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Learners' Compass ABA instructors provide data based interventions to our learners in the home or school setting. They provide parent training and collaborate with the team. We currently have a small team of dedicated and motivated instructors. They all have at least a BA and three plus years experience in Applied Behavior Analytic intervention.

Our ABA Instructors

The Council of Autism Service Providers supports its members by cultivating, sharing, and advocating for provider best practices in autism services. CASP represents the autism provider community to the nation at large including government, payers, and the general public. We serve as a force for change, providing information and education and promoting standards that enhance quality.

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Our Approach

Services are based on the most current and innovative methodologies offered in the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). For each child, we conduct thorough assessments and implement highly individualized and well-rounded treatment packages. Instructional strategies are data driven and are drawn from literature-based methods authored by respected specialists in the field of behaviorism.

Naturalistic settings are simulated to systematically prepare students for learning in the inclusion setting. Inclusion success is systematic and purposeful. Support is provided by collaborating with the educators in the inclusion setting to help the child succeed in one of the most important transitions he/she will make.

At Learners' Compass our approach is collaborative. We find the key to success is consistency and a cohesive team. We believe each child deserves a team with all hands on deck to help foster their full potential. We work with educators and all providers (Medical Professionals, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists, etc). 

Although much hard work lies ahead for learners in therapy, we will work even harder to motivate, encourage, and make it worth the child's time. We will make learning fun (Matching Law-Herrnstein 1961;Davison et al., 1988).

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Our Mission

To provide comprehensive, individualized treatment for learners with autism and behavior disorders by combining science, care, and education to foster each individual's full potential in all facets of life. We believe that every moment is a teaching and learning opportunity.

Our Commitment

With gentle, persistent persuasion, we help children become active participants in the learning processes of communication, socialization, and self-management. We partner with families in the therapeutic process and help them with the resources and training they need to understand their children's unique needs.

Our Board of Advisors

Meet our board of advisors.

Athena Nicholas, RN

Parent of Child with Autism and Co-founder of REED Academy

Dr. Denise Ross, Ph.D

Professor of psychology and education, The Chicago School in the Department of Applied Behavior Analysis

Dr. Sima Toosi, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, NY Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medical College

Dr. Catherine M. Cavaliere, PhD, OTR/L

Professor, Dominican College

Leila Farshchian, M.A., BCBA

Leila Farshchian is a Certified Special Educator and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with extensive experience working with children with autism and special needs. Since 1997, she has used Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) methods for the treatment of learners with ASD in school, home, and community settings. She has designed programs and curricula for public and private schools in NY and NJ. She has conducted workshops, counseled families, and directed small and large teams of educators to provide treatment in public schools and home settings. In her last public school programming, after 4 years of leadership as the Coordinator of the Autism Program, the NJ Board of Education in Trenton awarded the program as top 3 programs for Children with Autism in the state of NJ in 2007.

Leila received her Masters of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University, Teachers College. She developed a curriculum for 1500+ ABA data-driven programs, encompassing individualized skills in the areas of academic, self-management, verbal behavior/language, leisure skills, joint attention, inclusion, and behavior management.

Her memberships include Global School House Project, The International Association for Behavior Analysis, Autism NJ, Autism Speaks, the NJ Association for Behavior Analysis, and International Health Awareness Network.

Our Director

Meet our director.

Our Supervisory Team

Our ABA supervisors coordinate home-based ABA intervention programs. They provide parent and staff training, collaborate with other educators/therapists on the child's team and provide interventions for our students.

Casey DiGirolamo, BCBA

Casey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a BA in Psychology and a MA in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her career in special education and Autism treatment started in 2014. Casey has worked in private ABA programs and public-school ABA programs. Casey is most interested in educating, empowering, and assisting LC’s learners and their families with obtaining socially significant goals. Casey has experience providing ABA home-based supervision, school-based behavior consultation, program development, staff workshops/trainings, mentorship and
trainings for colleagues.

Laurie Barragan, BCBA

Laurie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Bachelors degree in psychology and a Masters degree in Special Education. She comes to us with experience consulting in private schools, public schools, and in-home programs with learners ages 2 to 21 since 1999. She is most interested in creating socially significant goals and in promoting best practices in the field of ABA. She provides program-wide district support services, as well as, individual support services. She has conducted trainings for professional development and mentored colleagues in ABA Interventions.

Zabrina Kearns, M.A.

Zabrina received her BA from New Jersey City University in 2006 in Special Education and her MA in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University in 2016. She is completing her BCBA coursework through Florida Institute of Technology’s ABA program. She began ABA Interventions in 1999. She has taught in public and private school-based programs with learners aged 3-21. At this time, she is a supervisor in a private school. Zabrina provides direct instruction, coordination, behavioral consultation and parent training in our home-based programs, in additional to leading our adult services department.

Our Behavior Specialists

Learners' Compass behavior specialists provide school/agency supports and mentorship to our colleagues in pursuit of their BCBA/BCaBA.

Benjamin Donson, BCBA

Benjamin is a bilingual Board Certified Behavior Analyst with extensive experience supporting a diverse group of learners, primarily individuals with autism, across private and public programs and schools. His background includes early intervention services (2006–2013), work in the New York City public schools, and serving with Bergen County Special Services (2016–2020). Benjamin is skilled in running highly differentiated social skills groups, ensuring meaningful participation and growth for learners of all abilities.

Cara Gallagher, BCBA

Cara began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2017.  She has experience both in private and public ABA programs including IEA.  She has experience developing quality ABA based school programs as well as home-based programs for learners with Autism.

Carly Francisco, BCBA

Carly Francisco is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been working with individuals with Autism since 2019.  She has provided services at Alpine Learning Group and several other ABA providers in New Jersey.  She has experience in supervising and coordinating home programs, completing skills assessments, designing behavior reduction programs, and parent training.

Deirdre Moon, BCBA

Deirdre is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has worked with learners with autism since 1995. She joined the team at Alpine Learning Group in 1995 as a certified teacher of the handicapped and a case manager. She has provided interventions for youngsters ages 2-21, with varied needs. She currently provides consultative services and therapeutic services in Learners’ Compass outreach ABA programs.

Dianna Maranilli, BCBA

Diana has worked with learners with autism since 1994. She has worked in private and public programs for youngsters ages 2-21, with varied needs. She has presented workshops and provided training programs for professional and non-professional audiences. She provides parent training, staff training, consultative services, and direct services in school and home-based settings. She specializes in severe behavior disorders.

Elenita Elias, BCBA

Elenita received her B.S. from William Paterson University majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology. She received her MA in Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies from Felician University. She has been working in the ABA field since 2019. She has provided services in school, home, and center settings. She has experience in direct instruction, parent training, staff training, and program coordination. 

Elyssa Martino, BCBA

Elyssa is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a BA in psychology and a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She was first introduced to ABA in 2011 as a paraprofessional in a public-school ABA program in Bernards Township. In 2015 she began her working for the private ABA school, IEA. She has experience working with learners from the ages 2-20 years old, coordinating home and school-based programs, developing behavior reduction plans and providing support and training to parents and families.  

Jennifer Cheselka, BCBA

Jennifer is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Analyst-NJ Endorsement, who has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities for over 25 years. She holds New Jersey teaching certifications for preschool through 5th grade, in addition to a Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement. Jennifer has experience implementing services through early intervention as well as through school-based (public and private) and home-based programming. She has also administered assessments to create home-based treatment plans, and provided parent training.

Jessica Williams, BCBA

Jessica is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a career in Applied Behavior Analysis that began in 2015. She has had the privilege of working with children, teens, and young adults ages 2–24 with a variety of needs and diagnoses in both school and home settings. Her background includes working at the Institute for Educational Achievement, providing early intervention and in-home ABA therapy, and most recently supporting students in the public school system through Bergen County Special Services. In addition to her school-based work, she also creates and supervises individualized home programs with a focus on building meaningful skills that foster growth, independence, and long-term success.

Jillian Marchione, BCBA

Jillian holds a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies. Since starting her career in ABA in 2019, she has worked in both school and home-based settings, gaining valuable experience in addressing the unique needs of individuals with Autism. She collaborates closely with families and interdisciplinary teams to create individualized, socially significant, and data-driven interventions.

Kasey McBain, BCBA

Kasey is a BCBA with 17 years of experience helping children reach their full potential through Applied Behavior Analysis. She has worked in private schools, public schools, and in-home settings, supporting kids, families, and teams. Passionate about inclusion, Kasey focuses on creating opportunities for children to thrive, connect, and be valued members of their communities.

Lisa Keller, M.A., BCBA

Lisa is a BCBA, as well as, a certified Teacher of P-3 and a ToSD. Lisa has worked in the field of behavior analysis since 2011. Lisa has a MA in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Autism, as well as, a BA in Family & Child Studies with a Concentration in Early Childhood Education. In addition to teaching for many years in private school programs, such as The Institute for Educational Achievement, she has worked both as a teacher and behaviorist in public schools ABA programs. 

Lisa Pirrello, BCBA

Lisa Pirrello is a bilingual, Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over two decades of experience supporting individuals with autism. Since 2003, she has worked in both public and private settings, including 16 years as an ABA classroom teacher. Lisa also brings expertise in early intervention as a developmental intervention specialist and holds certification as an Orton-Gillingham teacher, bringing a structured, multisensory approach to literacy instruction. Her diverse background allows her to provide comprehensive, individualized support to learners and their families.

Mary D’Amico, BCBA

Mary has provided services to learners with Autism since 1993. She began as a speech therapist and classroom teacher after receiving her BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from East Stroudsburg University in 1991. She completed her Master’s in teaching in 1998 from Leman College and received her BCBA in 2016 from Florida Institute of Technology. She has been providing ABA interventions in schools since 1995. She began her work as an independent contractor and ABA provider in the home and school settings in 2001. She currently provides consultative services and therapeutic services in Learners’ Compass ABA programs. She also provides ABA Toolbox consultation services to districts for ABA curriculum/ program development. 

Maxiell Mercado, BCBA

Maxiell Mercado received her Master’s degree in ABA from Ball State University.  She is a registered behavior technician (RBT) and has been working with individuals with Autism since 2016.  She is an instructor at EPIC, a private school for individuals with autism. She also coordinates home programs and has experience with job coaching.

Meaghan Kelly, BCBA

Meaghan began her career in the field of ABA in 2012 as a paraprofessional and has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2015. She has worked across diverse settings such as public and private schools, outpatient clinics, and home settings supporting children, adolescents, and adults. Her expertise includes working with individuals diagnosed with autism, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and other behavioral challenges. Meaghan is committed to using evidence-based practices to promote socially significant skill development for the individuals and families she serves.

Taylore De Mase, BCBA

Taylore De Mase is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Master’s Degree in ABA and has been working with individuals with Autism since 2016.  She has provided services at private programs such as The Institute for Educational Achievement as well as several other ABA service providers.  Taylore is well versed in supervision and coordination of home programs, assessments, parent training, behavior reduction procedures and school based consultative services.

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