Our Team
​Kimberly Kirsch, M.Ed., BCBA
Director/Behaviour Analyst
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M.Ed., in Special Education (Concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities), UBC
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Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Kimberly has been supporting neurodivergent children, youth, school teams, and families for close to 25 years. As a practitioner with extensive experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), she has supported neurodivergent individuals from toddler to young adult years. Her clinical interests include early and play-based learning, practical functional assessment, selective mutism, anxiety, and providing strengths‑focused support across the lifespan, including the key transition into adulthood.
Kimberly is deeply committed to approaches that honour neurodiversity, respect autonomy, and centre the lived experiences of the individuals and families she serves. She is passionate about empowering parents and caregivers with tools that feel supportive, sustainable, and aligned with their child’s unique way of being in the world.
As a member of a neuro‑spicy household herself, Kimberly brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, fostering compassion, collaboration, and genuine understanding in every relationship she builds.
Thea Brain, M.A., BCBA
Director/Behaviour Analyst
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Ph.D. student in Special Education, UBC
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M.A., in Special Education (Concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities), UBC
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Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Thea has been working in the field of neurodiversity for over 20 years and earned her BCBA certification in 2018. As a person living with disability/chronic illness and the proud parent of neurodivergent children, Thea is passionate about supporting all individuals to have access and autonomy within their communities. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Special Education at the University of British Columbia. Her research interests include evidence-based practices in schools, peer-mediated interventions, self-determination, autistic and neurodivergent perspectives and neurodiversity-affirming supports. Her research on peer-mediated interventions was published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Thea loves working with multi-disciplinary teams to support neurodiversity-affirming environments for children and youth with diverse needs and enjoys supporting school teams with staff training and professional development.
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For a list of some of Thea's publications and talks visit the Publications and Talks page of our website.
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Samantha Schumyn
Administrative Assistant
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Administrative & Operations Specialist
Samantha supports the EAP team by creating structure, clarity, and flow behind the scenes so their work with clients can stay front and centre. She helps keep operations running smoothly through organized systems, streamlined workflows, and reliable administrative support. From managing communication and documentation to improving internal processes, Samantha focuses on making the team’s day-to-day work easier, more efficient, and less stressful. Her role is to ensure the foundation is solid so the EAP team can focus fully on delivering compassionate, responsive, and high-quality support to the families and individuals they serve.
Elika Hodania, B.Sc., M.A
Junior Behaviour Consultant
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M.A. in Behavior Analysis Practice at Florida Tech University
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Elika has over 10 years of experience working as a Behaviour Interventionist with neurodivergent youth and adults. She completed her supervision hours at EAP and is now part of the team as a Junior Behaviour Consultant. Elika also works as Team Lead at an adult day program for individuals on the autism spectrum. Elika received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Minor in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. She completed her Master of Arts in Behaviour Analysis Practice at Florida Tech University. Currently, Elika is working towards professional certification. She is fluent in English and Farsi.
Kim Bautista, B.Sc.
Junior Behaviour Consultant
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BSc. In Kinesiology
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Currently completing MA in Special Education specializing in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Arizona State University
Kim has completed her undergraduate degree at Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Science and a major in Kinesiology. Kim is currently completing her Master of Arts in Special Education with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University. She is working towards professional certification and is a Junior Consultant at EAP. Kim has been working with neurodivergent children and youth of various ages (3-18) for over 7 years as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physiotherapy Assistant, and a Team Leader for adaptive community programs. She is passionate about providing opportunities for individuals to connect and grow within their community. Kim enjoys providing both 1:1 and group services to children and families using a trauma-informed lens and neurodiversity affirming practices. In her free time, you can find Kim hiking the beautiful mountains of BC, traveling with her partner, spending time with her dog Ringo, snowboarding in the winter, and playing indoor volleyball.
Deborah Paul, B.A.
Senior Behaviour Interventionist
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B.A. In Psychology
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Currently completing M.Ed. in Special Education specializing in Autism and Developmental Disabilities at UBC
Debbie is a special educator with 8 years of K-12 experience, split evenly between India and Canada. She completed her master’s in clinical psychology and special education licensing in India. She’s excited to finally begin working as a Behaviour Interventionist, a dream in the making for over a decade. Debbie values collaboration and is deeply passionate about fostering inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming spaces where individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities can truly thrive. She will soon begin her M. Ed in Special Education at the University of British Columbia, aiming to deepen her expertise and acquire specialized skills to better support neurodivergent children, youth, and their families.
Mykayla Whitmarsh, B.A
Junior Behaviour Consultant
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B.A. In Psychology
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Currently completing M.Ed. in Special Education specializing in Autism and Developmental Disabilities at UBC
Mykayla is a Junior Behaviour Consultant with extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and families. As an autistic person herself, she brings a deeply informed, empathetic, lived-experience perspective to her work. She is currently working toward BCBA certification and completing her M.Ed. in Special Education at the University of British Columbia. Mykayla is passionate about neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based care that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and meaningful support for the individuals and families she works with.
Natalia Modzelik, BA
Senior Behaviour Interventionist
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B.A. In Psychology, Minor in Special Education
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Currently completing an MA in Special Education specializing in Autism and Developmental Disabilities at UBC
Natalia’s journey working with autistic individuals began in 2016, working as a one-to-one support worker in swimming, skating and summer camp programs. Since then, Natalia has worked with neurodivergent children and youth aged 2-18 as a respite provider, one to one support worker, and a behaviour interventionist.
Natalia completed her BA in Psychology with a minor of special education at UBC and is now pursuing her Masters of Arts in Special Education at UBC.
Strongly believing in the importance of play for learning and development, Natalia takes a play-based, child-led approach in her work with neurodivergent clients and their families. She is passionate about neurodivergent-affirming approaches and providing equitable educational and social experiences for her clients.
Personally, Natalia enjoys spending time working on research projects, reading novels and hiking with her dog.
Mia Davison, BA
Senior Behaviour Interventionist
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B.A, major in Theatre
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B.Ed elementary
Mia started working as BI in high school and quickly realized she would follow this path further. Since then, she has gained experience working as an EA, therapeutic riding assistant, and as a teacher in mainstream and alternative settings. Personal experience with BC's foster system and caring for family with diverse needs has shaped her determination to see every child with their own story. When she's not working, Mia loves to practise gymnastics and climb.