The Team
ACW Leadership Team
Janelle Saunders, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Dr. Janelle Saunders earned her B.A. and M.Ed. From the University of Nevada Las Vegas in psychology and special education, and has been working in the autism field since 2007. She completed her Ph.D. in Special Education from UNLV, defending a dissertation based in Functional Communication Training and communication via the iPad. Janelle teaches graduate level courses at UNLV, focusing on ethics, communication, and speech and language. Janelle plays an integral role overseeing and supporting other supervising behavior analysts, integrating Functional Communication Training, and coordinating the delivery of parent education, training, and family guidance services.
Jon Paul Saunders, BCBA, LBA
Jon Paul began working with children with autism when his younger sister was diagnosed in 1996. He received his B.A. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Special Education with a concentration in autism and Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Jon Paul first studied under Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas at the University of California, Los Angeles where he received extensive training in Applied Behavior Analysis and Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention. As an active participant in the autism community, Jon Paul has sat on legislative committees, worked with public and private school systems, collaborated with parent support groups, and instructed graduate level courses on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Applied Behavior Analysis. Being a professional in the autism community and having a sibling diagnosed with autism have given him a unique perspective and greater compassion for families that share this journey.
Marissa Gaut, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Marissa began working with children with autism in 2013 after first becoming interested in the field when her younger brother was diagnosed at a young age. She earned her BA in Special Education in 2015 before completing her M.Ed. in Autism and Intellectual Disabilities from University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2017. She has worked in various school districts across the country in both Self-Contained and Resource classrooms, as well as a Behavior Specialist. Following board certification, her work experience includes both clinic and home-based settings. As a passionate clinician in the field of ABA & Autism, Marissa is an enthusiastic and very engaging practitioner.
Jandery Vargas, BCBA, LBA
Jandery has been a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada since 2003. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with cum laude accolades, and a double major in Marriage and Family Therapy. In 2010, Jandery began working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a behavior technician. In 2017 she was the assigned behavior consultant in charge of the development and opening of a clinic in Spain. Jandery returned to UNLV to earn her master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in ABA in 2020. She is nationally recognized as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and is a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Nevada (LBA).
Charles Marriott, BCBA, LBA
Charles began his career working with families and their children with Autism in 2004. Charles earned his B.A. in Psychology from Loyola Marymont University with honors before completing his Masters in Special Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Autism Care West was founded in 2009 to continue realizing his vision for helping children with Autism reach their unique potential using ABA methodologies.
Yelena Marriott, M.A.
Yelena is the Practice Manger for Autism Care West and coordinates the intake process; she is also in charge of the company's systems supports and information technology, as well as personnel departments. Yelena has been with the Autism Care West since 2015 and she holds a Bachelors degree from Franklin Pierce University, NH, and an MA from University of Las Vegas, NV. Yelena is also a Civil Affairs reserves officer in the military.
Jona Young
Jona began working in the medical field in 2006 and has been with Autism Care West since September 2021 as the Office Manager and Treatment Coordinator. Before joining ACW, Jona explored the Home Health, Neurofeedback, and Behavioral Health side of the medical field and has enjoyed every moment of the experience. Jona received her certification of Medical Front Office and Billing through Florida Gulf Coast University.
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