ABA Therapy Center – Reston, VA
At Little Leaves, our center-based ABA program is for young children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and is run in a preschool-like setting. It is designed for children up to age 6 who have been recommended for intensive ABA services. Each client works one-on-one with a trained behavior technician on individualized goals with a focus on social communication, social interactions, and school readiness skills. During the day, children have the opportunity to participate in individual therapy time, small group activities with peers, and activities of daily living. While many clients are at our centers for the full day, an individualized schedule is developed for each child based on his/her therapeutic needs.
Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 4:30PM
12330 Pinecrest Road, Suite 100
Reston, VA 20191
Little Leaves is currently in network with:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Carefirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- HSCSN
- John Hopkins Employer Health Programs (EHP)
- Kaiser Permanente
- Oscar Behavioral Health/Optum
- United Behavioral Health/Optum
Contact Us
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Center Director
Jana Murgia
Jana Murgia, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Analyst, and holds a Postgraduate Professional Teaching License for Special Education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She has 15 years of experience working with children with Autism and other disabilities. Prior to working at Little Leaves, she worked for more than 8 years in both teaching and administrative capacities for Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs, which supports students with Autism, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral challenges. Jana earned her B.A. in Psychology from American University and her M.Ed. from Cambridge College, concentrating in Special Education. She is a member of the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis and the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts
Jana Murgia, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Supervising Behavior Analysts
Ashley Panetta
Ashley Panetta, M.A., BCBA, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Behavior Analyst with over 5 years of experience working with children and young adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Her experience includes work in client’s homes as a registered behavior technician and respite provider working with individuals with disabilities and traumatic brain injuries. Ashley has also worked in the public school system as a transition and rehabilitation specialist supporting students in vocational training and instructional support within the community. Ashley earned her B.A. in Health Sciences from Boise State University and her M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis at Arizona State University.
In addition to her work at Little Leaves, Ashley volunteers at the Muscular Dystrophy Association as a camp counselor and program activities coordinator.
Ashley Panetta, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Brittany Stevens
Brittany Stevens, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Behavior Analyst with over 6 years of experience working with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. Her experience includes working with clients and their families in home as a registered behavior technician and a board certified behavior analyst. Brittany earned her B.S. in Human Development from Virginia Tech and her M.Ed. In Special Education with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis from George Mason University.
Brittany Stevens, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Maaham Usmani
Maaham Usmani, BCBA, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has been with Little Leaves for three years during which she has provided early intervention services to children with physical and developmental disabilities in the home, school, and clinic setting. Before holding her current role, Maaham worked as a Behavior Technician, a Senior Behavior Technician, and a Training Specialist with Little Leaves. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Economics from George Mason University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Maaham is currently completing her M.A. in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Pennsylvania State University and is pursuing national certification in the field.
Maaham Usmani, BCBA, LBA
Behavior and Training Specialists
Karma Gurung
Karma Gurung, RBT is a Registered Behavior Technician. She has been practicing ABA for over 3 years. Karma started with Little Leaves as a Behavior Technician, moved on to the role of a Senior Behavior Technician and grown into the role of a Training Specialist. Prior to working with Little Leaves, Karma provided ABA therapy for individuals ages 3-19 in the home setting. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) from University of Charleston, WV. She is currently enrolled in the Masters program in ABA at Ball State University with the goal of obtaining a BCBA credential.
Karma Gurung, RBT
Melodie Pham
Melodie Pham, RBT is a Registered Behavior Technician and has worked with Little Leaves since 2020. She began working as an in-home Behavior Technician before transitioning to a center-based position. She eventually became a Senior Behavior Technician and is now working as a Training Specialist. She received her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Sciences with a minor in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Melodie is currently enrolled in a Master’s program for Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University with the hopes of pursuing a national certification in the field as a BCBA.
Melodie Pham, RBT
Tori Smith
Tori Smith, RBT, has worked with Little Leaves since 2019. Tori has worked with Little Leaves as a behavior technician and a Training Specialist working both one-on-one with the clients and then training staff to do the same. She currently holds the role of Behavior Specialist. Prior to working with Little Leaves, Tori worked providing ABA early intervention services with a similar company as an RBT in the home setting. She received her B.S. in Biological Science and Spanish from Virginia Tech in December 2018. Tori is currently enrolled in a Master’s Program in Applied Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology and hopes to pursue national certification in the field as a BCBA.
Tori Smith, RBT
Saman Hameed
Saman Hameed, RBT has been working with Little Leaves since 2021. She started as a Behavior Technician and transitioned to the role of Training Specialist in 2022. Saman completed her undergraduate education at the University of Virginia in 2021, where she earned a B.A. in Global Public Health and Psychology. Prior to working with Little Leaves, she volunteered in an educational setting with elementary school-aged children from the refugee populations in Charlottesville, VA. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Special Education at Penn State University and intends on pursuing national certification in the field of ABA as a BCBA.
Saman Hameed, RBT
Office Manager
Tiffany Paluska
Tiffany Paluska is the Office Manager at our Reston, VA center. Prior to joining Little Leaves, she worked as an Office Manager for a dental office. She obtained her dental assisting certification in 2016 and began working in dental management in 2018. Tiffany is passionate about children’s healthcare, and she hopes to use her time here to make a difference in the field of ABA.
Tiffany Paluska
Center Photos Coming Soon