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Melaura Erickson-TomainoCo-Founder and Principal, Ph.D., BCBA-D
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Edward MiguelCo-Founder and Principal, MA, EdD, BCBA
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Ximena Rivera
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Victoria Pellegrino
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Terri Lee Wallace
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Sarah Elliott
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Roxanne Bentancourt
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Rafael Barragan
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Linda ChewNurse
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Melissa Burchell
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Megan Clarry
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Mario Rodriguez
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Lindsay Shepard
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Lianne Azuaje
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Lauren Villasenor
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Jessica Davalos
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Jessica Bonifacio
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Hannah Rea
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Erica Reyes
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Daisy Hufford
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Claire Wagner
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Brianna Josey
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Briana Farrell
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Bianca Sanchez
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Anna Stevens
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Alyssa Roman
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Alexandra Gould
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Sarah Ann Kagawa-PurohitAssistant Principal of Behavior-Analytic Programs
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Bryanna PongraphanClinical Classroom Support Supervisor, BCaBA
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About
Melaura Erickson-Tomaino, Ph.D., is the Co-Founder and Principal of Port View Preparatory® School. Her prior positions include Director of Clinical Services for Beacon Day School in La Palma, CA, and Behavior Program Supervisor for the Center for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Service in San Diego, CA. Dr. Tomaino has more than 13 years of experience in serving students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Tomaino has conducted extensive research in ASD with a focus on using communication as the basis for successful teaching and behavior strategies to eliminate the use of restraint in children with autism. Dr. Tomaino has been an Assistant Professor in the School of Counseling/Psychology at Azusa Pacific University, and has taught numerous graduate courses at Claremont University. She has published multiple articles.Education
Dr. Tomaino received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2002, a master’s degree in clinical psychology from California State University, Fullerton in 2007, and a Ph.D. in applied developmental psychology from Claremont Graduate University in 2011. She was qualified as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board in 20100 and became a licensed psychologist in 2017 (PSY 29562).Honors and Awards
- SABA Student Presenter Grant, Association for Behavior Analysis International, 2010
- Dean's Fellowship, for outstanding work in research and academics as a first-year graduate student, Claremont Graduate University, 2008
- Fellowship Recipient, Claremont Graduate University, 2007-2009
- Scholarship, for outstanding academic achievement, Tylenol Foundation, 1998
Affiliations
- California Association for Behavior Analysis, 2008 – present
- Society for Research in Child Development, 2009 – present
- Association for Behavior Analysis, 2008 – present
- Sigma Xi, 2009 – present
Presentations
- “Reducing Severe Challenging Behaviors Without Restraint: An Examination of Non-Invasive Behavior Analytic Supports.” CEU Presentation, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference, Honolulu, HI. (October, 2014)
- “Teaching conversation to children with autism: A parent implemented script procedure.” “Minimizing the Research to Practice Gap in Autism Treatment Research.” Symposium at Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Convention, Seattle, WA. Tomaino, M.E., M.H. Charlop, Chair (May, 2012)
- “An analysis of the effects of PECS training on vocalizations in children with limited speech.” “Assessing the Picture Exchange Communication System across the lifespan: An evaluation of PECS generalization and concomitant increases in vocalizations.” Symposium at Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX. Erickson, M.A., Greenberg, A.L., & Charlop, M.H., Chair. (May, 2010)
- “Evaluating generalization of the Picture Exchange Communication System in children with autism.” “Assessing the Picture Exchange Communication System across the lifespan: An evaluation of PECS generalization and concomitant increases in vocalizations. Symposium at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX. Greenberg, A.L., Erickson, M.A., & Charlop, M.H. (May, 2010)
- “An analysis of parents' use of evidence-based treatments in four different populations.” “Parents' adoption of evidence-based treatments for their children with autism.” Symposium at the California Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Convention, Irvine, CA. Erickson, M.A., Berquist, K., & Charlop, M.H. (February, 2010)
- “Is evidence based treatment important to parents of children with autism? A comparison of CAM use between parents of children with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome. In D. B. Malmberg (Chair). “Evaluating interventions available for children with autism: The Importance of Evidence Based Treatments.” Symposium at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Convention, Scottsdale, AZ. Erickson, M.A., Berquist, K., & Charlop, M. H. (May, 2009)
- “Does the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) result in speech acquisition? An assessment of language development in children learning to communicate with PECS. In D. B. Malmberg (Chair). “Using Visual Strategies to Promote the Acquisition of Communication and Social Skills of Children with Autism.” Symposium at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Convention, Chicago, IL. Erickson, M. A., Greenberg, A.L., & Charlop-Christy, M. H. (May, 2008)
- “Is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Functional? An Assessment of PECS Generalization. In D. B. Malmberg (Chair). “Using Visual Strategies to Promote the Acquisition of Communication and Social Skills of Children with Autism.” Symposium at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Convention, Chicago, IL. Greenberg, A.L., Erickson, M.A., Charlop-Christy, M.H. (May, 2008)
Publications
- “Social Skills: What are they and how are they taught at the Claremont Autism Center?” Charlop, M.H. & Tomaino, M.E. (Manuscript in press)
- “Teaching conversation to children with autism: Assessment of the efficacy of a parent-implemented script procedure” Tomaino, M. E. & Charlop, M.H. (2011)
- “Assessing generalization of the Picture Exchange Communication System in children with Autism,” Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 24, 539-558. doi: 10.1007/s10882-012-9288-y. Greenberg, A. L., Tomaino, M. E., & Charlop, M.H. (2012)
- “Adapting the Picture Exchange Communication System to Elicit Vocalizations in children with Autism,” Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. doi: 10.1007/s10882-013-9344-2. Greenberg, A. L., Tomaino, M. E., & Charlop, M.H. (2012)
- “Social Skills: What are they and how are they taught at the Claremont Autism Center?” Charlop, M.H. & Tomaino, M.E. (Manuscript in press)
- “Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comparison to Children with Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and No Diagnosis.” Tomaino, M.E., Berquist,K. & Charlop, M. H. (Manuscript in preparation)
- “Increasing Vocabulary through Question-asking for Children with Autism.” Charlop, M.H., Le, L., Tomaino, M.E. (Manuscript in preparation)preparation)
Personal
Dr. Tomaino spends her free time playing with and caring for her two children. She loves to cook and volunteer at the preschool when she is not at Port View Prep. When she needs to decompress you can find her running or at pilates.About
Edward Miguel, EdD, is the Co-Founder and President of Port View Preparatory® School. He was the Chief Operating Officer and Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Beacon Day School in Orange County, where he was responsible for all internal operations. Prior to that, he was the Assistant Director of the Olive Crest Academy, Therapeutic Education Centers, a private school for secondary students. His responsibilities included the evaluation and implementation of a positive behavior intervention program. Dr. Miguel has spent his entire career serving individuals with special needs. He has worked in a variety of settings including domestic violence shelters, residential treatment centers, group homes, and non-public schools. He has extensive experience in special education administration, organizational development, special education instruction, and applied behavior analysis. Dr. Miguel brings his leadership skills to Port View Preparatory® in an effort to participate in the mission of discovering and providing a quality educational program that fits each individual student's strengths, needs, interest, and lifestyle.Education
Dr. Miguel received his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from National University in 2008. He also holds a master’s degree in teaching with specialization in applied behavior analysis from National University, 2012. He became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board in 2013. He recently earned his doctorate of education at Fielding Graduate University.Honors and Awards
Affiliations
California Association for Behavior Analysis, 2010 – present Association for Behavior Analysis, 2008 – presentPresentations
“Reducing Severe Challenging Behaviors Without Restraint: An Examination of Non-Invasive Behavior Analytic Supports.” CEU Presentation, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference, Honolulu, HI. (October, 2014)Publications
- "The Dynamics and Ramifications of Severe Challenging Behavior: Daring to reduce challenging behavior in schools without physical restraint and seclusion (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest. (11030) (2016)
Personal
Dr. Miguel spends his time away from Port View Prep with his family and keeps busy with projects around the house. Dr. Miguel also trains extensively in responding to severe challenging behaviors on his own time, focusing on fitness, self-awareness, and the management of aggressive behaviors.
Lisa Odendaal received her Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Studies from Cal State University Fullerton. Lisa began working with students with disabilities as an instructional aide for mainstreamed students for Anaheim Union High School District in their Resource Specialist Program (RSP) and has been in the non-public school setting taking on various roles since 2010. Lisa began her career in the non-public school setting as a behavior interventionist in the classroom setting. This is where she gained a true passion for working with students with disabilities. Lisa’s background in bookkeeping is what brought her into an administrative role in the non-public school setting. Lisa has been serving as a liaison between the school districts and the non-public school, as well as an administrative assistant since 2011. She enjoys being a valuable resource and support to our students and their families, staff and the school districts that we serve.
Chad Lolmaugh has over 10 years of experience working with students with disabilities ranging from mild to severe disabilities. Eight of those years were working in a non-public school setting and 2 of those years were working in a group home setting where Chad has been able to work with a variety of students as well as with other professionals in the field. Chad has received his Registered Behavior Technician Credential as well as training related to the reduction of severe challenging behavior without restraint. At Port View Preparatory®, Chad oversees the safety of students on transportation as well as on site. For Chad, the best part of working with our students is seeing the positive changes in a student’s behavior and life with the help of individualized programs to meet the student’s needs.
Ashley graduated from Hope International University in 2008 with a degree in Psychology. She has been working in the field of special education ever since. Her background includes in home therapy, the classroom environment, and administration. She first came to Port View Preparatory® in January 2016 as a CSP and is now working as our Administrative Assistant. She has a passion for helping others and a niche for being organized. Ashley enjoys reading and going to the theatre in her free time.
Isis Andrade received her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in animal assisted therapy and special education and a minor in child development from Cal State University Monterey Bay. She went on to receive a Masters of Science in Special Education as well as her level 2 teaching credential in special education in moderate/severe disabilities. She has been working in the classroom setting for the past 7 years, collaborating with other professionals in creating programs that are individualized to meet each student’s specific needs. She has gotten the opportunity to work closely with institutions is Brazil, consulting with the directors of the programs to improve the quality of their programs. She has a true passion for teaching and believes in creating an environment where students feel safe, loved and respected. For Isis, the best part of being a teacher is being a part of these amazing student’s lives everyday.
Kevin is a licensed Speech and Language Pathology Assistant who received his Associate of Science degree from Orange Coast College. He found his passion for working with students with special needs while volunteering his time in his wife’s SDC classroom in 2009. It was there that he was empowered with the belief and desire to change lives. While pursuing his degree he worked as an instructional aide for the Early Childhood Learning Center in Irvine gaining experience and knowledge in a full inclusion setting. He is married with a three year old son, Holden.
Ashley Haggerty earned her Bachelors of Arts in History from San Francisco State University. After graduating from college, Ashley decided to coach youth basketball while furthering her education. Her passion for helping children learn and build self-esteem led her to pursue a career in special education. Ashley went on to work in the classroom at the middle school and high school levels for three years. Currently, Ashley is working as an Education Specialist Intern in order to complete a Masters of Science degree as an Education Specialist, as well as a teaching credential in mild/moderate disabilities. She is very happy to be a part of our team, and she looks forward to watching her students excel academically and socially.
About
Sarah Ann Kagawa-Purohit is a Assistant Principal of Behavior-Analytic Programs who has been working in the field for 7 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. During her undergraduate career, she worked as an after-school program director. Upon graduating, she began working as a behavior interventionist for various profit and non-profit agencies that provided services for children in both the home and school settings.
Sarah continued her academic development by concurrently obtaining her Masters of Science-Counseling with an option in Applied Behavior Analysis at California State University Los Angeles, after which she passed the BCBA certification exam and was promoted to a supervisory role. She possesses an innate passion for her work with children that stems from her childhood relationships. Sarah is especially interested in the topic of interpersonal communication and social skills, due to its tremendous impact on an individual’s ability to integrate with society and maintain quality of life. She enjoys spending her time exploring new hiking trails and different types of restaurants with her husband.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
09/29/2015 and 05/30/2016: Overview of the Functional Behavior Assessment Process and the Translated Indirect Functional Assessment Interview – Japanese for ABAI’s Eighth International Conference in Kyoto, Japan/ ABAI’s 42nd Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois
Caitlin (“Caity”) McGinley is a Clinical Classroom Support Supervisor at Port View Preparatory®. She has been working in the special education field since 2007, working both with students in the school setting and individuals and their families in the home setting. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from California State University-Fullerton in 2010, and received her certificate in Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. She became a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2014, and joined the Behavior Team at Port View Preparatory in Spring of 2016. Caity enjoys spending time with her husband and son, watching movies, and trying new restaurants.
Bryanna joined the Behavior Team at Port View Preparatory® as a Clinical Classroom Support Supervisor in March 2017. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California, and entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2008 as an in-home behavior therapist for individuals with developmental disabilities. Bryanna earned her Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst certification in 2013. She has extensive experience in Pivotal Response Treatment and is passionate about addressing functional communication skills with the population she serves. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, hiking, and traveling
Herlinda joined the Port View Preparatory® Crew as a CSP in September 2014 and is now an Administrative Assistant. She is bilingual and assists as an interpreter for our families. She has always had a passion for working with children and enjoys creating a safe and positive environment for each of our students. To Herlinda, the most rewarding part of her job is helping our kids reach their full potential. When she is not at Port View Prep, she enjoys spending time with family, especially her nephews and niece.
Lori Spear OTR/L has been with Port View Preparatory® since its establishment and has 30 years of experience working with children from infancy through young adults. She has extensive experience and advanced studies in the treatment of sensory processing disorders, feeding deficits, fine motor deficits and other developmental delays. Ms. Spear also has a substantial background and special interest in meaningful transition from school to community living. Ms. Spear has worked in various school districts, county programs and specialized non-public schools. She believes strongly in providing parents with techniques and support to carry over at home for a student’s optimal progress.
Maria Swanson holds a dual credential in both Multiple Subjects and Mild/Moderate education. She attended Capital University in her hometown state of Ohio. In addition Maria recently received her Autism Authorization from Alliant University. Maria will be starting her a Master's program in the winter, in order to further her education in the field of special education. Maria has worked in the field of education for the past 7 years and has experience working with a variety of students of various backgrounds. She has been a part of the Port View Preparatory® for almost two years. Maria says the best part about working at Port View Prep is “the amazing students and facility. I love seeing the kids grow both intellectually and socially every day. I love making opportunities for the students to learn in a fun and welcoming setting. I am so lucky to work in such a supportive and caring environment.” Maria enjoys spending time with her husband, exploring new hiking trails and being outside.
Born December 16, 2016, Oliver joined the Port View Preparatory® team February 29th, 2016. Oliver’s role is to not only be a playful and loving friend but to also help students when they are upset or just having a difficult day. Oliver also attends IEP’s and training so that he can better help the students that he serves. As Oliver grows up, he will learn more skills and hopes to one day become a specialized interventionist! Oliver loves to lick, chase, and be petted.
