Our team is composed of dynamic professionals who are Master’s level clinicians licensed as applied behavior analysts, (LABA) and Board Certified Behavior Analysts, (BCBA). They are experienced and well-trained in supporting individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. They are also knowledgeable in helping individuals with coexisting health conditions and consider their clients’ overall needs in creating a treatment plan. They teach parents and caregivers how to effectively and compassionately help their loved ones and also provide them with evidence-based tools and methodologies to enable positive changes in social, emotional, educational and behavioral development. Our employees undergo a complete background check, comprehensive orientation training and continuing education.
Jessica Stott, M.S., BCBA, LABA is the Executive Director for Key Connections ABA Services. She has worked in the field of education providing ABA- based services for over 15 years. Her experience ranges from working with individuals from early intervention through adulthood both in the public and private sector, with a desire for providing compassionate care through quality family driven services. Prior to joining Key Connections ABA Services, she has held positions overseeing center-based services and consulting within public schools to children with various learning profiles. Jessica specializes in parent education, staff and program development, consultative services, system development, Autism Spectrum Disorders and Special Education. Jessica is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, licensed applied behavior analyst in the state of Massachusetts and a former instructor at Endicott College as well as a Safety Care Trainer.
Erica Kusz joined Key Connections ABA Services in April 2020 as the Program Director of home, community and center services. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College. She became a BCBA in 2015 and has been in the field for 8 years. Erica has experience working in a private ABA school system as well as insurance-based home and center services for individuals diagnosed with ASD and other developmental diagnoses. Previously, Erica was an Assistant Director of Early Intervention and then an Assistant Clinical Director of home and center services for the Worcester, MA region at Behavioral Concepts Innovations. Her expertise is in early intervention, parent training, supervision of BCBA’s, managing an ABA center and social skills curriculum development. She was recognized in the Worcester Business Journal for the Movers and Shakers in 2020, and is a member of the Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysis and Therapy.
Ashley Gello joined Key Connections in December 2020, as the Administrative Coordinator. She has worked in the childcare and healthcare field for over 10 years, as a professional nanny, medical assistant, and front-end coordinator at an out-patient pediatric office. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition with a minor in Psychology at Framingham State University, and hopes to go back to school to receive her Master’s degree in the near future. She is also a mom to two sweet and active boys. Through her work and life experiences, Ashley has grown a driving passion for working with and helping children with autism and their families to thrive. She hopes to help make a positive impact on the families we serve here at Key Connections. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys reading, going on adventures with her boys, and spending time at her lake cottage in Maine.
Nancy Taylor, M.S., BCBA, LABA joined Key Connections ABA Services in October of 2020 in a part time BCBA role to dip her toes in after having been in the school system for over 20 years. In January she dove into a full time BCBA role ready for a new endeavor. She feels fortunate to work with a professional and knowledgeable staff who challenge her to continue to learn and grow and to use those skills to benefit the clients we work with. Nancy obtained her Masters in Autism Studies-UMass Lowell and her Bachelor of Science Elementary Education-Salem State University. Some of Nancy’s personal interests include biking, hiking, kayaking and her dogs. “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Teresa
Katie Entwistle M.S., BCBA, joined Key Connections in April 2022 as a BCBA. She holds her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Bay Path University, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont. Katie has worked in the field of ABA for 7 years, working in center-based and home-based settings. Her interests in the field include early intervention, and trauma-informed care. Prior to discovering ABA, she held positions as a preschool teacher at a Head Start program, a site director at an after-school program, and a nature and outdoor skills director at a YMCA camp. Katie’s personal interests include anything nature-related (self-proclaimed bird nerd), and anything food-related (i.e. tacos). When not working, she can be found with her boyfriend and their two guinea pigs, Charizard and Mew. A future dream of Katie’s is to one day use her ABA background to work with and study the behavior of corvids, specifically ravens.
Tayla Carroll M.S., BCBA, LABA joined Key Connections in September of 2022 as a part time BCBA. She holds her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Simmons University as well as a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Tayla has worked in the field of ABA for 5 and half years, working primarily in early childhood, home-based services. She also has experience in center-based services and social skills. In addition to social skills, Tayla’s primary interest within the field of ABA is early intervention. Outside of work Tayla enjoys spending time with her family, photography, and tackling DIY projects. Tayla hopes to one day open an integrated preschool program.
Michela Mitsock joined Key Connections in December 2022 as a full-time BCBA. She received both her Master’s in Autism Studies as well as her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Umass Lowell. Michela has worked in the ABA field since 2015. She started as a behavior analyst at a private school for children with developmental disabilities. Michela became a BCBA in 2020 and began working as a clinician for in-home and center-based ABA services. Michela’s interests in the field include verbal behavior, functional communication, and social skills development. Outside of ABA, Michela enjoys spending time with her family, being active, and catching up on the latest shows!
Kerri Mezansky joined Key Connections in January 2023 as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked in the ABA field since 2011 and has a wide range of experience in working with individuals with special needs in home, school, clinical and community settings. Kerri received her B.S. in Psychology and Human Development at Wheelock College. She attended Bay Path University to pursue a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and graduated in 2017, becoming a BCBA and Licensed Behavior Analyst in 2019. Her greatest passion is to make a positive impact in the lives of everyone she meets and spread Mental Health awareness to those within her community. In her free time, Kerri enjoys spending time in nature with her family, listening to music, cooking, and going out with friends.
Crystal Lee Antunes joined Key Connections in December, 2020 as a Behavior Technician. Crystal attended the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In addition to these degrees, she also obtained a certificate in Developmental Disabilities from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Prior to joining Key Connections, she completed two internships at Lowell High School, working in special education and then worked for Lowell Public Schools as a substitute teacher. Following this, Crystal started her ABA career providing in home services, as a Behavior Technician. Crystal aspires to go back to school to obtain her Master’s level degree, and become a BCBA. Outside of work she enjoys skateboarding, gardening, and cars as well as duckpin bowling and walking her dog.
Stephanie Pires joined Key Connections in October 2021 as a Behavior Technician. She currently attends Middlesex Community College with plans to transfer to Umass Lowell to receive her degree in Autism Studies to become a BCBA. Stephanie has been working with kids for several years as a nanny and an infant teacher. About two years ago she started working in the field of ABA and fell in love with it. Her favorite part of her job is being able to see all of the kiddos accomplish their goals whether it is as simple as pointing at what they want or being able to initiate conversations with their peers. In Stephanie’s free time, she likes to hang out with her friends and family. She has a 3-year-old toy poodle named Lilah who loves to play and cuddle.
Sara Spies-Karotkin joined Key Connections September 2021. She obtained her Masters at Lesley University- 2019 in Special Education with Moderate Disabilities K-8. Throughout her educational and professional experience, she has acquired numerous skills that make her an invaluable asset in the education field. Sara has over thirteen years of experience teaching diverse groups of students with disabilities. Those years of experience as well as her skills in differentiated instruction, assisted technology, and lesson planning allow her to create a welcoming environment that caters to the needs of every client. Sara is always looking forward to further her professional development so she can enrich the lives of her clients. Sara’s hobbies include interior decorating, traveling, going to the beach, as well as spending time with her family and friends and her new dog Paisley.
Wes Putten joined Key Connections as a Behavioral Therapist in October 2021. He obtained an associate’s degree in psychology in 2018 and will be returning to school the upcoming spring to obtain his BA in Psychology. His greatest accomplishment is being able to grow and contribute to this field of work, and the families that we service. His current interest these days is music! He loves to write songs, record, and play for people. A side goal he has is to make music another source of passive income.
Olivia Senneville joined Key Connections in February 2022 as Behavior Technician. She holds her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from Worcester State University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Olivia has worked in childcare for nearly a decade and has a background in neurodevelopmental research. She hopes to go back to school to obtain her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis to become a BCBA. Outside of Key Connections, Olivia loves photography, traveling, and sitting down with a good book.
April Farley joined Key Connections in March 2022 as a Billing & Credentialing Specialist. She received her High School Diploma from Greater Lowell Technical High School with a concentration in Marketing. She has been in the Behavioral Health field for over 20 years, starting out as a receptionist, and working up to Practice Management. April’s current interests are Nascar, crafting, family, and working on her farmhouse in the mountains.
Cam Conlon joined Key Connections in April of 2022 as a Behavior Technician. He attended Middlesex community College from 2019-2021, graduating with an Associates in Liberal arts and sciences, with a concentration in Psychology. In the fall, he will be starting his senior year at UMass Lowell and hopes to graduate in May 2023 with his BA in Psychology with a concentration in Behavior Analysis. After getting his BA, his goal is to get his Masters in Behavior Analysis, then go for his BCBA. Cam’s hobbies include golfing, reading, and exercise.
Erika Benzing joined Key Connections in September 2022. She graduated high school from home and attended Nashua Community College while deciding on a career path. Erika has 7 years of experience working with children of all ages in childcare centers. Her interests include reading, listening to music, and animals!
John Roop joined Key Connections in October 2022 as a Behavior Technician. He worked in inpatient psych for the past 2 years, which taught him a lot about human behavior. He then decided he wanted to expand his knowledge in the field of psychology and ABA. John also works part-time as a Youth Coordinator at First Parish in Lexington and really enjoys serving his community with the senior high youth group. John loves working with people of all ages and especially enjoys working with younger children. In his free time, John spends time in nature, hanging out with his two dogs Dude and Lola, and playing basketball and baseball.
Cynthia Loring joined Key Connections in November 2022 as a Behavior Technician. Cynthia attends classes at Nashua Community College in pursuit of an Associate’s degree in Human Services. She plans to transition to Granite State College’s Health and Wellness (B.S.) program to become a health coach. Cynthia has been working in the field of ABA since June of 2021, and attained her RBT in March of 2022. In addition to professional experience, Cynthia has lived experience with individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities, as well as mental illness, and finds this work very rewarding. Cynthia has a deep passion for nature, music, and art. In her free time, some hobbies Cynthia enjoys are: painting, journaling, cooking, and exercising. Her favorite thing to do is attend concerts and music festivals.
Haley Cowart-Sciarrone joined Key Connections in November of 2022 as a Behavior Technician. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Tulane University and is working on her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has over 15 years of experience in childcare and over 7 years of experience in the mental health field. Haley specializes in trauma-informed care and has presented her work in two conferences so far. Haley’s interests include reading, origami, ceramics, and building tiny furniture.
Olivia Scher joined Key Connections in December of 2022 as a Behavior Technician. She is currently a student at Merrimack College, where she is pursuing a degree Psychology and Political Science. Her experience is working with children through her father’s work out for kids’ program. While helping there she saw children with challenging behaviors and helped redirect them to stay on task. Her goals include wanting to get her PHD and continue to research potentially in the field of ABA as a BCBA. She enjoys the outdoors, especially at the beach, traveling, reading, and trying new recipes.
Ashley Fox joined Key Connections in January 2023 as a Behavior Technician. Prior to this position, she was a preschool and kindergarten teacher for thirteen years. She went to school at Wheelock College, studying Human Growth and Development, Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She completed her Master’s in Early Childhood Education in 2018 at Worcester State University, receiving an Academic Medal of Excellence. In her spare time Ashley enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as running, cycling, pilates and barre. She also likes to garden and paint. You will typically see her snuggling up on the couch with her dogs at the end of the day listening to a good audiobook or podcast. Her goal is to become a BCBA; and she is excited to join the Key Connections Team and looks forward to connecting with children and families in the surrounding communities!
Shannon Watts joined Key Connections in January 2023 as a Behavior Technician. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a concentration in Neuroscience. She has been working in ABA since 2021 and is looking forward to starting work towards her BCBA. She is deeply passionate about play based learning and looks to always bring a bit of fun into her work. In her free time she enjoys caring for her house plants, hula hooping, and hiking her way through the New Hampshire 48!
Mikayla Blanchette joined Key Connections in March of 2023 as a Behavior Technician. She graduated Rasmussen University with an Associates of Science in Early Childhood Education with a focus in child development. She pursued her dream of being an educator and taught infants through preschool for four years. She has worked with children and families in several environments. She hopes to take the knowledge and talents she has and apply them to her job as a Behavior Technician. She hopes to form great relationships with the children and their families and to help them navigate the world of ABA. Mikayla enjoys spending time singing, going on adventures, spending time with her family and pets. She also has quite an array of tropical houseplants.
Michelina Roy joined Key Connections ABA Services in December of 2020 as a Behavior Technician. She graduated from Assumption College with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Human Services. Michelina has gained over 6 years of experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs. Michelina is also enrolled in the Special Education – Severe Disability Master’s program at Endicott College. Michelina is very excited to be part of the Key Connections team. She will be sitting for the RBT exam soon and hopes to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of the children we serve.
