STEPPING STONE CENTER - Key Persons

Dr. Geetika Agarwal

Job Titles:
  • Consultant Behavior Analyst
  • Consultant Behavior Analyst Advisor
Dr. Geetika Agarwal, Ph.D., BCBA-D is a Doctorate level behavior analyst (BCBA-D) and a licensed psychologist (inactive) in the state of Washington USA. Currently, she is an Associate Director at SSC and is also an Assistant Teaching Professor of Autism and ABA at Ball State University. She completed her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri Columbia in School psychology and was selected for a highly competitive APA (American Psychological Association) accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Marcus Autism Centre and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia. Following this, she completed her post-doctoral training in Atlanta, Georgia in Psychology. Before relocating to India in 2016, Dr. Agarwal, was a tenure track Assistant Professor of Psychology at Clark Atlanta University, owner of a private practice, and an Assistant Director at a Behavioral Healthy agency. In all these roles, she got to provide training to new clinicians, supervise clinical programs, set up parent training programs, while actively furthering her research. Currently, Dr. Agarwal, is an Assistant Teaching Professor of ABA at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.

K Amritha

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director Management Team

LeAnn Decker-Shah

Job Titles:
  • Consultant Behavior Analyst
  • Consultant Behavior Analyst Advisor
LeAnn Decker-Shah is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (Oregon, Washington, and Virginia) based out of Portland, Oregon, USA. She received her B.S. majoring in Cultural Anthropology from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. She then completed her master's degree in Childhood Education (with certification in Special Education) through Mercy College in New York City, New York, USA. While teaching in a residential facility for developmental disabilities in New York State LeAnn was introduced to the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and immediately began her BCBA coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology remotely while remaining a teacher full-time and a behavior technician part time. LeAnn is now in her third year as a doctoral student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in the in Applied Behavior Analysis program. LeAnn became interested in disseminating the science of ABA in India after frequent visits to visit her in-laws. She was introduced to Stepping Stones Center leadership through her doctoral program due to shared interests. In her spare time, LeAnn enjoys traveling with her spouse, exploring locally with her dogs, gardening, and embracing the outdoors on days filled with nice weather.

Ms. Priya Buran

Job Titles:
  • Program Supervisor
  • Paediatric Occupational Therapist
Ms. Priya Buran is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, holds Master degree in Clinical Psychology in 2007 and Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from Government Medical College, Nagpur in 2001. She has an experience of more than 21 years in the field of working under various disciplines for both adult and child intervention centres. She is Certified Sensory Integration Therapist from University of Southern California in 2012. She is trained in handwriting without tears in 2015. She was certified as a Group Leader by Com DEALL trust, Bangalore in 2012. She trained in Brain Gym Activities in August 2016. She is a distinguished expert on Sensory Integration Therapy. Her work with children has been extensive for the last 13+ years with various special needs along with mainstreaming as well as special schools in India. She has a keen interest in fine motor skills and Pre writing skills, Visual Perception and Motor planning skills. She has conducted different trainings for therapists, teachers, educators, professionals and parents across various locations in India.

N P Shilpa

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director Management Team

Neethu Mol S

Job Titles:
  • Head of Inclusive Education
  • Head of Inclusive Education Management Team
Neethu Mol S has M.Phil. from Jain University and Master's degree in Psychology specialized in Clinical and Counselling Psychology from St. Agnes College, Mangalore. Currently, she is also pursuing her B.Ed. in Special Education. She has received vast training and experience in working with different Organizations as a professor, department head, counsellor and special educator. Holding 10+ years of experience in practicing counselling, being a special educator and trainer, she has also received the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Life Time Achievement National Award for achievements in the field of teaching, research & publications organized by International Institute for Social and Economic Reforms (R), Bengaluru. With excellent leadership and communication skills, she is currently the Head of Inclusive Education at the Stepping Stones Center's Inclusion Program at Saandeepani Academy for Excellence.

Poornima Chandran

Job Titles:
  • Program Supervisor
  • Applied Behaviour Analysis Technician
Poornima Chandran is an Applied Behaviour Analysis Technician(ABAT) under the The Qualified Applied Behaviour Analysis Credentialing Board (QABA). She has a postgraduate degree in clinical psychology and has been working in the field of special education and ABA for over 7 years. The satisfaction of bringing a change, however small, in the life of a parent and a child with developmental delays is the reason behind her passion for this job. Poornima is pursuing her Qualified Behavior Analyst (QBA) certification.

Vijaya Singaravel

Job Titles:
  • Administrator
  • Administrator Management Team
Vijaya Singaravel did her B.Tech in (chem), PGDPE (CIPET, Chennai) and was working as an Assistant Production Engineer in one of the fam Companies in Karur Dist. and continued her courses in MBA(HR) and Web Animation. Since she was interested in the education field, she did her B.Ed. and ‘Train the Trainer' courses which gave her more understanding and experience in the field. She taught students at Auro Mirra International School which widened her knowledge in Multiple Intelligence, Integral education and how to interact with students that had special needs. Currently Vijaya is working as an administrator in Stepping Stones Center since 2015 understanding and interacting with students with special needs/autism.