Founders & Executive Directors
Debora Harris BCaBA & Nicole Dibra: Our Founders & Executive Directors, have completed their coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis for Special Education through Penn State’s Coursework Certificate Program. They also received their certificate in Professional Development in Autism through Penn State University. They are Founders of the ELIJA Foundation, Long Island’s largest educational organization specializing in the treatment of children with Autism. They are Executive Directors, of Effective Interventions, a behaviorally based clinic for children with autistic spectrum disorders in Nassau County. Mrs. Harris is a Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst and an active member of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysts. She is also a consultant for local public school programs which service children with Autism. Mrs. Dibra has been an ABA instructor over the past 4 years. She currently provides hands on training of staff as well as conducts workshops in teaching procedures for those working with children with Autism. Both Mrs. Harris & Mrs. Dibra are parents of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and offer ongoing seminars in a variety of topics pertaining to intervention, advocacy and parenting children with ASD.
Executive Assistant
Clinical Director
Dr. Karen Chin: Bio Coming Soon
Head Teacher
Monica Howard BA: Monica received her BA in Psychology from American University in Washington DC. She has been an assistant teacher in a typical kindergarten class as well as an ABA therapist for children with Autism. She received her training in applied Behavior Analysis under the supervision of the CARD program in Annandale VA. She is a former classroom shadow to facilitate academic, playskills, social interactions and behavior reduction of impedeing behaviors. As a home therapist she worked as an ABA home based instruction to facilitate language and communication skills as well as social. play, fine motor skills and executive functioning.
Board Of Trustees
Michael Giangregorio
is a Vice President with JP Morgan Chase in the Worldwide Treasury Service Division. He is responsible for finance trading on behalf of Institutional and High Net worth clients and has over twenty years experience in the Financial Industry. Mr. Giangregorio also serves on the Elija School Board as Treasurer and is an active member of the autism community. Mr. Giangregorio has been Chair of the Long Island walk program for NAAR/Autism Speaks for the past 4 years and takes great pride knowing that through his leadership, Long Island has consistently had the largest fundraising walk for autism in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Mr. Giangregorio is the father of two sons, one who has autism. Since his son's diagnosis, he along with his wife, Alison, have become advocates for their son as well as those touched by autism. Having been one of the founding board members of The ELIJA School, Mr. Giangregorio believes that researched based intervention along with a sound individualized education plan that focuses on functional daily living, will truly help individuals living with autism reach their fullest potential.
Stella Spanakos
is a member or the Board of Directors of the ELIJA School.She received her B.A. in History/Secondary Education from Hartwick College, and M.A, from Adelphi University. Ms. Spanakos was an adjunct lector at the University of Bari, Italy, Faculta di Economia e Commercia where she taught English as a Second Language and History of Economics. Ms. Spanakos also contributed to the publication of a university text book in Commercial Writing. After returning to the United States Ms. Spanakos taught High School History and Economics for ten years and coached three Varsity High School Sports. Ms. Spanakos’ journey with autism began in 1992 with the birth of her son Nicholas. There was very little out there as far as information,conflicting methodology, and insufficient support services. My husband and I decided that the best thing for our son was for me to stop teaching and work with Nicholas twenty-four seven. Since then Ms. Spanakos has been the driving force in developing the self contained program for autistic children at Manhasset Public Schools. She is
currently President of the Manhasset Parent Association for Special Education, Manhasset Public Schools, Manhasset, New York. Ms. Spanakos has also served on the Hartwick College Alumni Board of Directors, and the AHRC Manhasset Auxiliary Board of Directors.
Janet Barsky is a member of the Board of Directors of the ELIJA Foundation. She received a B.S. degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and holds a law degree from Yeshiva University, Cardozo School of Law. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the East Meadow Public Library and recently completed a
two year tenure as President of the Council of East Meadow PTA's. Ms. Barsky and her family are very connected to the Autism community. Her two children (ages 14 and 17) have happily given of their time over the past four years to be peer models for two beautiful boys with autism, practicing socialization skills and going out into the community. Spending virtually every Friday afternoon into evening with these children has never been a chore, but rather, they would tell you, a privilege. Ms. Barsky's son has spent his highschool years researching how video modeling can be an effective tool in teaching skills to children with autism. He has shared his results at
conventions, like NYSABA and LIAC. The ELIJA School proves wrong those who say "it cannot be done". It
can absolutely be done with energetic educators, committed direction, engaged parents, and a will to provide the before the young autism population.
Allison Roberts M.A
Bio Coming Soon
Professional Advisory Board
Dr. Bridget Taylor BCBA: Dr.Bridget A. Taylor, PsyD, BCBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology from Rutgers University, and received her Masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Columbia University. Dr. Taylor has specialized in the education and treatment of children with autism for the past twenty years. In 1988, she co-founded the Alpine Learning Group, Inc. She currently serves as Executive Director. Dr. Taylor has been influential in the development of other education and treatment programs for individuals with autism by serving on the professional advisory board of programs throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Taylor currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Journal of Behavioral Interventions. She is also a member of the Autism Advisory Group for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. She has authored articles and book chapters related to autism and is a regular presenter at national and international conferences. Alpine Learning Group will provide staff training and consulting to the school.
Dr. Joanne Gerenser SLP,CCC: Dr. Gerenser is executive director of the Eden II Programs (Staten Island, New York), a nonprofit organization serving families with members with autism. She lectures internationally on autism and developmental disabilities. Among her publications is an interactive CD-ROM, Behavioural Programming for Children with Autism.
Please contact us at info@elijaschool.org for information in joining our Associations & Advisory Board
Ph. (516) 216 5270
Fx. (516) 216 5272
