Meet Our Staff

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Services

Olivia Walter, MA, BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Olivia is a BCBA with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Education in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati. Prior to working in the field of ABA, she worked in a clinical research setting with children and adults on the autism spectrum, as well as various developmental disabilities. She has a passion for creating a comfortable and encouraging learning environment for all children and creating meaningful change in families’ lives.

Madison Andreu, MA., BCBA, LBA

Clinical Quality Director

Madison is a BCBA with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Healthcare with a minor in ABA and a Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis with a certification in Positive Behavior Supports from the University of South Florida. She also received a post-graduate certificate in Organizational Behavior Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. She has over 10 years of experience in the ABA field with additional experience in teaching. She has provided services to individuals of all ages- in family and group homes, adult day programs, clinics, and school districts.

Tajoi J. Dawkins, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Tajoi is a BCBA licensed in the State of Maryland with a Bachelors of Health Science with a specialization in Rehabilitative Services from the University of Florida and a Masters of Exceptional Student Education from the University of West Florida. She has over 10 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, in-patient Behavioral/Mental Health services, and Child Welfare. She is of Jamaican descent and proudly provides support to families of the Caribbean diaspora with keen cultural competence. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and nurturing her hobby in landscape photography.

Kimberly Friedman, MA., BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Kim is a BCBA with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Towson University, a Master of Arts in Special Education from Towson University, and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State. She previously has worked as a special education teacher for the past five years and has teaching certificates in Special Education, Middle School Science, and Health Education in the states of Maryland and Delaware.

Edy Glines, MS., BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Edy is a BCBA with a bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University. She was a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and provided direct ABA therapy to children for 3 years before becoming a BCBA. She is proud to have a Hispanic culture to provide support to Hispanic and Spanish speaking families. He has worked with children as young as 2 years and adults in group homes, but my true passion is working with children and her goal is to see them graduate from the program.

Zhihao Ou, MS., BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Zhihao graduated from the prestigious Florida Institute of Technology, specializing in autism treatment. Under the guidance of renowned professionals, Dr. David Wilder and Dr. Kimberly Sloman, he gained extensive knowledge at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment. With an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care, Zhihao remains at the forefront of evidence-based practices in the field. His passion for continuous learning and growth ensures that he stays abreast of the latest research and therapies for autism. Beyond his work, he enjoys traveling and practicing Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). This combination of diverse interests enables him to maintain a balanced lifestyle and approach his work with a fresh perspective.

Lisset Riera, MS., BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Lisset is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a Masters in Psychological Prevention and Intervention in Deviant Behavior at School with a specialty in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from the International University of Valencia. She attended the Florida Institute of Technology for her studies in ABA. Prior to her graduate coursework, Lisset graduated Summa Cum Laude at Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. She is a bilingual analyst, eager to continue learning and to grow within the field. Using her experience in theater and ABA, Lisset enjoys working on social skills and promoting communication. Her biggest commitment is to the betterment of those who she provides service for.

Jamie Schneider, MA., BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Jamie obtained her bachelor’s degree from Lewis Clark State College in Elementary education with an endorsement in special education. She graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in applied behavior Analysis. Prior to coming to Global Center for Autism Services I was working as a special education teacher with students in grades K-12. She grew up and live in North Idaho with her husband and three children in a mini farm.

Aldrin Tan, MS, BCBA, LBA

Center Director (Downtown)

Aldrin graduated with academic distinction from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Philippines. He had extensive training working with children on the spectrum and have established verbal communication, cooperative behaviors, and problem behavior management for years. Aldrin communicates in Tagalog, English, and a little bit in Spanish. On his free time, he enjoys singing karaoke.

Dominique Martinez, MS, BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Dominique is a BCBA with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in ABA from Florida International University in Miami, FL and completed a speech language pathology coursework certificate from the University of Nebraska. She also received a Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis with a certification in Positive Behavior Supports from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL before becoming a BCBA. Dominique has over 10 years of ABA experience in a wide variety of settings. Her passions include early intervention, communication, and parent training. Dominique is also bilingual in Spanish and English.

Muhammad Tehseen, MS Ed., BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Tehseen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credentialed as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in the state of Maryland. He specialized in special education with a post-graduate certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the Florida Institute of Technology. He has more than 5 years of experience working with children on the autism spectrum and related disabilities as a licensed educator, who passionately works with children from diverse cultural backgrounds. Tehseen acquired clinical skills, competency, and supervision from the Autism Resource Center related to the school setting. While working with neurodivergent children, he believes in the words of Dr. Temple Grandin’s: “I am different, not less,” and Naoki Higashida’s: “Everybody has a heart that can be touched by something.”.

Justina Thomas, MA, BCBA, LBA

Supervising BCBA

Justina is a BCBA with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Justina has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 10 years with almost 5 of those years as a BCBA working in various clinics and settings with clients ranging from 0-24 years of age. Justina’s passion is equipping families and communities with everything they need to navigate the world of Autism through parent training workshops and developing parent training curriculum individualized for families. In her free time, Justina enjoys traveling with her family!

Occupational Therapy Services

Kendra Plummer, MS, OTR/L

Coordinating Occupational Therapist

Kendra is an Occupational Therapist with a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Howard University. She previously worked as a contractor Occupational Therapist for District of Columbia Public Schools for 7 years. She has a passion for working with Autistic children and helping them maximize independence in their meaningful occupations. In her free time she loves visiting friends and family, training to compete in bodybuilding competitions and engaging in recreational bowling.

Speech and Language Services

Amy L. Perkins, MS, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

She worked as a Traveling Speech Therapist and served multiple populations in the school systems of Maryland, DC, Michigan and Georgia. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Howard University, then followed up with her Master’s in Speech Pathology at Howard as well. While she enjoys working with all children, Amy is passionate about working with preschool and school-aged children. Her research interests include developmental language disorders in children with ASD, and multidisciplinary service models.

Juveria B. Thasthahir, M.S. CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

As a certified Speech-Language Pathologist from New York, Juveria holds a Master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology) and a Bachelor’s degree in Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology. Her profound passion lies in enhancing communication for individuals with autism, rooted in personal experiences and nurtured by professional encounters. Prior to and during her journey in Speech-Language Pathology, she worked as a Behavior Technician, where she developed an affinity for the common ground both fields share in improving communication for the ASD population outside of her profession. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys reading books, drinking tea and taking trips with her family.

Meet Our Administration Team

Salvador E Tan, Ph.D.

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Tan has a Bachelor of Science in Education and graduate degrees in Business Administration, Special Education and Psychology from the Philippines. He has postgraduate studies in Leadership and Administration. He has extensive experience as a teacher in both General Education and Special Education settings in the United States and abroad. He has been a professor on both graduate and undergraduate levels. Currently, he is a certified teacher in Special Education, Biology and Psychology in the state of Maryland. He serves as a program lead in one of the high schools’ autism programs in Maryland public school.

Henry E Tarroza, Ph.D.

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Tarroza has undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and Psychology, master’s and doctoral degrees in Special Education. He earned his post graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Penn State University and has completed his certificate in human resource management and diploma in organizational development. Dr. Tarroza has taught kindergarten to graduate students and has teaching certifications in Special Education, General Education and Psychology in the state of Maryland. Currently, he is a social skills teacher in an autism high school program. He has over twenty years of working experience in both the corporate and academic worlds.

Mary-Claire “Marcy” DiMiceli, MS, BCBA, LBA

Director of Operations

Mary-Claire “Marcy” DiMiceli is a graduate adjunct professor of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who holds a dual master’s degree in General and Special Education from Fordham University. She has a wide range of experience with over 22 years in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in a variety of settings with clients of all ages, demographics and abilities. Outside of work, Marcy enjoys traveling, yoga and spending time with her family.

Jesenia Diaz, BS

Office Manager

Jes is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Townson University, Maryland. She is now enrolled in Master of Arts in Psychology, major in Applied Behavioral Analysis in Perdue Global University. She is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Prior to joining GCAS, Jes has been an office manager of a Physical Therapy company.

Marta Baires

Executive Assistant

Marta graduated from Prince George’s Community College with an Associate Degree in General Studies with concentration in Health and Science. She is currently enrolled in the University of Maryland Global Campus for her bachelor’s degree in laboratory management. She started at GCAS as front desk then got her RBT certification. Currently, she is the executive assistant to the CEO and COO. She enjoys spending quality time with her nephews and nieces and loves to explore new places and going to concerts.