Meet the Experts Supporting Your Child
At 123 ABA, your child is supported by a team of skilled, compassionate professionals who understand both the science of behavior and the heart behind it. Together, we create a safe, steady, child-centered path toward meaningful growth at home, at school, and in everyday life.
Our Clinical Team
OWNER & CLINICAL DIRECTOR
Sandy Czarnecki, BCBA
Sandy is a skilled and compassionate Board Certified Behavior Analyst who leads 123 ABA with a child-first, relationship-centered approach. She believes that children learn best when they feel safe, understood, and supported—and she designs every treatment plan with that in mind. Her clinical expertise spans functional behavior assessment, individualized behavior intervention, caregiver coaching, and school collaboration, with a focus on building communication, emotional regulation, and confidence through steady, meaningful progress.
With a B.A. in Mass Communications and French and an M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of South Florida, along with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, Sandy blends academic rigor with a warm, steady presence that families trust. Her work is rooted in best-practice ABA, but delivered in a calm, low-stimulus environment that honors each child’s unique needs and pace.
As a parent to a child who faced significant behavioral challenges—without an ASD diagnosis—Sandy has seen how transformative the right support can be. That experience reinforces her professional belief that ABA is a flexible, research-backed framework that can help any child who needs support with behavior, communication, routines, or emotional development.
Sandy’s leadership is guided by empathy, respect, and the conviction that every child deserves to feel capable, valued, and safe in their learning journey.
Brooklyn Garrison, Lead RBT/Trainer
REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN
With 8 years of hands-on experience supporting both children and adults, Brooklyn brings a steady, energetic, and deeply supportive presence to every session. As a Registered Behavior Technician, she specializes in implementing individualized treatment plans created by the BCBA—helping children build communication skills, independence, flexible thinking, emotional regulation, and daily-living routines in ways that feel natural and achievable.
Brooklyn’s experience spans home, school, and community settings, and she is especially skilled at helping children generalize new skills across environments—one of the core goals of high-quality ABA. Families appreciate her warm, encouraging approach and her ability to turn structured learning into moments that feel fun, safe, and confidence-building.
She aligns closely with 123 ABA’s philosophy: evidence-based teaching, meaningful goals, clear communication with families, and creating a calm, nurturing atmosphere where children can thrive.
BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST/
SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT
Kristina DuPlantis, BCBA, SLPA
Kristina is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), licensed Speech Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA), and Early Childhood (VPK) Educator, with over ten years of experience serving children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. She earned her Master of Arts in Exceptional Student Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of West Florida. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Tampa and completed the Communication Science and Disorders Certificate Program at Florida State University.
Her diverse clinical and educational background provides her with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between special education, behavior analysis, phonological processes, and oral motor development. As a BCBA working with children, she utilizes evidence-based, data-driven interventions to improve functional communication, reduce challenging behaviors, and support skill acquisition across developmental domains. She applies a systematic approach to articulation and language development that aligns with developmental milestones and individualized treatment goals.
Her pediatric expertise includes functional communication training (FCT), behavior intervention planning, parent and caregiver training, and behavior-based feeding therapy. She is particularly passionate about incorporating principles of verbal behavior and communication sciences into applied behavior analysis programming to enhance meaningful outcomes for children diagnosed with autism and other developmental delays.
REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN
Candela Belizan, RBT
Candela is a bilingual Registered Behavior Technician originally from Argentina with experience supporting children and adults in educational, clinical, and in-home settings. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized support to children with disabilities. She prioritizes building trusting, respectful relationships and creating structured, supportive environments where children feel safe, understood, and valued.
Candela has extensive experience working with individuals with diverse learning and behavioral needs, providing academic assistance, implementing behavior support strategies, and offering daily living skills support.Having lived and worked across cultures, Candela brings strong communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to connect effectively with children and families from diverse backgrounds. She is deeply committed to person-centered, evidence-based practice and believes that kindness, consistency, and clear communication are foundational to meaningful behavioral progress.
She is enthusiastic about continuing to grow within a clinical environment where collaboration, data-driven intervention, and individualized care are central to supporting children in reaching their fullest potential. She is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
ORTON-GILLINGHAM TRAINED INSTRUCTOR
Cortni Baker
Cortni is a dedicated educator with a Master of Arts in Teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland University. With a strong academic foundation and a deep commitment to student success, she brings both expertise and compassion to every learning experience. As a certified Orton-Gillingham instructor, Cortni specializes in structured literacy instruction, providing explicit, systematic, and multisensory strategies that support students with diverse learning profiles, including those with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
Throughout her career, Cortni has worked with students across a range of ages and abilities, tailoring instruction to meet each learner’s unique strengths and needs. She believes that all children are capable of growth and achievement when given the right tools, individualized support, and a nurturing environment. Her teaching philosophy centers on building confidence alongside academic skills, ensuring that students not only improve their performance but also develop a positive mindset toward learning.
Cortni is passionate about making education engaging, interactive, and meaningful. Her sessions are purposeful yet enjoyable, fostering curiosity while maintaining high expectations. Known for her patience, warmth, and encouraging demeanor, Cortni creates a supportive learning space where students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and embrace challenges. Her ultimate goal is to empower every student to reach their full potential—academically and personally—while helping them discover confidence in their abilities and a lifelong love of learning.