Our Staff

The Supervisors and Staff Coordinators at

Helping Hands ABA are not just Practitioners.

Our Head BCBAs are Pioneers in the

world of Autism treatment.

Chana Tilson

Executive Director
PhD., BCBA, IBA

Chana has served as the Program Director of the Hand in Hand Early Childhood Center for the past ten years. She has vast expertise with children and adults with Autism and significant behavioral challenges. To address unmet needs identified by many families, Chana developed and runs Helping Hands ABA P.C. She recently graduated with her PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis and is in the process of publishing research on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Parental Stress, and the effects of Parental Stress on Child Behavior.

Every administrator at Helping Hands ABA has a background in Applied Behavioral Analysis.

All of our staff, from our Billing department, to our Marketing team, has worked with individuals with Autism at one point in their careers.

Sadaf Khawar

Clinical Supervisor

BCBA, NYS-LBA 

Sadaf Khawar holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from University of Houston, a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Houston-Clear Lake, along with a coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst since 2015. Currently, Sadaf is pursuing a PhD. in the Clinical Psychology program at the Department of Psychology, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey. Sadaf has worked with children with developmental disabilities for the past decade in Texas, Ohio and the Tri-State Area. Her areas of expertise include:

  • Parent Training & Parent Wellness
  • Staff Training
  • Social Skills Groups
  • Assessments & Treatment Planning
  • Home, Center-Based & School
  • Consultation
  • Supervision
  • Research

Rachel King

Training Director

BCBA, NYS-LBA 

Rachel King is the Training Director at Helping Hands ABA. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst living and working in New York City. She studied psychology in her undergraduate years at Ball State University and received her Bachelor of Science degree. An interest in therapy and working with children led her to a job upon graduation implementing therapy rooted in the principles of Behavior Analysis at a clinic in Indianapolis, IN. She soon decided to continue her education in the field and earned her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. 

 She has been working with children with autism and related developmental disabilities in Indiana, Ohio, the Tri-state area, and Australia since 2010. She has experience working with individuals aged 2-22 in a variety of environments including schools, clinic-based therapy centers, outpatient centers, community settings, daycares, and homes. Her experience includes in-home direct-care, behavior consultation, parent training and training of senior staff.

 She enjoys collaboration and mentoring other clinicians (and being mentored!) She is passionate about developing innovative training strategies and collaboration with related service-providers. She strives to provide thorough, comprehensive, and compassionate care to her clients and their families.

Odalis Hernandez

BCBA, NYS-LBA

Fellowship Supervisor

Odalis Hernandez is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst. She has her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Queens College where she began her professional career. She has been working with children diagnosed with Autism for over 5 years. She has worked directly with clients in both the clinical and home settings and has transitioned to a supervisory position working closely with Behavior Technicians and Families on how to effectively implement ABA strategies. Odalis’ research interests include:

  • Vocal stereotypy 
  • Motor stereotypy 
  • Eating desensitization
  • Parent training 
  • Social significance of skills across children’s ages and cultural backgrounds 

Grecia Gaviria

BCBA, NYS-LBA

Grecia is a clinical supervisor with over eight years of experience working within different home, educational and clinical settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Master of Science in Psychology with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her most recent roles include supporting and training service providers to understand evidence-based practice while approaching the learner, the family, and the community from a strength-based model. Grecia integrates cultural awareness practices into service delivery, supervision, and professional development, staying sensitive to each learner’s support level needs.  She strives to create an emotionally safe learning environment for all types of learners.
Grecia is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Dominique M. Algieri

BCBA, NYS-LBA

Dominique is a Certified Special Education Teacher, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst residing in Mahopac, NY. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in Psychology and a Dual Master’s Degree in General and Special Education from Touro College. Dominique received her BCBA certificate from Florida Institute of Technology in 2019. She has worked within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2008 where she started as a behavior technician. Dominique has experience as a Special Education School Coordinator, a Pre-Kindergarten Special Education Teacher and working with children with ASD in home and in school settings, ranging from the ages of 18 months to 18 years old. Currently, Dominique is pursuing a certificate as a Clinical Trauma Specialist from Trauma Institute International.

Edita Erlikh

BCBA, NYS-LBA

Edita Erlikh is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst. Since 2009, Edita has been working in the fields of Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education in school, center and home-based settings. She holds B.S. in Psychology from the University of Latvia, M.S. in Teaching from Fordham University, and completed the ABA Online Program from Florida Institute of Technology.

She specializes in a range of services including behavior assessments, personalized treatment plans carefully aligned to IEP, behavior plans and parent/staff training. Through diligence, empathy, thoughtful collaboration, attention to detail and continuous learning, Edita strives to partner with the team of professionals and her clients to unlock the tremendous potential within each learner and create positive and lasting changes in their lives.

Edita has been living in the NYC metro area for nearly 20 years and deeply values the cultural diversity, innovative and resilient attitudes of dedicated professionals and families as well as the natural beauty of the region – all of which never cease to recharge and inspire.

Diana Popovich

Clinical Supervisor

BCBA, NYS-LBA

Diana is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst residing in Pawling, NY. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY New Paltz in Communication Disorders and a Master’s Degree in ABA and Autism. She received her BCBA certification in 2020, and LBA in 2021. She has worked within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2017 where she started as a behavior technician in a clinic. Diana has experience working with children and adolescents with ASD in clinics, and in home, ranging from the ages of 18 months to 18 years old. She has experience in individual therapy and social skills groups using the AIM curriculum that emphasizes ACT. Diana strives to be an empathetic, mindful and supportive supervisor and team member. 

Shui Fier

Marketing Strategist

ABA Instructor

Shui is a Brilliant and Resourceful member of the Helping Hands ABA team. He holds a Bachelors of the Arts degree in Psychology and has a background in Film and Advertising. He began working in the field of special education in high school. Shui has worked for numerous organizations, helping to improve the lives of individuals with Autism. From leading a division of a special needs camp, to coordinating integrated summer traveling programs for individuals on the Autism spectrum, Shui he has over 5 years of experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Adina Tilson

HR Supervisor
ABA instructor

Adina is the HR specialist of the Helping Hands ABA team. She is responsible for onboarding staff and upholding quality assurance. Born and bred in Australia, Adina’s experience working with children with special needs began at a young age. She was an active volunteer at The Friendship Circle of Melbourne, an organization which serves to provide friendship and support to individuals with special needs. When she moved to the States, Adina served as the Friendship Circle’s full-time program director for their San Diego branch. Adina is working toward her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Kimberly Torres

Advocacy Coordinator

MSW

Kimberly Torres holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from Fordham University and a Master of Social Work Degree in Clinical Social Work from Columbia University. Kimberly has a background in using Trauma-Informed Client Centered Social Work Skills with Children, Older Adults and Families. She is responsible for upholding Family and Staff support and quality assurance. She is also responsible for creating community connections and providing resources for our families and staff. Kimberly’s experience with neurodiverse children began at home. Her brother was a client of Helping Hands ABA. Kimberly is pursuing her License in Social Work in New York. She is compassionate, caring, and ready to provide for our families.