THE TEAM
Our team is made up of compassionate, experienced professionals who are passionate about helping children and families thrive. We work collaboratively to provide exceptional care and support every step of the way.
Claudia Riquelme
CEO & Executive Clinical Director
Claudia is the founder and executive clinical director of Behavioral Concepts. She has taken on industry leadership roles, participated in ABA conferences around the world and also serves as the executive vice president of the International Neurodiversity Alliance. She earned a Master’s Degree in School Psychology with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from Alliant International University and earned her Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. While she was in Grad School, Claudia worked at several schools to get “hands-on” experience working with children with Developmental Disabilities (i.e. Autism, Fragile X, Cerebral Palsy, Cognitive Disabilities, Down syndrome, Epilepsy). She fluently speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Claudia is a multicultural individual which has had a powerful influence and benefit to Behavioral Concepts and its clients.
Giulia
Assistant Clinical Director
Giulia Medeiros is Behavioral Concept’s assistant clinical director. She has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since June of 2013 beginning as child behavior interventionist and then promoted to a supervisor in 2016. In May of 2018, she graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s in education for the curriculum and instruction of ABA. Giulia proceeded to become a board-certified behavior analyst in in June of 2019. Giulia thoroughly enjoys working with children with autism, down syndrome, and ADHD and their families.
Jessica
Director of North Orange County
Jessica is the Director of North Orange County and a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA). She has earned her Associates of Arts degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and recently graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She chose this field because of the socially significant changes made by the implementation of empirically based strategies. She believes ABA suits her strengths in scientific understanding, and the lives she impacts fuels her passion. Jessica graduated with a Masters of Education Program in Curriculum and Instruction: Applied Behavior Analysis.
BernardO
Office Business Director
Bernardo is Behavioral Concept’s Business Office Director and he is tasked with hiring, human resources, helping families with insurance needs, and several other duties. Bernardo started with Behavioral Concepts as a behavior technician and has been with the company for over 10 years. Bernardo is passionate about the field of ABA and wants to ensure that everyone at Behavioral Concepts provides that highest quality of care and shares our same values. Bernardo always aims to create an environment where the staff feel valued, comfortable, and part of the team. Bernardo interacts with all of our families to ensure that they are satisfied with the services they receive.
Richard E. Laitinen, Ph.D., BCVBA-D, LBA
Clinical and Curriculum Consultant
Dr. Richard Laitinen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with a doctoral degree from the University of California in Santa Barbara, and postdoctoral studies from the University of Washington, in Seattle. Dr. Laitinen is a curriculum and instructional delivery expert with an extensive publication and teaching record. He is also the Clinical and Development Director at Educational and Developmental Therapies in California. Dr. Laitinen is an active member of the Association of Behavior Analysis International and co-hosts a weekly international scientist/practitioner forum that will be archived at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies.
UNITED BY A COMMON MISSION
We believe in collaboration, compassion, and continuous growth. Our team stays current with the latest research and best practices to ensure that every family receives the highest standard of care.