Instructors – ABA Training Center

AUTISM CORE KNOWLEDGE

Dr. Anthony Paul Guerrero M.D.

Anthony P. S. Guerrero, M.D. is Professor and Residency Program Director and Director of the Division of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine.

He is board certified in the three specialties of medicine that he practices: general pediatrics, general psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry. He completed college, medical
school, and residency/fellowship training at the University of Hawai‘i.

He currently serves as chair of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section of the World Psychiatric Association, and as a deputy editor for Academic Psychiatry

LEGAL, ETHICAL aND PROFESSIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

Emily Mendel Burns, M.S. BCBA, LBA

Emily is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) who brings a diverse range of clinical, research, and training experiences to her instruction of aspiring behavior analysts. Her professional journey spans several different roles, including clinician, university faculty, researcher, and organizational leadership.

She has contributed to projects examining organizational behavior management, methods for teaching functional communication using augmentative and alternative communication devices, and other evidence-based interventions. Her interdisciplinary background enables her to demonstrate how integrating knowledge from different domains can enhance analysis, problem-solving, and intervention planning.

Emily is nearing completion of a Master of Arts in Counseling and Career Development (Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration) from Colorado State University and holds a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University. In her teaching, she emphasizes critical thinking, practical application of behavioral principles, and the value of drawing on diverse experiences to understand behavior in context.

ABA CORE PRINCIPLES I

Dr. Maria Ordanza, M.D. M.S. QBA, BCBA

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Dr. Ordanza holds dual certifications as QBA (Qualified Behavior Analyst) and BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). She completed her master’s degree in applied Behavior Analysis with Distinction in National University in San Diego, California. In 2012, she finished her pediatric residency training at The Medical City in Pasig City, Philippines.

She has worked in school, home, clinic and virtual settings. Her interests are focused on parent coaching, early intervention and school-based services, feeding therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT).

ABA CORE PRINCIPLES II

Makoto Shibutani, PhD, BCBA

Dr. Makoto Shibutani, AKA “Dr. Mak,” is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and professor of graduate-level applied behavior analysis at Niagara University. He is the author of ABA books used worldwide and published in eight languages. With a background in Fine Art, he incorporates original hand-drawn illustrations into his teaching to make complex ABA concepts clear and accessible.

ANTECEDENT INTERVENTIONS & ASSESSMENT

Megan De Leon (Miller), PHD, BCBA-D

Global Behavior Analyst | Neurodiversity-Affirming Advocate | Author & Innovator | Resource Queen

Expertise in Autism & Behavior Analysis: Over 20 years of experience in autism and behavior analysis, focusing on translating research into practical, individualized, and person-centered interventions.
Published Author & Contributor: Author of 2 book chapters, several peer-reviewed articles, and a widely recognized expert in advancing compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Extensive Global Presentation Experience: Invited speaker at conferences across the globe, with over 116 conference presentations and a reputation for bringing innovative, research-informed perspectives to the field.

Leader in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Training: Global trainer and coach for behavior analysts, parents, and service providers, specializing in neurodiversity-affirming, person-centered approaches that promote autonomy and social communication.

Founder of the Do Better Collective: Creator of an international community empowering behavior analysts and related service providers to deliver more compassionate and effective interventions, combining evidence-based practice with humanity, accessible.

SKILL ACQUISITION

Rahma Farah, BCBA, IBA, UKBA

Founder and Director of Prospering Minds Consultancy, a UK-based behaviour science consultancy specialising in Positive Behaviour Support, Applied Behaviour Analysis, and infant and child sleep intervention. With over a decade of experience supporting autistic children and individuals with additional needs across home, school, and community settings.

Rahma’s work focuses on culturally responsive, evidence-based skill acquisition programming that promotes meaningful independence and quality of life outcomes. She provides clinical consultation, IBT supervision, and professional training to parents, schools, and multidisciplinary teams across the UK and

internationally

BEHAVIOR REDUCTION I

Maria Martinho, Phd, BCBA-D, LBA-NC

Dr. Maria Martinho is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience supporting children with special needs. She currently works at a center in North Carolina and has held similar roles in both the USA and the UK, including home and school-based positions. Maria holds a PhD in Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from Queen’s University Belfast. Her expertise includes Applied Behavior Analysis, teaching, special education, and autism spectrum disorders.

BEHAVIOR REDUCTION II

Anna Marie Galay, M.A. BCBA

Ms. Galay is a board-certified behavior analyst who supports individuals in community and crisis care settings. She collaborates with staff to address challenging behaviors and teach essential life skills through a person-centered, evidence-based approach.

Since 2020, Marie has been mentoring students in the Philippines and teaching Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She is committed to expanding access to ABA by promoting culturally responsive, evidence-based practices in underserved and low-resource communities throughout the Philippines and Asia, working toward lasting, meaningful impact.

ABAT INSTRUCTOR

Maricel Caralde Cabildo, M.A. SPED, BCBA, IBA, LBA-NC & TX

Led to behavior analysis with a family member’s autism diagnosis, Ms. Cabildo is an entrepreneur who found purpose in providing support and interventions to children on the spectrum. A Philippine-licensed teacher, she pursued programs that cater to individualized needs of learners with the scarcity of available services since 2018. She earned her master’s degree in special education at Philippine Women’s University and Professional Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate at University of California – Santa Barbara.

Holder of a behavior analyst license in North Carolina and Texas, she currently provides telehealth services after transitioning from a primary BCBA position in a private clinic in the United States. Her contributions in her home-country, Philippines, span from providing staff and parent training to supervising aspiring behavior analysts. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology to gain deeper understanding of human behavior and expand clinical practice to better support clients with complex needs.