Executive Staff
Karen Blake, MA, SLP
Founder, President Karen Blake, MA, SLP, is the founder and chairperson of the board of directors of the Autism Foundation of Tennessee. Prior to moving to Tennessee Karen worked for 11 years in the Atlanta public school system as a speech and language therapist. Karen has a MS. Degree in special education and speech-language pathology. Karen spends her leisure time playing tennis and spending time at the lake with her husband Steve, son Matthew, and their dog, Bailey. |
Rhonda Manous, M.A.
Executive Director Rhonda joined the organization July 31, 2011. Rhonda obtained her BA (Cum Laude) from the University Of Tennessee School Of Business and her Master’s Degree in Management (Summa Cum Laude), from Trevecca University. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization and management of its senior staff. Her responsibilities include credentialing staff, supervision of all accounting functions, and human resources. Prior to joining the Autism Foundation of Tennessee in August, 2011, she served 22 years with the General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church. An avid fitness enthusiast, Rhonda enjoys golf, volleyball and most all types of outdoor activities. She has been married to her husband of 29 years, Michael, and has two teenage sons: Destin and Derek. |
Board Certified Behavior Analysts
Jonathan Timm, M.A., BCBA
Clinical Director, BCBA Jon joined the organization November 19, 2012. With over six years working with children and adults diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities, three years as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and nearly a year as Clinical Director of the Autism Foundation of Tennessee, Jon serves children and individuals diagnosed with Autism with experience and passion. After having received his MA in Behavior Analysis at Western Michigan University under Dr. Richard Malott, BCBA-D, Jon brought his extensive training in individualized ABA treatment to Tennessee. He worked with adults under DIDD for a year and a half before coming to the AFT. His background in intensive early intervention and verbal behavior adds an approach to treatment based in best practices. In addition to providing a clinical direction to the AFT, he continues to supervise tutors, perform functional analyses, develop behavior plans, and provide training to parents and direct care service providers. |
Carissa Coker, M.A., BCBA
BCBA Carissa joined the organization May 20, 2014. Carissa graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a minor in Family and Child Sciences. She then received her Master’s in Science in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from NOVA Southeasters University. She has 3 years of experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Carissa recently passed her certification exam and is now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She just relocated from Fort Myers, Florida to Clarksville, Tennessee and is thrilled to be a part of the Autism Foundation of Tennessee. |
Lisa Fox, M.Ed., BCBA
BCBA Lisa joined the organization March 12, 2013. She began her career in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and has over 10 years of experience providing ABA therapy and developing learning programs in the school system, clinic, home, and community. In 2014, she obtained a Master’s in Education in the Foundations of Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati and passed her board exam to become a BCBA. In her spare time, Lisa enjoys boating, ballroom dancing, traveling, and spending time with her family. |
Lauren Shibley M.S BCBA
BCBA Lauren joined the organization November 14, 2013. Lauren is originally from Nashville. She graduated from University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a B.S. in Communications. She received an M.S. in Educational Psychology from Georgia State University with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. Lauren previously worked with children in the Severe Behavior Unit and the Language and Learning Clinic while at Marcus Autism Center in Atlanta. While there, she worked in both clinical and home-based treatment settings. Since moving back to Nashville, Lauren has worked as a BCBA in both our Nashville and Clarksville offices. Currently, Lauren works with clients and families in the Nashville office and as part of the Behavior Support Team with Metro Nashville Public schools. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband, Andrew, and their 3-year-old Havanese dog, Koby, and their brand new baby girl. |
Qinyong “John” Zhang, M.A., BCBA
BCBA John joined the organization October 15, 2013. John graduated with a master’s degree from Behavior Analysis and Therapy Program, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. His concentration was on child behavior management and parent training. John has been working with adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, dual diagnosis, and traumatic brain injuries, children with autism and challenging behaviors, and the families with histories or child abuse and neglect in Illinois, Florida and Tennessee for the past 22 years In his spare time, John enjoys playing sports and exercising, playing pool, boating and fishing, and spending time with family and grandson, Dominik. |
Behavior Technicians
Megan Adkins, B.S.
Registered Behavior Technician Megan joined AFT in September 2014 at the Clarksville location. Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Hoping to begin M.Ed. With an emphasis on ABA program in the spring. Lives in Clarksville with husband, toddler and 2 dogs. Enjoys sports, especially Clemson football, and outdoor activities. |
Vickie Bradley
Registered Behavior Technician Vickie Bradley joined the Autism Foundation in June, 2015. Originally from Monteagle, Tennesee, Vickie has lived in the Spring Hill area for the last ten years. She graduated in 2014 with her B.S. in Psychology, and is currently pursuing her M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus in Autism for her BCBA certification. She is the mom to five boys. Her youngest son (Cooper) is four years old is on the Autism Spectrum. When she is not busy with school, she enjoys running, trying new restaurants, traveling and watching UT football. |
Anna Brooks, BA
Registered Behavior Technician Anna joined the organization in December 2014. She is originally from Nashville, TN and attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Bachelors of Art in Psychology and a minor in business management. She is currently in school for her master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis with an autism emphasis and working toward BCBA certification. On her down time, Anna enjoys reading, music, and sleeping. |
Dustin Ellis, B.S.
Registered Behavior Technician Dustin joined the organization April 6, 2009. He has served as the organization’s camp director since 2012 and has conducted the social skills groups since 2008. Prior employment included working for the Metro-Nashville, Davidson County Schools for 6 years as an educational assistant and employment by a family to work with their child. When working privately with the family Dustin received training from a consultant from the Lovaas Institute. Dustin attended Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his wife and their family & friends, backpacking, playing trivia & board games, watching movies, and cooking. |
Sara Fox, B.S.
Registered Behavior Technician Sara joined the organization on November 11, 2013. She graduated from Austin Peay State University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, and is currently working towards a master's degree at Tennessee State University in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling. She is also enrolled in Applied Behavior Analysis coursework through Florida Institute of Technology to become a BCBA. In her free time, Sara loves to hang out with her family, often going to parks, museums, or the zoo. |
Ashley Fulkerson, M.A.
Registered Behavior Technician Ashley joined the organization on June 1st, 2015. Ashley graduated from Western Kentucky University with Bachelors in Communication Disorders and Ball State University with a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis with emphasis in Autism. She is currently pursuing her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In her spare time Ashley enjoys watching movies, reading, and spending time with friends and family. |
Amanda Lessard, B.S.
Registered Behavior Technician Amanda joined the organization January 13, 2014. She is originally from Atlanta, GA and attended Kennesaw State University graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a business management minor. While in school she worked as a private ABA therapist for a child with severe to moderate autism for two years. After graduation Amanda took a job at the Marcus Autism Center in the severe behavior unit. There she gained a greater understanding of the application of ABA principals and the management of severe problem behaviors. She is currently working on a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus in Autism and for BCBA certification. When she is not busy with school, Amanda enjoys hiking, biking, dancing, and Netflix. |
Yessenia Mata, B.S.
Registered Behavior Technician Yessenia joined the organization September 2015. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology and an emphasis in Life Span Development. Yessenia is also bilingual (fluent in Spanish and English). Currently, she is working toward a Master's of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and BCBA certification at Lipscomb University. In her free time, Yessenia enjoys drawing, reading, and spending time with her family. |
Bethany Pittman M.Ed.
Registered Behavior Technician Bethany joined the organization on February 2nd, 2015. Bethany graduated from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University with a Masters in Human Development Counseling in 2013 and worked as a middle school counselor in Metro Nashville Public Schools. She is currently pursuing her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Lipscomb University. In her spare time Bethany enjoys watching movies, trying out new restaurants, reading, and spending time with her dog Penelope. |
Anne Schostek, M.Ed.
Lead Instructor, Registered Behavior Technician Anne is originally from Columbus, Ohio. Her brother, Greg, has autism and she has learned so much from having him in her life. She studied Special Education at The Ohio State University and graduated in 2011. After that, she decided to move to Nashville and received her Masters degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University in 2012. She was a middle school Special Education teacher for 3 years. She started working at AFT during the summer camp and is excited to continue as a RBT and the Lead Instructor! |
Yoshiko Smith
Registered Behavior Technician Yoshiko Smith joined the organization June 1, 2014. Yoshiko graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After graduation, she worked with children with behavioral and emotional problems at Youth Villages. She then spent a couple of years at Marcus Autism Center where she worked in both the Severe Behavior Unit and the Language and Learning clinic. She is currently studying for her M.S./Ed.S. in School Psychology at Middle Tennessee State University. In her free time, she enjoys working out, nature walks, and traveling. |
Laura Trillzio, M.S.
Registered Behavior Technician Laura joined the organization in October 2014. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2003 from Austin Peay State University and her Master of Science in Biotechnology (with an emphasis in Bioinformatics) from the University of Maryland University College. Upon receiving her B.S., she began working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center as a research assistant in the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. She is currently working towards her Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. In her free time, Laura enjoys spending time with her son, Enzo, and her family and friends. |
Lindsey T. Ulmer, B.A.
Registered Behavior Technician Lindsey joined the Autism Foundation of Tennessee in March, 2013. She is a licensed Registered Behavioral Technician who holds a B.A. in Psychology from Ashford University, and studied Music Therapy at Charleston Southern University. While in Charleston, Lindsey was trained by the South Carolina Early Autism Project (SCEAP); specializing in ABA Early Intervention. After relocating to Tennessee, she provided ABA services first at the AFT-Nashville office, then moved to Clarksville with her husband and joined the AFT team there. She has a total of 8 years of clinical experience with ages 18mo-20yrs, and the unique ability to incorporate music into her work with children who are so inclined. Lindsey is also a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers, the Association for Childhood Education International, and the Association for Behavioral Analysts International. |
Occupational Therapists
Heather Grinage, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist Heather joined the organization May, 2010. She graduated from Western Michigan University in 1997 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in occupational therapy. In addition to her work with the AFT, Heather also provides occupational therapy services to the Metropolitan Nashville public school system. Prior to moving to Nashville, she provided therapy services to two school districts in Michigan. She specializes in the area of Sensory Processing. A devoted mother, of her four children, she enjoys spending time with her family on the weekends. |
Flori Jiron,MBA, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist Flori joined the organization August 1, 2012. Flori graduated from Tennessee State University with a Master’s in business administration and a Bachelors of Science in occupational therapy. She completed her occupational therapy field work experience in Williamson County Schools and Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital. She has worked with children in pre-k through high school for 10 years in 2 local school systems and the AFT. Flori is also bilingual (English/Spanish). During her free time, Flori enjoys attending her daughter’s athletic games with her husband, reading, and volunteering. |
Office Staff
Toni Smith, CPC
Billing Specialist Toni joined the organization November 2012. Toni has a B.A. in Speech Pathology, earned at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. Toni worked with children with Autism for 8 years, three of which were in Howard County of Columbia, MD, and 5 years in Williamson County Public School System. She completed a certification with honors in medical billing and coding at National College of Business and Technology, in February, 2013. Toni is a Member of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), and is on the board of the local Nashville chapter. In her spare time Toni loves traveling, reading, baking and spending time with her husband of 25 years and her 3 boys ages 24, 19, and 17. |
Angela Adams
Office Manager Angela joined the organization June 9, 2011. Angela Adams graduated with Honors from Colorado Technical University with an A.S. in Business Administration. She has been with the Autism Foundation of Tennessee for three years, enjoying every minute of the day to day workings. Family is large part of Angela’s life, spending time with her active family of 6, fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping whenever possible. |