My name is Ana and I am excited to be part of PAT Kids. I am currently a graduate student at A&T University and I am working on my master’s in counseling. My goal is to continue to work with children in counseling. I consider myself to be someone who is optimistic and loves to travel. 

I grew up in southern New Jersey. I started working in the field of behavioral health at age 16. I worked for a summer camp that had an inclusion program for children with autism. I enjoyed watching my camper’s reach new goals and progress. After high school, I went to Millersville University for social work where I obtained my BSW. Throughout college, worked in direct care and social services. I moved back to New Jersey and worked as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher for a school for individuals with special needs and severe behaviors. It was there I discovered ABA therapy and fell in love with the practice. In December 2021, I completed my Masters in ABA at Ball State University. I am currently working on my BCBA supervision to eventually become a BCBA. I am excited for my new career at PAT and to grow as a future BCBA.

My name is Dana Nguyen, and I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in neuroscience from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2021. In my spare time, I like to garden and care for my fish. I hope to attend medical school in the future, and I am excited to include PAT in my journey!

Stacie has been in the ABA field for the last 10 years as an RBT and now as a BCBA. She attended Western Carolina University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and a master’s degree in special education. Stacie’s passion is working with clients in their natural environment, teaching functional communication skills, as well as educating families, encouraging parent participation, and working with other providers to make the biggest impact.

Bio coming soon.

Carla just finished her Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting/Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in New York and Los Angeles. As an advocate for her two sons, who are in the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), whom she and her husband homeschooled in middle school after getting bullied in the public school system; she started making her thesis film about Autism, starring one of her teenage sons, as greenlighted by her Acting Chair, Lynda Goodfriend (yes, Lori Beth Cunningham from Happy Days). Carla’s ultimate goal was to change or break the chains of the old typical film industry norm of casting amid diversity; by hiring real people with disability to give them a chance to represent their disability and themselves. During pre-production, COVID-19 hit, and all in-person film productions across the globe were put on hold for at least 2 years. She ended up going back to her hometown, in Davidson, North Carolina, and became a part of the unexpected first virtual graduation. Being unemployed, did not stop her advocacy in helping special needs children to be heard and reach their potentials or find a cure someday, as she (and her husband) became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Fun fact: she was born and raised in the Philippines, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy. She also served in the US Army stationed in Germany. In her spare time, she enjoys a family movie night, run in the park while feeding the geese, watch the local bands, and making short or feature films.

Ariyana is originally from Florida and moved to NC in 2004. She graduated from UNCC with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is also a licensed esthetician! Ariyana is passionate about being an advocate for mental health. She spends her free time with her two doggies who enjoy watching true crime documentaries and Harry Potter with her. Ariyana also loves painting and listening to music.

Bio coming soon.

My name is Shaquille Edwards. I’m from Richmond, VA. I graduated from Virginia State University with a major in sociology and an minor in philosophy. I have been working with kids with autism and in mental health with kids and adults since January 2019.