About

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.

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.

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.

Elise graduated from Malone University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in middle school education- mathematics and science. She went on to become an instructional aide at Red Line Advocacy, an alternative placement school for kids with disabilities. Elise taught at the school for 3 years before joining the team at Applied Behavioral Connections as an RBT. While in graduate school at Kent State University, Elise was an intern at ABC for 2 years. Upon graduation, Elise became a BCBA in 2023.
Elise is dedicated to supporting her clients’ needs while encouraging growth. She understands that the foundation of sustainable behavioral change comes from connection and trust. She enjoys collaborating with parents to assist with growth across all areas of her client’s lives.
Outside of work, Elise spends time outside hiking, crafting, and playing with her two cats.

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 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 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.

Christine Fessenden is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst
who has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for four years. She
completed her Bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Colorado
and has a Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied
Behavior Analysis (ABA) from Arizona State University. She has experience
working with children aged 3-18 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder,
oppositional defiant disorder, and trauma. When not busy with work, Christine
enjoys gardening, painting, traveling to new places, and spending time
with her daughter, cats, and husband.

My name is Jodi Chumita and I am a mom to a wonderful 20 year old. I live in Akron near Portage Lakes with 1 dog and 2 cats. I love brain games (sudoku, crossword puzzles, etc.), watching all things Mystery (tv shows, movies, documentaries) and I’m also involved in building sets for a community theater group in Tallmadge.

I have an undergraduate degree in Child Life with a minor in Child Development. I have recently obtained a Masters certification as a BCaBA (Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst). I have close to 15 years experience working with children with ASD. Formerly, I worked as a teaching assistant at a school located in Fairlawn with students aged 6-18 with ASD. This is where I fell in love with this type of work, especially ABA therapy! I moved on to working in a clinic setting – which further increased my passion for working with kids on the spectrum. I have been with Applied Behavioral Connections for close to 3 years now. The staff here really encouraged me to pursue higher education which brings me to where I am today.