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View Staff PageDr. Lincoln has been actively involved in research and treatment for persons with autism and pervasive developmental disorders for the past thirty years. Dr. Lincoln is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of persons with autism, Asperger syndrome and other severe forms of developmental psychopathology. He has published extensively on the biological bases of autism spectrum disorders and on the intellectual and neurocognitive abilities of persons with autism. He has supervised research involving children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Borderline Disorder of Childhood, Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder and Juvenile Bipolar Disorder. He has served as the clinical consultant to community-based residential group homes for persons with autism.
Dr. Sweeten is currently one of the directors of the Center for Autism Research, Evaluation and Service. She was the lead Behavior Specialist at the School for Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders, has developed social skills groups for children 8-10 years of age with autism or PDD, was a behavior consultant in a residential group home, has done research in the area of mental retardation and Tourette's Syndrome and was published for her work on mental retardation.
Dr. Sweeten has been working with discrete trial techniques for over 20 years. She supervises home-based and school-based behavior programs. She is trained in PECS, TEACCH and Social Stories.
Dr. Ene is the Director of CARES services in the Orange County area. She provides consultation and supervision of home-based behavioral treatment programs for children with autism and related developmental disorders. She has extensive experience working with children with autism and pervasive developmental disorders and is well experienced in ABA teaching techniques including discrete trial teaching, pivotal response training, and PECS. Dr. Ene is also proficient in conducting psychological and neuropsychological assessments and differential diagnostic evaluations for children and/or adults with autism spectrum characteristics.
She received her doctoral degree form the California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego in September of 2001. Dr. Alan Lincoln was her academic supervisor and supported her doctoral dissertation research, "Using Social Stories to Teach Specific Social Skills to Children with Autism."
Dr. Feinberg-Gizzo has received training in psychological assessment, discrete trial training, and the use of social stories. She was also a program coordinator for a social skills training playgroup (STAR Program) for children with Autism/Asperger's Disorder/PDD-NOS between the ages of 5-12 years. Dr. Feinberg-Gizzo is a supervisor for CARES and provides consultation and supervision of behavior modification programs for children with autism.
Dr. Ponfick received her MD degree from the University of Colorado. She completed a 4-year General Psychiatry Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, then went on to complete a 2-year Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of California - San Diego in 2006. She served as Chief Resident for both her General Residency and her Fellowship. Being well-trained in both biological and psychological treatments, including evidence-based therapies and medications, makes her a valuable asset to our team.
Since graduating from her formal training, she has worked with Children, Adolescents, and Adults in outpatient and residential settings, in addition to being involved in research.
She attends twice-monthly supervisor meetings and trainings with the staff Psychologists. She provides both direct patient care and informal consultations to CARES staff. We are proud to be able to provide high-quality multi-disciplinary treatment to our clients.
Currently, Ms. Gonzalez is a supervisor for CARES and coordinator for the parent education program which she co-created with Ms. Caroline White. Ms. Gonzalez provides consultation, training, and supervision of home-based behavior modification programs for children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is trained in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), social stories, TEACCH, and Pivotal Response Training, and incorporates these strategies in home-based behavior modification programs daily.
Dr. Harwood has extensive research experience, having completed a one-year long internship placement at San Diego State Research Foundation's Center for Behavioral Epidemiology as well as a placement at the Salk Institute's Laboratory for Cognitve Neuropsychology. She conducted her dissertation research on attention abilities in siblings of children with autism.
Dr. Harwood is trained in Discrete Trial Training, PECS, Social Stories, and behavior modification strategies. Currently, Dr. Harwood provides consultation, training, and supervision for behavior modification programs in San Diego. Dr. Harwood also provides therapy services for children, adolescents, and adults. She is trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy, including the Coping Cat anxiety intervention. Dr. Harwood is one of CARES's facilitators of group interventions including the Coping Cat group and PEERS social skills group. Dr. Harwood is under the direct supervision of Dr. Alan Lincoln.
Dr. O'Bryan is trained in Discrete Trial Training, Pivotal Response Training, Picture Exchange Communication System, behavior modification strategies, play therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy. Presently, Dr. O'Bryan provides behavior consultation, individual and family therapy, and supervision for behavior modification programs in San Diego. Dr. O'Bryan is a Psychological Assistant and is under the direct supervision of Dr. Alan Lincoln.em>
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from State University of New York at Cortland College with an emphasis in Outdoor Recreation. Ms. Sciacchitano has had various experiences working with children in different environments. Her passion lies with working with children on the Autism Spectrum. Ms. Sciacchitano provides consultation and supervision, as a secondary supervisor with CARES, of school-based and home-based behavior modification programs for children diagnosed with an ASD and their families. She has been trained in and incorporates strategies from integrating interventions that include; Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS), TEACCH, social stories and play therapy, as well as, socialization training with groups and peer training.
Mrs. Westerheide graduated from Medical School at the Freie University of Berlin/Germany (1981). Before moving to the United States in 1999, she worked as a physician and psychotherapist in a psychiatric hospital where she diagnosed and treated patients with psychoses, organic changes of the brain, personality disorders, neurosis, addiction, intellectual disability and chronic ill patients. In addition to neurological and internal diagnostic and treatment and personal crisis intervention, Mrs. Westerheide performed treatment of all major neurotic and personality disorders, using Cognitive Behavior Therapy as well as Behavior Analysis.
Mrs. Westerheide is trained in Discrete Trial Training, PRT, PECS, Social Stories, and behavior modification strategies. Currently, Mrs. Westerheide is a behavior supervisor in Orange County; she provides consultation, training, and supervision for behavior modification programs.