Talisha A. Sachlis M.S., BCBA, LBA  

Executive Director, Founder

Talisha graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology from George Mason University and received her Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She completed her Applied Behavior Analysis coursework through George Mason University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She began her career as a Behavior Therapist for Fairfax County Public Schools in 1998. After one year, Talisha was promoted to a supervising teacher for the ABA Pilot Program. She was responsible for supervision and implementation of in-home and school setting ABA services for children diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite the numerous efforts by the parents, the Pilot Program ended. Talisha opened Leap Ahead, Inc. in 2002. She served as a Board Member from 2014-2015 for the Autism Society of Northern Virginia and was the Chair for the Education and Support Committee.