Staff Bios

Jaime Nicklas, M.S., BCBA
Educational Director
Jaime holds a Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. She has 14 years experience working with children diagnosed with Autism utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. She was a Clinical Supervisor for the Lovaas Institute for over 3 years and has consulted privately in the New York area. She served as a board member for the Brooklyn Autism Center Academy for 2 years prior to the school opening in September 2007. Jaime has been an instructor, workshop leader and ABA clinic supervisor for the Lovaas Institute.

Ray Cepeda, BCaBA
Executive Direcetor
Ray Cepeda is the Executive Director of the Brooklyn Autism Center. He gained his initial experience under the tutelage of consultants trained by Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas.  After being hired by the Institute, he became a Workshop Leader and was subsequently promoted to Clinic Supervisor. During his time with the Lovaas Institute Mr. Cepeda was instrumental in establishing a Lovaas Institute satellite office in South Orange, NJ where he supervised and trained a number of ABA therapists to implement the Lovaas model of applied behavior analysis. He has had over seventeen years experience supervising home-based programs, functioning in administrative roles in schools that specialize in the education and treatment of children with autism, consulting with school-based programs, integrating and mainstreaming learners with autism into typical learning environments, training parents, and speaking on topics regarding the use of behavior analytic teaching methodologies and program individualization for children with autism.  Mr. Cepeda is also a member of the Human Rights Committee for the New York Center for Autism Charter School.

Joseph Ricca, B.S.
Behavioral Instructor
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Cortland. He has five years of experience using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and three years of experience working with children with autism. He has worked in public schools as a reading instructor for children with learning disabilities and has created multiple fundraisers for children with pervasive developmental disorders.

Lhea Marie Welsh, B.A.
Behavioral Instructor
Lhea holds Bachelors of Art Degrees in English & Theatre from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has 3 years experience working with children diagnosed with Autism in a variety of environments. Lhea has been instructing at the Brooklyn Autism Center just over one year and works with Joe to make the "BAC Friends" peer socialization afterschool program the exciting and enriching program it is. Lhea LOVES sunshine!

Jacqueline Vidopio, B.A.
Behavioral Instructor
Jacqueline has three years of experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. She has worked as a behavioral therapist in home and classroom settings for private and public schools in California. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Azusa Pacific University.

Talia Eapen, B.A.
Behavioral Instructor
Talia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Media Arts from the State University of Stony Brook. She completed coursework in Applied Behavioral Analysis while earning her degree. During that time she worked with children and pre-teens as Assistant Director of Religious Education for four years. She is interested in continuing her education in speech pathology.

Deborah Lewis, LMSW, B.A.
Behavioral Instructor
Deborah holds a Master of Social Work degree from Hunter College, where she specialized in working with children and adolescents. During her studies, she worked at a public inner-city high school, providing individual and group counseling to students with a range of special needs. She received her Bachelor's degree from The New School in New York City, where she majored in Psychology and Art, and specialized in Creative Arts Therapy. She plans to continue working with children and adolescents by pursuing a career in art therapy.

Katie Polizzi, B.A
Behavioral Instructor
Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Queens College. While earning her degree she had worked with children diagnosed with Autism in home and recreational settings. Her six years of experience working with children with Autism has steered Katie to further her schooling in the area of education.

Matthew Willings, B.A.
Behavioral Instructor
Matthew has a Bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Stony Brook University, and an Associate’s degree in Childhood Education from Jamestown Community College. He previously worked for two years in a residential setting as a direct care counselor for children with developmental disabilities. He also has experience student teaching in a middle school and volunteering in a theater program serving children with developmental disabilities.

Maude E. Wiltshire, M.A.
Behavioral Instructor
Maude holds a Master of Arts degree in Art and Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has taught art at many different grade levels in both school and museum settings. She directed an after school arts program in California where she designed an art curriculum that was published for the Pasadena public school system, art department. Her experience with children with autism began during graduate school and has allowed her to work several years in special education. At BAC, Maude not only works as a behavioral instructor, she also teaches the Art Studio program held on Fridays.

Kate McAvoy, B.A.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The University of Massachusetts. She has five years of experience teaching infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in daycares throughout Western Massachusetts and New York City. She is excited to be learning Applied Behavioral Analysis and to be part of the BAC family.

Laura Vert, B.A.
Administrative Manager
Laura has a Bachelor’s degree in English and American Literature from New York University. She worked in marketing and social media before deciding to pursue a career in the non-profit sector. She is currently working towards a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Baruch College CUNY School of Public Affairs.

Dariush Mirbaha
Data Entry Assistant
Dariush graduated from Midwood High School in Brooklyn, New York. He has 4 years experience with computers, internet and is skilled in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Dariush is also studying HTML and creating web pages. In his spare time Dariush enjoys editing and learning about ninjas.