Autism Behavior Consultants

Kelly Pieropan-Magill, M.A., B.C.B.A. 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.

Heidi Glesne, M.S., B.C.B.A.,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.

Brandi Walsh, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. 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 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.

Elizabeth McCurdy, M.S.,earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. Mary's College of Maryland. She earned her Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore Maryland. Liz joined ABC in 2003 and is currently a Clinical Director in the South Bay.

While in graduate school, Liz worked at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in the Neurobehavioral In-Patient and Out-Patient clinics where she learned techniques to modify and treat severe behavior disorders, conduct functional analysis, and create child-specific intervention plans. Liz has worked with children with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays, mental retardation, Down's Syndrome, and various other diagnoses since 2000.

As Clinical Director, Liz conducts a variety of assessments, designs and implements treatment plans, oversees treatment teams, and conducts training workshops for new and ongoing staff members. Liz is also certified to teach Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI).

Cheryl Stroll, M.S.,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 an Assistant 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.

Jeff Skibitsky, M.A. received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, continued his education at Pepperdine University where he earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and University of North Texas for BCABA Credentialing. He has worked with the special needs population for over 8 years and has focused on developmental disorders over the last 6 years.

Jeff has received extensive training in DTT (Discrete Trial Training) while working for Dr. Ivar Lovaas, and furthered his training in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) techniques to include pivotal response training, positive behavioral support, functional communication training, and verbal behavior.

Jeff has worked in a supervisory role for the past 6 years, in which he has trained therapists and supervisors, evaluated staff performances, conducted workshops on ABA techniques and developed staff training protocols. He has developed programming, conducted behavioral assessments, functional analyses, and coached parents utilizing a parent training module on effective behavior management.

Jeff is currently in the accreditation process through the BACB (Behavior Analysis Certification Board).

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