
M.A. BCBA
Als for Autism Foundation

Amy Siebold
Lacuna Autism Services

Diana Silvernam
BCBA
Apex Pediatric Therapy Services

JaymeeAnn Simbulan
BCBA
Infinity Behavior

Carly Skowronski
M.S. BCBA
Els for Autism Foundation

Sharana Sloss
LISW-CP
The Stepping Stones Group

Emily Smith
BA
Caravel Autism

Alisha Smith
BCBA
Regional Behavior Consultants LLC

Veronica Smith
BCBA, LBA
Autism & Behavioral Consultaing Services

Anusha Solai
RBT
Action Behavior Centers

Breena Spier
RBT
The Tomorrow Center

Samantha Steffen
MA, BCBA, LBA
Downriver Therapy Associates LLC

Rebecca Stevens
BA
IDT Enterprise LLC

Joanne Stoner
M.S., BCBA, LBA
Brighter Strides ABA

Taisyn Stovall
RBT
IDT Enterprise LLC

Fojan Taheri
BCBA
Brighter Strides ABA

Mei Takeda
BCBA
Hope Autism Therapies

Amber Thompson
B.A., Psychology
Center for Social Dynamics

Anastasia Thornsberry
Arizona Autism

Stephanie Tiznado Moreno
BT
Axis for Autism

Dayna Tobin
M.S. CCC-SLP
Sunny Days Sunshine Center

Amber Toy
TLBA
Already Autism Health

Hailey Trupp
BCBA
Pediatrics Plus/The Behavior Exchange

Jada Tucker
PhD, BCBA, LBA
Strategies Inc. ABA

Emily Turner
BCBA
BCBA Pediatric & Autism Center

Amber Varela
M.S. BCBA
Firefly Autism

Zulimar Vazquez
RBT
TruPath Behavioral Therapy

Dauthline Versailles
RBT
Behavioral Family Solutions

Emily Videan
M.ED., BCBA, LBA
Acorn Health

Landre Vig
RBT
Swann Clinic for Behavioral Health

Chelsea Walker
BCBA, LBA
Brighter Strides

Megan Watkins
M.S. Ed., BCBA, LBA
Focus Behavioral Associates

Jennifer Weber
Aces for Autism

Brannie Weinberger
BCBA
Connect Plus Therapy

Menachem Weiss
BT
Connect Plus Therapy

Bethany Welborn-Ruhl
BCBA
Project Hope Foundation

Emma Welter-Mayne
BCBA
Caravel Autism Health

Wendy Westmoreland
RBT
Ad Astra Autism Centers

Carrissa White
Westside Children's Therapy

Gabriel Whitherington
LBA, BCBA
Pediatrics and Autism Center, LLC

Diamond Williams
BCBA
Action Behavior Centers

Kim Winkelman
BCBA, LBA
Westside Children's Therapy

Aubrey Wise
BCBA
Abskids

Sara Witherspoon
Westside Children's Therapy

Diana Wolf
BCBA-LBA
Verbal Beginnings

Madison Wyant
BCBA
Regional Behavior Consultants LLC

Samantha Young
BCBA, LBA
Little Leaves

Baily Zubel
MS, OTD, OTR/L
SLEA Therapies