Liz Lyons Sellinger

Liz Lyons Sellinger, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is the Director of Education and Applied Behavior Services in Connecticut. Liz previously served as a Program Director in the school consultation division at IPPI, providing behavioral and academic consultation to local school districts at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of intervention. In 2010, her team opened the IPPI Learning Academy, where she served as the Director/Chief Administrator for the last 8 years. Dr. Sellinger received her Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi in the area of school psychology with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis. Prior to joining The Institute, Dr. Sellinger provided school consultation services (including school wide positive behavior supports) to a number of schools in the state of Mississippi. In addition, she completed her pre-doctoral internship at the May Institute with a focus in children with autism and children with traumatic brain injury. Her current areas of interest include Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) and performance management at all levels of an organization.

Christina Martinez

Christina Martinez, M.S., is the Project Director of School Partnerships in Connecticut. She is responsible for overseeing the development and expansion of school consultation services. Christina previously served as the Director of Student Services for Regional School District 14, and prior to that, as Special Education Administrator and Director of Pupil Personnel Services, for the Norwalk Public Schools. An experienced and collaborative special education administrator, Christina brings strong program development skills to meet ever evolving student and district needs.

Zbigniew Golonka

Zbigniew Golonka, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is the Director of Behavioral Services in Connecticut. Dr. Golonka, a licensed psychologist, provides behavioral consultation services to a number of Connecticut schools, agencies, and families as well as supervising staff that provides services to children on the spectrum. Dr. Golonka is one of the founders of the Institute's collaborative master's degree program with Fitchburg State University. The degree is designed to provide students with a master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He has taught courses in ABA and supervised students to obtain ABA competencies as identified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Dr. Golonka has taught research, and supervised master's degree projects. His professional experience includes serving as a Behavioral Consultant for Columbus Medical Services, Clinical Supervisor at the Biobehavioral Unit at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, Supervisor of the Neurobehavioral Stabilization Unit of Bancroft Neurohealth in New Jersey. He obtained his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Iowa.

David Gallaway

David Gallaway, Psy.D., BCBA-D, is a Program Director for The Institute in Connecticut. Dr. Gallaway is a licensed clinical psychologist and board certified behavior analyst. For the past 15 years, he has been involved in the development and oversight of intensive education programs for children with autism and developmental disabilities. To date, nearly 400 children from diverse communities and backgrounds have benefited from these programs. Dave is also actively involved in research and dissemination of professional knowledge in the areas of generative language learning and the treatment of challenging behavior. He is a strong advocate for the use of evidence-based interventions in both education and clinical practice. Dave completed his undergraduate work at the University of Connecticut and received his Psy.D. from the University of Hartford.

Danielle Adams

Danielle Adams, M.Ed., BCBA, is a Clinical Coordinator for the Autism Program. Ms. Adams is responsible for curriculum development, staff and parent training in ABA methodology for both school and home programs. She received her Master’s in Education with a focus in Behavior Analysis from a cooperative training program between The Institute and Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts. Ms. Adams' research interests include staff training in applied behavior analysis.

Kathryn Cyr

Kathryn Cyr, M.Ed., BCBA, is a Clinical Coordinator. Kathryn received her Initial Educator Certificate and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University, a Graduate Academic Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas and a Masters of Education from Post University. Her responsibilities include curriculum development, behavior assessments, development of individualized behavior intervention plans, and staff training in ABA. Kathryn's research interests include self-management and the use of Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction for teaching children with autism., M.Ed., BCBA, is a Clinical Coordinator. Kathryn received her Initial Educator Certificate and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University, a Graduate Academic Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas and a Masters of Education from Post University. Her responsibilities include curriculum development, behavior assessments, development of individualized behavior intervention plans, and staff training in ABA. Kathryn's research interests include self-management and the use of Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction for teaching children with autism.

Diane Dean

Diane Dean, M.S., BCBA, is a clinical coordinator for the Autism Program. Diane is responsible for curriculum development, staff training and supervision, ongoing student skills and behavioral assessments. She obtained her Master's in Counseling with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Diane has also been trained by PMT Associates as an in-house Coach of Physical and Psychological Management Training for the Institute. Her areas of interest include matrix training, staff training, cognitive skills instruction, and teaching children to use pronouns.

Trina Sarah Dizon

Trina Sarah Dizon, M.A., BCBA, received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Binghamton University, where she studied applied behavior analysis at the Children's Unit for Treatment and Evaluation. Later she received a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Queens College. Mrs. Dizon is also a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). Formerly a tutor with the Institute for Child Development and a community training specialist with the Young Adult Institute, Mrs. Dizon has experience providing direct service to children and adults with developmental disabilities. With IPPI, she is a clinician for the school-based autism and behavioral programs, completes functional behavioral assessments, and develops and implements behavioral and academic programs.

Patricia Fitzsimons-Austin

Patricia Fitzsimons-Austin, M.S., BCBA, is a Program Director. Patricia has over 18 years experience applying the principles of behavior to special needs populations including children and adults with developmental disabilities and children with significant problem behavior and psychiatric diagnoses. She has authored or co-authored a variety of local and national presentations on the subjects of parent training, staff training, and teaching children with autism. Patty co-authored Parenting Tools for Positive Behavior Change, a 30-hour competency-based parenting curriculum. She has worked in the foster care systems in Florida and Connecticut and was the Director of Behavior Analysis Services at Connecticut Center for Child Development. She received her Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis from University of North Texas. In 2007, she was named Outstanding Alumnus from University of North Texas’ Department of Behavior Analysis. Her current interests include research and practice in parent training, and in effective teaching and generalization of communication, social, and play skills in children with autism.

Heather Gagliardo

Heather Gagliardo, BCaBA, is a Clinical Coordinator in the Autism Program. Heather currently provides academic, social and behavioral consultation to local school districts. She has worked within the field of special education since 1998 within home, clinical, and public school settings. Prior to joining the Institute of Professional Practice, Heather worked at the Carbone Clinic where she learned a variety of effective teaching procedures and programs which utilized B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior. Heather graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Quinnipiac University and became a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2004. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in Special Education and full board certification as a board certified behavior analyst.

Kara Hann

Kara Hann, M.A., BCBA is a Clinical Coordinator for the Autism Program. She received a Masters in Teaching from Sacred Heart University. She graduated with a B.A in Psychology with a Minor in Social Work from Providence College. Kara brings with her more than 12 years of practical hands-on experience in the deliver of ABA services to children on the autism spectrum including program design, curriculum development, and supervision.

Kim Lachowicz

Kim Lachowicz, M.S., BCBA is a Clinical Coordinator providing services in the school consultation program. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Saint Joseph. Currently, Kim provides behavior, social, and academic consultation to local school districts throughout Connecticut. Ms. Lachowicz is responsible for conducting assessments, functional behavior assessments, developing curriculum, the development of individualized behavior intervention plans, and training of school staff.

Bethany Perra

Bethany Perra, M.Ed., BCBA, Clinical Coordinator for the Autism Program. She holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Behavior Analysis from a cooperative training program between The Institute and Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts. Bethany is responsible for curriculum development, FBAs, behavior assessments, the development of individualized behavior intervention plans, staff and parent training in ABA for school based programs and coordinating services across the school and home settings. Her research interests include verbal behavior and the use of Direct Instruction with children on the spectrum.

Mary Polino-Testone

Mary Polino-Testone, M.Ed., BCBA, is a clinical supervisor for the Autism Program. Mary has been with IPPI since 2002 and received her Master's degree in Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis through a cooperative training program with Fitchburg State College. She currently coordinates a school-based autism program conducting assessments, developing curricula and social-behavioral programming, and providing staff and parent trainings. In addition, Mary provides consultative services in the areas of academic, social, behavioral, independent living, and vocational skills for several school districts in Connecticut.

Tamara Shook

Tamara Shook, M.Ed.,BCBA, is a Clinical Coordinator for the Autism Program. Tamara is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She holds a Master’s of Education in Special Needs and Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College. Tamara currently works in school and home based programs. She is responsible for curriculum development, functional behavior assessments, behavior intervention plans, staff and parent training. Tamara has also been trained by PMT Associates as an in-house Instructor of Physical and Psychological Management Training for the Institute. Areas of interest for Tamara include self-management, staff and parent training. Tamara is a professional member of CT Association of Behavior Analysis and Berkshire Association of Behavior Analysis and Therapy.

Erica Smith

Erica Smith, M.S., BCBA, is a Program Director for the Autism Program. She is responsible for coordinating school-based autism services for numerous children across several schools. Erica has many years experience in providing educational service based on applied behavior analysis and is the current president of the Connecticut Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. She received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from Northeastern while working as a case manager/teacher in a home-based program at the New England Center for Children.

Connecticut School & Consultation Professional Staff