About Us

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Caity Russ, M.Ed., BCBA, COBA

Caity Russ is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She received her Masters in Special Education with a Concentration in Behavior Intervention. During her supervision experience to become a BCBA, she was first an intervention specialist for students who needed behavior support, and then gained experience as an RBT. She has experience in the school, home, and center-based setting. She has worked with students across age ranges, disability categories, and severity of behaviors. Her most meaningful experience is being a friend and caregiver to three individuals that are family to her. 

Caity is passionate about parent and teacher training and believes that behavior change is a team effort. She loves to keep up on progressive research in ABA and share it with others. She uses and modifies many of Dr. Greg Hanley’s interventions to help clients achieve a happy, relaxed, and engaged state. The best part of her job is teaching skills that help her clients better access their environments and in many cases, improve quality of life for clients and their caregivers. 

When she is not working, she loves to hike and explore new trails in CVNP. She loves to read and binge watch suspenseful thrillers!

Board Certified Behavioral Analyst

Nikolette Scruggs

As a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA), Nikolette Scruggs empowers individuals every day to reach their full potential. It is why she became an BCBA. Nikolette received her master’s degree in special education and behavior intervention certificate from Kent State University and has been helping people ever since. 

For Nikolette, the most rewarding aspect of her career is having the opportunity to meet and get to know so many amazing children and families. She works daily to help them accomplishment new goals and learn new skills. 

When she is not at work helping children, she enjoys spending time with her own young son as well as reading and playing volleyball.

Registered Behavior Technician

Gordana Kovcic

Gordana Kovcic is a registered behavior technician (RBT) at ABA Behavioral Specialists.  She graduated from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology.  She is currently working on receiving a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Kent State University.  After recently joining our team, she is very excited to be able to help those in need.

Gordana’s favorite part about this job is being able to meet so many different children and their families while watching them grow as individuals with the help of ABA.  The children learn and acquire new skills while the parents are being taught how to help their children succeed.

While she’s not at work Gordana enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching some of her favorite Netflix shows, dancing, and traveling.

Registered Behavior Technician

Cassandra Harrison

Cassi Harrison is an RBT for ABA behavioral specialists. Prior to becoming an RBT she was a Court Appointed Special Advocate and helped many children who needed a voice. Cassi is currently attending Kent State University majoring in Psychology. Her plan is to receive her Masters degree in counseling specializing in trauma. Even though Cassi is new to the RBT world she immediately fell in love with this company and the kiddos she works with! She loves working and interacting with the families, and seeing the progress these kids make. 

When she is not working she loves spending time with her three children and husband outside at a park, or a baseball field.  She loves reading, working out, and watching scary movies! 

Registered Behavior Technician

Bailey Patouhas, MSW, RBT

Bailey Patouhas is a registered behavior technician (RBT) for ABA Behavioral Specialists. She received her Bachelor of Arts in child psychology from Kent State University. She received her Master of Social Work with a certificate in children, youth, and families from the University of Pittsburgh. Bailey has worked as an RBT in the in-home setting since 2018. 

She chose to pursue this profession because she loves working with children and has seen the positive impact that ABA can have. The most rewarding part of working as an RBT is helping clients and their families achieve new goals!

When not working Bailey likes to camp, exercise, read, paint, and spend time with family and friends.