Management Bios

Dr. Rosa Patterson, PsyD, BCBA, QBA

Executive Director

Dr. Rosa Patterson has been in the field of autism and applied behavior analysis for over 20 years. Her training began under the direct education and training of Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas at U.C.L.A. where she received her bachelor of arts degree in psychology. She went on to receive her master of science in counseling with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from California State University Fullerton. Dr. Patterson has also received a graduate certificate in behavior intervention for autism from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. She is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA).

Dr. Patterson began her teaching experience at UCLA as a head teaching assistant for Dr. Lovaas’ introduction to applied behavior analysis course. While under the direction of Dr. Lovaas she also served as a teaching assistant for 2 of the 3 courses he offered in autism and behavior intervention. Dr. Patterson was responsible for creating course materials, grading student work, being a guest lecturer, and also leading discussion groups. Dr. Patterson is currently an adjunct faculty member at National University in Costa Mesa California. She teaches courses in applied behavior analysis for both their school counseling/psychology programs and applied behavior analysis program. Dr. Patterson also teaches for the Orange County Department of Education where she is responsible for providing autism education to school district personnel for the required autism authorization mandated by the state of California.

Dr. Rosa Patterson continues to further her training in the field of autism in order to meet the diverse needs of each of the children she serves. She has attended workshops and trainings on subjects such as: Bullying and Autism, Picture Exchange and Communication System, SCERTS (Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, & Transactional Supports), Social Cognition (Michelle Garcia-Winner), Social Skills, TEACCH, and the Reading and Writing Program for visual learners. She has also been trained in the delivery of the ADOS assessment (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule).

Dr. Patterson has been a speaker at conferences for the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention, Cal-TASH, and the City of Irvine in California. She has spoken on the topics of autism, applied behavior analysis, and inclusion of children on the autism spectrum into general education settings.

In addition, Dr. Patterson is a council member on the Orange County Childcare and Development Planning Council and enjoys volunteering for Pretend City Museum’s autism committee in Irvine California. She is also a member of the Interagency Autism Group in Orange County.

Dr. Patterson has developed autism and ABA programs, provided services, and conducted trainings to families and professionals in California, Texas, and Mexico. She provides ongoing supervision to those pursuing their board certification as a BCaBA or BCBA. Dr. Patterson is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Natalie, M.Ed, PPS, BCBA

Clinical Director

Natalie, M.Ed, PPS, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from Cal State University, Fullerton in 2006 and a Masters of Arts Degree in Education from Azusa Pacific University in 2009. In 2009, upon the completion of her fieldwork hours, Natalie received a Pupil Personnel Services Credential and as a result became a credentialed school counselor.

From 2006 to the present, Natalie has worked one-on-one with children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in clinical, home and school settings. Natalie is experienced in ABA, DTT, PECS and social skills training. Natalie has had additional experience and exposure to working with children with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, depression and social anxiety disorders.

In November 2011, Natalie joined Autism Behavior Services Inc. as a behavior therapist. Before joining the ABS team, Natalie was employed by school districts in the Orange and Los Angeles County areas, as well as, volunteering with a nonprofit organization which implemented social skills groups for low income families.

When Natalie is not working she can be found chasing after her toddler, scrapbooking or reading a great book.

Colleen, MA, BCBA

Development Director

Colleen earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences and her B.A. in Psychology in 2005 from the University of California, Irvine. As an undergraduate Colleen worked in the Lab for Cognitive Brain Research, and found she had a passion for studying language and learning.

After college, Colleen started working as a behavior therapist with the Lovaas Institute in 2005. She instantly fell in love with each and every one of her clients, and found a passion for helping families tackle the challenges of autism. This passion drove Colleen to continue on in the field. She began supervising ABA programs in 2008, and went on to earn her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2013. Colleen is now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 10 years of experience in homes, schools, and the community.

Over the years, Colleen gained experience with Discrete Trial Teaching, Natural Environment Teaching, Picture and Textual Exchange Communication Systems (PECS and TECS), task analyses, toilet training, behavior reduction procedures, parent training, crisis prevention, CPR, frustration tolerance programs, executive functioning, self-management strategies, and more. Colleen regularly attends national and state-wide conferences for applied behavior analysis, reads professional journals to stay on top of current research, and participates in training sessions related to autism and ABA.

Colleen believes that behavior intervention should focus on providing therapy that meets the values and goals of each child and family. She loves working with kids, seeing them learn and grow, and fostering continuing education for staff and parents. Her passion in the field continues to be verbal behavior, including language acquisition and development.

In her free-time, you can find Colleen baking pastries and other sweets, hiking or backpacking, and playing word games.

Briana, M.Ed, BCBA, QASP-S

Assistant Clinical Director

Briana has always had a passion for working with children from a young age. She worked in an afterschool program for elementary school aged children before beginning her work with children on the autism spectrum in 2006. Briana has worked as a para-educator in an autism focus classroom as a one to one and a classroom aide. This position confirmed for her that it would be her life profession to work with children on the autism spectrum.

Briana received her Bachelors of Science in Child and Adolescent Development degree from California State University, Fullerton. She studied a range of ages from infants through adulthood which advanced her knowledge in helping children with Autism. She also participated in a number of special education developmental courses which focused on rationale intervention, program models and teaching techniques for both verbal and non-verbal children. She has successfully completed coursework titled Adolescents and Adults with Autism: Evidence-based Practice, Adaptive Behavior, and Quality of Life. This course in turn has provided her with the tools needed for assisting and developing the adult group at ABSI. Briana attended Arizona State University where she obtained her Master’s in Education with an emphasis in applied behavior analysis.

Briana has training in crisis prevention intervention and has worked in both the home and clinical settings. She provides parent consultation and program supervision also. She has education and training in applied behavior analysis, discrete trial training (DTT) and picture exchange communication system (PECS).

Briana has a bubbly personality and drive to succeed which makes her a pleasure to work with. She is looking forward to working with many more families and seeing success in their lives.

Some of Briana’s leisure activities include crafting, cooking, reading and exercising.