about us
Nadya M. Molina
 Nadya M. Molina is the founder and director of Alternative Behaviors, LLC. She has a Bachelor of Elementary Education in Special Education (Mental Retardation) from the University of Puerto Rico, 1990; and a Masters of Special Education in Severe and Profound Disabilities from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 1995. Nadya holds a Commonwealth of Virginia, Postgraduate Professional License in the areas of Emotional Disturbance K-12, Specific Learning Disabilities K-12, Elementary Education PREK-6, Mental Retardation K-12, and Severe Disabilities K-12; and is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Nadya is currently teaching a class at George
Mason University for the ABA Certificate Program.
Nadya knew that she was going to be a Special Education Teacher since the age of 7, growing up with a friend with Down Syndrome. Her friendship to Jorge Guillermety, Jr. was her inspiration to become a teacher. She was a volunteer in a day school for children and adults with a variety of disabilities (i.e., mental retardation, autism, and physical disabilities) from 1987 to 1990. Nadya spent 13 years in the classroom working with the following populations: autism spectrum disorders, emotional disabilities, gifted and talented, learning disabilities, mental retardation, and severe-profound disabilities. She moved to Virginia in 2000 and became an Autism Resource Teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. In 2001 she became an Inclusive Schools Facilitator, and in 2002 one of four Behavior Specialists in Fairfax County Public Schools. In 2004 Nadya created Alternative Behaviors, LLC after many families asked her to help them by conducting functional behavior assessments and creating behavior programs to target their children’s behavioral problems at home.
Many of these parents in need had young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome, and needed help with the transition to adulthood. Nadya has been working with individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome for over a decade. She has also worked extensively with adopted/post-institutionalized children, and has done national and international work and presentations on effective treatments based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis with the post-institutionalized child. She has worked with post-institutionalized children from Eastern Europe, South America, Asia, and domestic.
Nadya has presented workshops and parent trainings in Virginia, Maryland, Indiana, and Iceland; as well as worked with cases from West Virginia, Ireland, Canada, and Iceland. She also received The ARC – Riggs Bank N.A. Educational Leadership Award in June 7, 2001. When Nadya is not working, she loves to spend time with her son and husband. She also likes to spend time with her dog, Beck; loves shopping, watching international movies, and visiting her family in Puerto Rico.
Kelley Martin
 Kelley Martin has worked with children with special needs since 2000 and, since 2004, has focused her work mainly with children with autism spectrum disorders. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology as magna cum laude in 2002 from Lamar University and with her master’s degree in clinical psychology from The American School of Professional Psychology in 2006. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in child and family related challenges, from The American School of Professional Psychology.
She has held externships at the Child Development Program of Children’s National Medical Center, The Treatment and Learning Centers, and Tree of Life Community Public Charter School. Currently, Kelley holds an advanced doctoral externship at HSC Pediatric Center (formerly The Hospital for Sick Children) and works as a research assistant for the Neurobehavioral Unit at Kennedy Krieger Institute. When she’s not working with children or studying for class,
Kelley enjoys hiking in Great Falls, cooking her favorite southern cuisines, going to live concerts and plays, and playing with her cat, Evie. Kelley began working for Alternative Behaviors, LLC in 2005.
Krystyna Bienia
 Krystyna Bienia has worked with children with autism since 1997. Krys graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2001 from Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH and with her Master’s degree in Educational Psychology with a concentration in child/adolescent clinical psychology from Montclair State University in Montclair, NJ.
She is currently completing her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in Arlington, VA. Krys has worked extensively with children of varying special needs as well as post-institutionalized children as an in-home therapist for more than twenty families in NJ, OH, and VA. She was a presenter in Reykjavik, Iceland in September 2006 on the topic of behavior and reinforcement procedures following the Applied Behavioral Analysis model.
She has held externships at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, NJ, St. Vincent Center in Timonium, MD, and DeWitt Army Community Hospital in Ft. Belvoir, VA; providing individual and group therapy, assessments, and treatment planning for the inpatient and outpatient population. She is currently completing her advanced doctoral externship as a mediator for the American Psychological Association/DC Superior Court partnership program. When Krys is not working she likes to travel, play softball, and take photographs. Krys began working for Alternative Behaviors, LLC in 2005.
Christina Hyon-Wynn
 Christina Hyon-Wyn double majored at Bucknell University finishing with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology with a minor in Religion in 2001. Immediately following, she attended Boston University where she received a Master’s Degree in Psychology.
Christina is currently pursuing a doctorate degree (Psy.D.) in the Clinical Psychology program at the American School of Professional Psychology, anticipating a graduation date in 2009. Her interest in children with medical, behavioral, and psychological issues have been longstanding with clinical experiences ranging from working with pediatric cancer patients at John’s Hopkins University Hospital,
completing diagnostic assessments for infants and toddlers at the Developmental Clinic at Children’s National Medical Center, and providing assessment and therapy services to children diagnosed with various disorders such as ADHD, PDD, Autism, and cognitive related disorders at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital. Christina began working for Alternative Behaviors, LLC in 2006.
Heidi Berio
 Heidi Berio has extensive experience working with children with developmental delays and disabilities. Upon completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies at the University of Maryland she was employed at Children’s National Medical Center in the Child Development Clinic, for five years, as an early intervention specialist. This experience inspired her to pursue her Doctoral Degree in clinical psychology to further her ability to provide comprehensive services to children and families. Currently,
Heidi is working towards her Doctoral Degree in clinical psychology, focusing on child and family related concerns, at The American School of Professional Psychology. Heidi earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology in 2006. She received clinical training at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH) as part of her externship requirement.
She conducted psychological evaluations and provided individual and family psychotherapy. During the 2007-2008 academic year Heidi will continue at MWPH as an extern working with the weigh smart program for children experiencing health crises as a result of obesity, feeding day treatment program, and the inpatient hospital unit. She is employed at MWPH as a feeding specialist for children with feeding disorders of infancy and early childhood.
During her leisure time Heidi enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, going to Rock Creek Park with her dogs, traveling, and dining at restaurants specializing in ethnic cuisine. Heidi began working for Alternative Behaviors, LLC in 2006.
Michele A Churchill
 Michele A. Churchill graduated from Bowie State University with a dual degree in Early Childhood/Special Education in 2004. Michele has worked for the Anne Arundel County Public School System for more than a decade in the field of special education;
seven of which were spent working with older children with disabilities ranging from autism to the severely handicapped. The 2007-2008 school year marks Michele’s fourth year as an early childhood intervention teacher. Her primary duties involve teaching preschool children with autism, speech, language and visual impairments,
Down syndrome, and developmental delays with the goal of transitioning students to general education environments. In her spare time, Michele enjoys making jewelry, playing piano and spending time with her two school-age children. Michele began working for Alternative Behaviors, LLC in 2006.
Krystina B. Lechuga
 Krystina B. Lechuga has worked with special needs children for over 5 years. She currently works as a speech technician for Anne Arundel County Public Schools. As a technician, she routinely provides speech services under the supervision of a licensed speech pathologist.
She works with children with a wide range of disabilities including autism, severe and profound handicaps, Down Syndrome, and speech and language impaired. Her caseload includes preschool aged student through age 21. Krystina is currently pursuing her degree in early childhood education with a concentration in special education. In her spare time,
Krystina enjoys spending time with her 3 teenaged children, going to the movies, making crafts, cooking, and playing board games. Krystina began working for Alternative Behaviors, LLC in 2006.
Erin Harlan
 Erin Harlan graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in child development. She then worked in Miami, Florida as a Family Service Counselor with the Department of Children and Families, where she was certified as a Child Protection Professional.
She worked with children who were abused, neglected or abandoned as well as children in foster care and in adoptions. Since 2005, she has been working in the field of Behavior Analysis and will be completing the board exam to be certified as a BCABA in the near future. She has worked with children, adolescents and adults with many disabilities (i.e., MR, OCD, PDD, ED, and Autism). She also has experience with therapeutic horse back riding, and hydro therapy.
Erin grew up in Vail, Colorado where she was a competitive amateur figure skater for 10 years and was professional figure skater for 4 years. She was invited to skate for Walt Disney on Ice in 1997. She also was a competitive snowboarder and ski racer for many years. Erin will begin her master’s degree in 2008 and plans to go on into a doctoral program after completion. When Erin is not working, she loves to travel, play golf and go boating. Erin began working for Alternative Behaviors in 2007.
Mary Lou Marcantuono
 Mary Lou Marcantuono graduated from George Mason University in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She then worked in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia for three years as a Special Education Teacher in an Autism self-contained classroom. She has worked with children with many disabilities (i.e., ADHD, OHI, MR, DD and Autism). Since 2002,
she has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and will be completing the board exam to be certified as a BCABA and receiving her Master's in Special Education in the near future. She has also worked for Fairfax County's therapeutic recreational services as a REC II, which organized the lessons and activities of the day and was responsible for the children with disabilities from the ages of 5 to 12 years of age and staff members.
Mary Lou grew up in Vienna, Virginia where she played baseball for a number of years as a child, then later on ran track and cheered at Madison High School were she competed in Districts in both sporting areas. When not working, Mary Lou enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, playing volleyball and snowboarding. Mary Lou began working for Alternative Behaviors in 2007.
Holly Bennett
 Holly Bennett has been working with students with exceptional needs since 2001. She graduated from James Madison University in 2006 with a B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies and a minor in Special Education. In 2007, she completed her Master of Education Degree from James Madison University in the area of Special Education,
With a concentration in kindergarten through grade 12. Holly holds a Virginia Teaching License in Special Education and has earned endorsements in the areas of learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, and mental retardation. She has taught students in a Fairfax County Preschool Autism program in Centreville, Virginia and has also worked at a residential hospital in Norfolk, Virginia where she delivered instruction to students with severe disabilities and fragile medical conditions.
Holly began working for Alternative Behaviors in 2007. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and new son, as well as her extended family, friends and two dogs. Holly also loves traveling, going to the beach, shopping and reading a good book.
Elizabeth (Beth) Gibson
 Elizabeth (Beth) Gibson has
been working with children with special needs in varying capacities
since 2001.
Beth graduated from the University of Mary Washington in 2005 with a B.A.
in English and a concentration in Education. After graduating she completed
Penn State's Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. Beth is
currently working on her Master's in Special Education with a graduate certificate
in Teaching Students with Autism at George Mason University.
She
is planning on taking the board exam to be certified as a Board
Certified Behavior Analyst in the near future.
Beth worked as an inclusion specialist for Fairfax County Park
Authority for five years accommodating children with special needs
in recreational settings. She
also worked for a therapeutic foster care company for two years,
providing community based interventions and strategies to meet
court appointed goals.
Beth grew up in Springfield, Virginia in
a family of six. She played softball and basketball growing
up and went on to play softball in college. She also likes
snowboarding and doing other outdoor activities with her friends. Beth
has worked for Alternative Behaviors since 2008.
Diana Coffman
Diana Coffman has worked with children with autism spectrum disorders
since 1998. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree
in Home Economics, with emphasis in child and family development,
in 1978 from California State University at Long Beach.
She
completed her master’s degree in Special Education from the
University of Virginia in 2005, and she holds a Virginia State
Teaching Credential with endorsements in Learning Disabilities
and Emotional Disturbances. She is currently working
towards her graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from
George Mason University.
Diana taught in a self-contained classroom for children with autism
in Loudoun County Public Schools for 4 years, and then transferred
to Fairfax County Public Schools as a teacher in the enhanced autism
program. Before moving to Virginia in 1992, she was the assistant
administrator for a state funded child development program in Orange
County, California.
Diana worked with families and their children
from infancy through 6th grade. When she is not working, she enjoys
spending time with her husband, her son, and identical twin daughters
and their husbands. Diana loves to read, cook, tend her roses,
and do crafts. Diana began working for Alternative Behaviors, LLC
in 2008
|
