Ricky, BCBA

Clinical Director

“I feel truly privileged to spend my days surrounded by the sounds of children discovering, learning, and growing!”

Hello and welcome! My name is Ricky and I am the Director of The Puzzle Place. My passion for working with young children with autism began when I was 16 years old volunteering for a respite program where I cared for children with autism for a couple of hours every day. Over the years I have held positions working with children in a variety of atmospheres, both inside and outside of the classroom. My dedication to providing high quality developmentally appropriate programming for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with autism and related disorders ultimately led me to pursue a leadership role within the field. My experience includes working as a Behavior Therapist with children aged 2-14 in school and home settings, as well as an Early Intervention ABA Practitioner working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers with autism, asperger’s syndrome and various communication and social delays. I then spent a few years working as a BCBA in both home and school settings before transitioning to The Puzzle Place full time. I feel truly privileged to spend my days surrounded by the sounds of children discovering, learning, and growing! I hold my Bachelors Degree in the Behavioral Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercy College as well as certification for Early Childhood Education in both NY and NJ. In addition, I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, BCBA Supervisor and Licensed Behavior Analyst in the State of NY. I have also been trained in the Early Start Denver Model treatment for children with Autism, PEAK assessment and curriculum, and also in DIR/Floortime. I look forward to meeting and working with you and your children and sharing my experience and love of early learning with you!