Get to Know Our Team
Dr. Jacobsen, Fau, Karen, and Sarah support a trained team of Behaviour Interventionists and Student Program Supervisors who all work together to provide the best quality program possible for all the children attending GABA.
Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen
Ed. D, BCABA-D
As a Registered Psychologist and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst – Doctoral, I have been providing consultative ABA services to families of children with autism since 1998, but have assisted families facing the challenges of autism, brain injury and other complex developmental disabilities since 1979. I received my Doctoral Degree in Educational Psychology and Special Education from UBC in 1990 and completed a two-year post-doctoral study in the Department of Social and Educational Studies. My prior work as a teacher included teaching children in regular and special education classrooms and coordinating services in a large school district for children with learning differences, learning disabilities, and behavior disorders. I have also taught university students about children with autism and developmental disabilities, including courses in assessment and appropriate interventions. As a mentor to the professionals at ABA Learning Centre, I have participated in presenting many workshops and training sessions. Over the last 25 years I have provided workshop training throughout the province in school districts and communities and I have also presented workshops and training about autism internationally in the United States and China.
Sarah Gentile
Program Manager GABA Burbaby
Over the past 5 years I have supported students in Fawkes DL, GABA Program, home teams, and in facilitating social skills groups for young children, I completed the Disability and Applied Behavioural Analysis program at Douglas College in 2011. In November 2015, I graduated with a Masters of Education in Special Education with a concentration in Autism and Developmental Disabilities from the University of British Columbia. I value working collaboratively with parents and other professionals in order to facilitate learning and development of the individual. I am a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and I am grateful to be in a position that allows me to learn and grow both personally and professionally.
Fanifau Avaiki
Program Coordinator GABA Burnaby