Christine Clifford
Christine is a certified Special Education teacher who began working with children with autism in in-home programs using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2006 while attending college. In 2007, after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a Minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University, she returned to the valley. She was introduced to Mario’s mom by Dr. Cheryl Fielding. Together they started Mario’s home program. Christine attended the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) training, Dr. Carbone’s Autism Conference, Social Skills training by Kelly McKinnon, BCBA and has participated in all the trainings by the Carbone Clinic in New York for Team Mario. Christine has extensive knowledge and experience in working with children with special needs. Christine is an amazing therapist and makes learning fun. Christine is one of the event organizers for Team Mario’s Autism Awareness and is the Marketing Director for Team Mario.
Lisa Beccera
Lisa is a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), with a masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas-Pan American. She has extensive training in the Kaufman Speech to Language Protocol, Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP), and Verbal Behavior Analysis. Lisa joined Mario’s ABA home program in 2008 while working on her undergraduate degree. Lisa attended the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) ABA training, Dr. Carbone’s Autism Conference, Social Skills training by Kelly McKinnon, BCBA and has participated in all the trainings by the Carbone Clinic in New York for Team Mario. Lisa has traveled with Mario to The Kaufman Children’s Center to participate in training of their intensive and specialized speech therapies for children with Speech Apraxia and their ABA Program for children with Autism. She has also traveled to Cary, North Carolina with Mario to observe the Social Skills Camp in action at The Mariposa School for Children with Autism. Lisa’s passion for working with children with autism, her experience and training makes her an exceptional therapist. Her strategies and creativity assist children in learning and communicating. Lisa is one of the event organizers for Team Mario’s Autism Awareness and she is the Program Director for Team Mario.
Esmer Castillo
Esmer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas Pan American University. She joined Team Mario’s program in 2013 as part of her practicum for her ABA coursework. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis, which will provide her with the coursework necessary to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Esmer has received training in Verbal Behavior at the Carbone Clinic in New York.
Gaby Perez
Gaby is a student at South Texas College enrolled in the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. Gaby has a music background. She plays guitar, bass and piano and has an invested interest in music therapy. She has been working with Mario since October 2013. She assists therapists in their sessions and uses music to enhance attention to task and therapeutic intervention. Gaby has been a great asset to Team Mario. Her passion to help children with Autism and related disorders is seen on a daily basis.