Diagnostic Center South Presenters
Meet the professional development presenters of the Diagnostic Center, Southern California.
Andrea Abrishami, M.A., Education Specialist
Andrea Abrishami is an education specialist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She holds an M.A. in Special Education from California State University, Los Angeles. Since 2005 Andrea has served students of all ages with mild to moderate support needs in a variety of settings. She comes with extensive experience in developing and implementing programs that address the social emotional and academic needs of all learners. Areas of expertise include educational programming and instructional techniques for students with mild to moderate support needs, positive behavior supports and supporting struggling readers across academic settings.
Heather Barakat, Ed.D., BCASE, Education Specialist
Heather Barakat is an education specialist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She holds an Ed.D. in Education with a concentration in Special Education from Northcentral University and an M.A. in Special Education from Point Loma Nazarene University. She also holds three credentials: Special Education (Mild/Moderate), Multiple Subjects, and Reading. Heather has been in the field of education for over 10 years and has extensive experience working with students of all ages with mild to moderate support needs in a variety of settings (e.g., public school, charter school, and non-public schools). Areas of expertise include assessment, autism, program and curriculum development and differentiating instruction for all learners. Heather has been a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) for several years.
Heather DeFelice, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Heather DeFelice is a speech-language pathologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She earned her M.S. in Communicative Disorders from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Heather holds California state licensure in speech-language pathology and the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). She also earned an Assistive Technology Applications certificate through California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and has extensive experience working with children in public schools as well as in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) camp settings. Areas of expertise include AAC, autism, and students with extensive support needs.
Melissa Gardner, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Melissa Gardner is a speech-language pathologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She holds an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Ithaca College. Melissa holds California state licensure and a teaching credential in speech-language pathology as well as the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has extensive experience working with children 0-22 in public schools, clinics, home-hospital, and long-term care facilities. Areas of expertise include: Traumatic Brain Injury, Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC), and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions. Melissa has assessed clients of all ages with mild to extensive support needs. She has an interest in transdisciplinary assessment and intervention and trauma-sensitive education.
Allease Glamore, M.S., School Psychologist
Allease Glamore is a school psychologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She has an M.S. and Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Psychology and is a Licensed Educational Psychologist. Allease has more than 20 years of experience supporting students with exceptional needs. She has supported students of all ages (infants through adults) in many capacities and settings. Allease has served as an intern supervisor to graduate students, professor, consultant, professional development facilitator, assessor, and interventionist. She has also been a program administrator and has written research articles. Early childhood special education, autism, school readiness, alternative assessment, social emotional learning, development, building family and community partnerships, program development and improvement, and supporting students with behavior challenges and extensive support needs are among her many areas of expertise. Allease is native to the South Los Angeles and South Bay portions of the Los Angeles area. She is passionate about empowering educators/service providers and families and enhancing the progress of all students.
Scott Gutentag, Ph.D., LEP, NCSP, School Psychologist
Scott Gutentag is a school psychologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. He holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Child Psychology from The Ohio State University. As a licensed educational psychologist, Scott holds the National Certification for School Psychology from the National Association of School Psychologists. Scott has provided psychological services in a variety of settings including schools, behavioral clinics, treatment programs, and hospitals. Additionally, he has taught undergraduate and graduate level university courses in psychology at several institutions.
Tim Halphide, M.A., L.M.F.T., School Psychologist
Tim Halphide is a school psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. Tim has worked as a school psychologist for over 24 years and as a mental health clinician for over 30. Tim draws from a tapestry of experiences across settings including private practice psychotherapy, community mental health, inpatient settings, foster family agencies, Regional Centers and working with students, teachers, and parents in California's schools. Tim has been featured at various conferences including the California Association of School Counselors, California Association of School Psychologists, Orange County Association of School Psychologists, and more.
Margot Johnson, M.A., BCBA, PENT Administrator
Margot Johnson is an education specialist and assistant director at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. Margot is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and earned her M.A. in Special Education from Chapman University. She has extensive experience working with students of all ages who have extensive support needs in the public school setting. Areas of expertise include curriculum, differentiated instruction, and instructional techniques for students with extensive support needs, programming for transition-age students, and positive behavioral interventions for students who exhibit significant behavioral challenges.
Jill Martinez, M.A., Education Specialist
Jill Martinez is an education specialist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She earned her M.A. in Special Education from California State University, Los Angeles. Jill has been in the field of special education for over 15 years and has experience working as a paraeducator, special day class teacher, inclusion specialist, and program specialist. She has extensive experience in the areas of program and curriculum development, instructional strategies, positive behavior support, and educational coaching. Jill has experience supporting special education programs at the elementary through the adult transition levels and is passionate about increasing community integration and quality of life for individuals with extensive support needs. Areas of particular interest include developing meaningful learning activities, working collaboratively with educational teams to increase positive outcomes for students, and supporting students who demonstrate challenging behaviors.
Martin Miramontes, M.A., BCBA, PENT Director
Martin Miramontes is a school psychologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California and director for the Positive Environment of Trainers (PENT), a statewide initiative to achieve high educational outcomes through the use of proactive positive behavioral strategies. He holds an M.A. in Education and is also a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. Martin has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities across home, hospital treatment facilities, school, and community settings. Areas of expertise include autism, applied behavior analysis, and district-wide implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)/Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). His professional affiliations include the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), California Association of Behavior Analysis (CalABA), and the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).
Mojgan Moshtael, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Mojgan Moshtael is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. Her passion is providing assessment, treatment and support to students and families with emotional/behavioral challenges related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, Learning Disorders, and other mental health disorders. She received her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Alliant International University. She is certified in Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and currently is a faculty of a graduate program of counseling psychology at the university of Baha'i Institution for Higher Education. Mojgan has provided psychological services in a variety of settings including schools, behavioral clinics, treatment programs, and hospitals for over 15 years.
Elizabeth Stiles Beirne, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Elizabeth Stiles Beirne is a speech-language pathologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. Liz is originally from Massachusetts, where she received her B.S. in Communication Disorders from Boston University. In 2000 she relocated to Los Angeles and worked as a clinician and consultant at Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes providing academic intervention to children with learning disabilities and autism. Liz earned her M.S. in Communicative Disorders from California State University, Northridge, holds her Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential, is licensed by the state of California, and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Her professional experience spans a variety of settings including public schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, learning centers, and private practice. Liz has worked with children of all ages and abilities. Areas of expertise include Developmental Language Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, speech sound disorders, and Autism.
Amy L. Taylor, Ed.S., NCSP, School Psychologist
Amy Taylor is a school psychologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. Amy holds a Master's in Education from Smith College, a Master's in Counseling and an Ed.S. in School Psychology from San Diego State University. She has been an educator for over 20 years working as a general education teacher, reading intervention teacher, and as a school psychologist. Additionally, she has taught graduate level courses in school psychology. Amy has assessed children of all ages with extensive support needs. She has a particular interest in transdisciplinary assessment and intervention of preschool age children and assessment of dyslexia.
Nicole Ward, M.A., Education Specialist
Nicole Ward is an education specialist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She holds an M.A. in both, Special Education and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Nicole has served students with special needs in a wide variety of settings since 2002. She comes with extensive experience in developing and implementing appropriate educational programs for students with developmental disabilities. Nicole has previously worked as a special day class teacher, inclusion specialist, assistive technology specialist and program specialist. Particular areas of expertise include program development, assistive technology, positive behavior support, and inclusive education.
Melissa Zavala Arauz, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist
Melissa Zavala Arauz is a bilingual speech-language pathologist at the Diagnostic Center, Southern California. She holds an M.S. in Communication Disorders from California State University, Northridge. Melissa holds California state licensure and a teaching credential in speech-language pathology as well as the Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She has worked in education since 2009, first as a general education elementary school teacher before beginning her training as a speech-language pathologist. Prior to entering education, Melissa worked in social work with immigrant communities and teenage parents. Her years in social work and education have provided her opportunities to work with students from a wide range of backgrounds, fostering special interests in culturally and linguistically diverse populations, the impact of mental health issues and trauma on communication, and collaboration across disciplines and agencies to support the unique needs of individual students. As a speech-language pathologist, Melissa has assessed and treated students and clients of all ages and ability levels in educational, medical, and private settings.
