Applied Behavioral Connections provides quality ABA therapy to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Our team is passionate about delivering services based on the latest research supported interventions. We aspire to be great at what we do, and we love doing it. Applied Behavioral Connections values parent involvement and collaboration with other member’s of your child’s treatment team including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and teachers.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide every child with autism an individualized program, delivered with care that is compassionate and employs the research-based methodologies of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Our Team

Applied Behavioral Connections’ Team consists of qualified BCBA-Ds, BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs who are committed to providing quality, individualized ABA services during each therapy session. We work as a collaborative team, maintain a positive culture and passion to help those with autism meet their fullest potential.

Vanessa Fessenden

Clinical Director

Vanessa Fessenden is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D). She has worked extensively with individuals with autism and behavior disorders, providing intervention, designing, implementing, and monitoring behavior analysis programs for clients, parent education, and staff training. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She has a Ph.D. in Special Education with an emphasis in autism and applied behavior analysis (ABA) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Vanessa has been working with children and adolescents with autism for over 15 years. Her experience includes consultation within school districts, clinical based ABA and behavioral services, parent training and coaching, and mentorship of those new to the field of ABA. In addition to providing clinical services, Vanessa is a professor at Ball State University and Arizona State University in which she teaches online ABA courses.

Caroline Kostiuk

BCBA, COBA

Caroline Kostiuk has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for two years and has her certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She completed her Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University and holds a Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from The California University of Pennsylvania. Caroline has worked with children and adolescents from ages 2-18 with autism, providing intervention and designing behavior intervention plans based on the principles of applied behavior analysis. When she is not running circle time with her clients and making silly voices, Caroline enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She loves going shopping, yoga, crafting, and hiking with her Golden Retriever, Lucy!

Abbie Moldovan

BCBA, COBA

Abbie Moldovan graduated from Ohio University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education as an Intervention Specialist, Moderate-Intensive Needs. Abbie was a teacher for 7 years before graduating from Ball State University with a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis. Abbie has experience as a Behavior Analyst working with public schools as a consultant before starting with Applied Behavioral Connections in 2021. Outside of work Abbie is a proud Army wife, loving mother of an incredible daughter, and enjoys baking and reading. Her Hogwarts house is Slytherin and she finds being outside a great way to unwind.

Kristen Maple

Director of Operations

Kristen Maple is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has over eight years of personal and professional experience working to assist individuals with developmental disabilities, Autism, and behavioral concerns. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Linguistics and Communication Studies from Ashford University in 2018 and a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Harvard University in 2021. Kristen has been working with non-verbal children for six years and assists our clients and families in learning how to use voice output devices as alternate forms of communication. She currently holds the Family Life Educator credential and is certified to offer PEERS Social Skill groups. In her spare time Kristen loves traveling to the beach and enjoying local pools/ parks with her family.

Jessica Neading

BCBA, COBA

Jessica has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for three years. She joined the Applied Behavioral Connections team in the spring of 2022 as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Before joining, Jessica was an Intervention Specialist teaching preschool through second grade special education for six years. Jessica has her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from The University of Dayton, her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University. She has experience working with children aged 2-13 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, genetic disorders and specific learning disability. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys being outdoors, running and spending time with her husband and son.

Allison Mason

BCaBA

Allison Mason is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Capella University in 2022. She is currently enrolled in an Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s program at Arizona State University. Allison has two years of experience working with individuals who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Outside of work she loves working with animals and reading novels.

Ashley Horton-Sterlin

BCBA, COBA

Ashley Horton has been working with individuals with Autism since 2005 in the school, home, and clinic settings. She has been a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst through the BACB since 2017 and is a licensed Behavior Analyst in Ohio, Nevada and Arizona. Ashley received her undergraduate degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology while at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her graduate degree is in Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis, through Capella University. She is a graduate level course instructor with Arizona State University and National University’s graduate Applied Behavior Analysis Programs. Ashley continues to provide programming supervision to Registered Behavior Technicians and caregiver training with client’s and their families.