Meet Our Team
Meghan Casey, MS, BCBA
Meghan is a founder and director of Aspire, LLC. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with 15 years of experience working with children and adolescents with special needs using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. She graduated with honors earning her BS in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts. Meghan then went on to pursue a Masters of Science in Special Education with a concentration in severe special needs from Simmons College in Boston, and a Graduate Academic Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. She has extensive experience as a residential, clinic, and home-based behavior therapist, has held several roles (lead teacher, case manager, and coordinator role) while at the New England Center for Children (NECC), and held the positions of lead teacher in autism programs in both Massachusetts and South Carolina public schools. Meghan left the schools to pursue a more intensive and effective role in bringing success and opportunity to her clients and families when she helped to create Aspire in 2009. She is driven by her hand in the advancements since made and has many goals yet planed for the future with Aspire, LLC.
Amanda Gilbert, MSP, CCC-SLP, BCBA
Amanda is a founder and director of Aspire, LLC. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist. Amanda studied Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, and graduated with a Masters in Speech-Language Pathology form the University of South Carolina. She began working in the public schools in 2007 where she discovered a love for working with children with autism. Amanda pursued and received a Graduate Academic Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. After working with a number of children with ASD in the school setting for two years she left to pursue a means of serving these children through more intensive therapy to better meet their individual needs. In 2009 she helped create Aspire, LLC with the mission of creating personalized programs for clients and families that promote skill development and independence. Amanda is inspired by the team of professionals she works with every day, and is excited about the future of Aspire, LLC.
Kelley Mallard, MSP, CCC-SLP
Kelley earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Carolina, after earning an undergraduate degree in English. She joined the Aspire team in July of 2013. Kelley has vast experience providing speech and language therapy to children with a wide variety of diagnoses, including, but not limited to Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, apraxia, articulation disorders, phonological impairments, fluency disorders/stuttering, feeding and swallowing disorders, receptive/expressive language delays, and social communication deficits. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Kelley is also accredited by the South Carolina’s Professional Licensing Board. In her spare time Kelley enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending time with her husband, daughter and two dogs.
Sarah Russell, MS BCBA, LBA
Sarah received her Master’s of Science from The Sage Colleges; Sage Center for Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism, and is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. While in her Master’s program, she was awarded the Outstanding Student for the CABA department, and was also a nominee for the Broughton Fellow. She won South Carolina Autism Society’s Therapist of the Year in 2009. Sarah began her work in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2001, working across a number of settings and in a number of capacities including school, home, and clinical settings with a wide range behavioral disorders including Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Down’s Syndrome, and Angelman’s Syndrome, across a wide age range (ages 2-adult). Sarah also works as an adjunct professor at the Sage Colleges, where she teaches graduate level students pursuing Board Certification. She conducts research with the primary focus on manding and motivating operations. Sarah has presented her research at a number of state conferences including FABA and NYSABA, and at the annual ABAI conference.
Shier Morillo, MS OTR/L
Shier received her Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina after earning her bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston, where she studied Sociology and Psychology. In addition to holding her state occupational therapy license, she is also nationally board certified with a practice area of emphasis in pediatrics. She is also a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Shier has been part of the Aspire team since 2017. She loves the interdisciplinary focus at Aspire, and enjoys collaborating with other members of the team to best serve her clients’ needs. Shier is a Charleston native and enjoys going on the boat, reading, and spending time with her family and dog Susie.
Ashley Kouten, MS, BCBA
Ashley is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who received her Master's Degree in Special Education with a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. While receiving her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of South Carolina, she began working as an ABA therapist. After a short time working in the field, she quickly realized her passion for working with children diagnosed with ASD, as well as her fascination with the science and empirical support behind Applied Behavior Analysis. Ashley strives to provide her clients and families with the tools they need to live a functional and meaningful life, and is proud to be beginning her journey as a BCBA at Aspire!
Brittany Pearson, MS, BCBA, LBA
Brittany received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University where she also worked part time for an ABA company and her love for the field developed. Upon graduation, Brittany taught for 6 years in different special education settings in public schools. While teaching, Brittany obtained her master’s degree in science in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Special Education from Texas A&M University. While in her 6th year teaching and simultaneously working part time for an ABA clinic, Brittany decided she wanted to pursue ABA full time as she realized the greater difference she could make for individuals and their families by working in home and clinics. Brittany attended Florida Institute of Technology to obtain her requirements to sit for the board exam and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Brittany has experience consulting in schools, working in clinical settings, as well as home-based settings. She believes she made the best possible decision in becoming a Behavior Analyst as she loves being able to work with and see change not only individuals, but their families as well.
Lauren Morey M.A. BCBA
Lauren is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who received her Master's Degree in Special Education with a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from The University of West Florida. Lauren did her undergraduate degree in Exceptional Student Education from Florida Atlantic University. She then moved to Charleston, SC where she worked as a lead RBT at Aspire! She then moved to California where she became a BCBA in 2021. She focused in training and quality care training at her clinic in California and then became the Assistant Director. Lauren strives to continue to push herself and staff to reach their full potential. She thrives in learning her clients specific needs and creating unique treatment plans that fosters each of their learning capabilities. Lauren loves watching each of her clients learn, grow, and develop new skills! She is extremely fortunate to be back at Aspire and working with many of the same families!
Olivia Carl, MEd BCBA
Originally from Pennsylvania, Olivia began working in the behavioral science field in 2016 after graduating from the University of New Haven with an undergraduate degree in Forensic Psychology. After working in a variety of settings she moved to working in a private school for autistic students ranging in age from elementary to high school. While there she completed her Masters of Education degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a certificate in Autism through Arcadia University. In August 2021 Olivia moved to South Carolina and worked in a public school providing behavior support to the student population. Olivia started with Aspire in April 2023 as an RBT prior to passing her BCBA exam in July 2023. She looks to foster independence in the lives of her clients while continuing to encourage individuality. Olivia has been inspired by the staff here at Aspire and looks forward to growing and learning more from everyone as she begins her journey in the BCBA role.