ABA therapy, Early Intervention, BCBA, OT, SLP, Clinicians specializing in early intervention

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Isma, also known as 'Jessie', is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst specializing in applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) and licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue University. A native of NOVA, born and raised in Fairfax County, VA, Jessie began her career working with children in 2009 as a preschool teacher before becoming an assistant director. In 2014, she started working with children with special needs as an Art Therapist for Loudoun County Public Schools. Jessie entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2016, gaining experience in both in-home and clinic settings. She is an active member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis (VABA), where she also serves on the DEI committee. Jessie's areas of interest include Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), parent training, advocacy, and providing culturally appropriate care related to Autism. With her teaching and ABA background, Jessie founded Family Beeginnings in June 2019. In January 2020, she launched the Little Beeginnings Early Intervention Day Program under Family Beeginnings, which incorporates elements of occupational therapy and speech therapy. Passionate about bridging the gap between families and the public school system, she also provides IEP consultations.

CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER

Sara is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born and raised in Prince William County, VA. With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Shenandoah University, Sara has dedicated over 10 years to working with individuals with Autism and related disorders. She has presented two poster presentations on Autism at the ABAI (Association for Behavior Analysis International) in Puerto Rico in 2017 and in Denver, CO in 2018. As an active member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis, and the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts, Sara is deeply involved in the field. Prior to her role as our chief clinical officer, she gained valuable experience in school settings, private clinic environments, and by providing in-home services for families in Prince William and Loudoun County. For the past 7 years, she has also managed ABA clinics as a clinical director in the Northern Virginia region. As the CCO for Family Beeginnings, Sara focuses on quality assurance, the development of clinical policies, and consulting with other providers on best practices, including ABA therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. As a mother of three, including a daughter on the Autism Spectrum, Sara truly understands the power and importance of parent training.

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Ciera is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and raised for most of her life in Newport News, VA, alongside her older sister and younger brother. Ciera attended Christopher Newport University to finish her degree in Sociology and then went on to complete a master's in Psychology with a concentration in forensics from Southern New Hampshire University. In December 2023, Ciera completed her certificate in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology. She began her career as a substitute teacher for Newport News Public Schools and transitioned to working with children in clinical and in-home settings, providing ABA therapy focused on applied behavior analysis since 2020. She joined Family Beeginnings in 2022, where she obtained her RBT certification, completed our Fellowship program, and earned her BCBA certification. Ciera is passionate about supporting children with Autism through various therapies, including occupational therapy and speech therapy. In her free time, she enjoys being in nature, watching scary movies, playing video games, meditating, doing puzzles, and spending time with her husband and her chihuahua, Scrat!

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Victoria is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed through the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born and raised in Gainesville, Virginia, where she currently resides with her two kids. Victoria attended George Mason University, earning her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She completed a Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2024. With five years of experience in ABA therapy, Victoria has worked with children with Autism and related disorders in both home and clinic settings. Her expertise also extends to collaborating with professionals in occupational therapy and speech therapy to ensure comprehensive care. Passionate about training and providing quality support, Victoria leads the Employee Engagement Team at Family Beeginnings. In her free time, she enjoys exploring with her kids and cooking!

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Kayla Blackmon is a Board Certified Occupational Therapist (OTR) licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. Born and raised in Northern VA, she grew up with her younger sister and brother. As a student athlete and team manager at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA, she played basketball while completing her Bachelor of Science in Health Science and Psychology (2019) and her Master of Occupational Therapy (2020). Kayla has extensive experience working with children with Autism and related disorders, serving as a care and respite attendant during her studies. After graduation, she began her career in occupational therapy with older adults in nursing homes and home health settings. She later joined a grant-funded program in Texas, providing 1:1 occupational therapy services to children with autism and related disorders, many of whom were victims of crime. Kayla has a keen interest in the connection between sensory processing, emotional regulation, and challenging behaviors, which is often addressed through applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy). In her spare time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and indulging in good food, while also appreciating the value of speech therapy in holistic care.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Leah is a Board Certified Occupational Therapist (OTR) and licensed with the Virginia Board of Medicine. Born in Central Missouri, she joined the Army Reserves in 2001 after graduating from high school. Leah holds a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from the New England Institute of Technology. She has extensive experience working with both adults and pediatrics in various clinical settings. As a pediatric occupational therapist, Leah focuses on helping children, especially those with Autism, develop essential skills for their daily lives and enjoy their childhood. By incorporating elements of ABA therapy and applied behavior analysis, she tailors her approach to meet each child's unique challenges, whether they are physical, mental, sensory, or emotional. Leah emphasizes building motor skills, addressing sensory needs, teaching everyday life skills, and developing social and emotional skills. Additionally, Leah collaborates closely with families, caregivers, and teachers to ensure that skills learned through occupational therapy and speech therapy carry over effectively between home, school, and other environments.

CLINICAL SUPERVISOR

Emi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed through the Virginia Board of Medicine. She was born and raised in Iran and moved to the United States in 2008. After earning her undergraduate degree in Iran, she completed a Masters of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology in 2024. Emi is deeply passionate about helping others and improving lives through ABA therapy. With over five years of experience working with children with autism and related disorders, she has primarily served as a behavior technician in both home and clinic settings. In addition to her expertise in applied behavior analysis, Emi understands the importance of occupational therapy and speech therapy as part of a comprehensive approach to support children. A mother of two, she enjoys exploring new places to eat, working out, going on hikes, and watching a good movie in her free time.