Our ABA Team
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Hi, I’m Heather Vesel, co-founder of Peak Autism Services. I have been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2011. However, I have been working with children with autism using behavior analysis since 2003. I got my master’s degree from St. Cloud State University. Prior to that, I received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I have always wanted to help children, and when I found behavior analysis, it made me happy on so many levels. The scientific nature of behavior analysis satisfies the nerd in me. The way it helps others satisfies the part of me that wants to save the world….one child at a time. Lastly, building Legos and catching bugs for a living allows me to remain a child at heart. I can think of no better way to spend my time. I hope that the passion I have for my job shows in everything I do. E.B. White once said, “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world.” I feel the same way, so I also try to find time to enjoy life. I love to travel, camp, hike, and generally anything outdoors. I also enjoy playing the piano, going to concerts, going to sporting events, and shopping. Colorado Springs is the perfect place for me because it has all of those things.
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Hi, I’m Shawn. I’m a co-founder of Peak Autism Services, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I graduated from St. Cloud State University (MN) with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2005, and a master’s in ABA in 2009. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals of all ages, with a variety of diagnoses and ability levels, and in a variety of settings, including individual family homes, group/foster homes, schools, and center-based treatment. I’ve worked specifically with kids and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) since 2008. As a behavior analyst, I’m rewarded by the chance to do work that matters, within a legitimate science that can make a real difference. It’s not easy, and progress can never come fast enough, but it works. As a business owner, I’m lucky to work with such an amazing team, who care so much about what they do, and work hard to do it better each day. Most importantly, as a clinician, what absolutely makes my career is when I get to see children learning significant, meaningful, functional skills. Things like verbs and colors are all important, but when a child learns to communicate with their parents, or use the bathroom independently, or even sit in a restaurant for an hour without having a tantrum… that’s life-changing not only for the child, but for the whole family. That is, without question, why we do what we do.
Heather Vesel, MS, BCBA
Shawn Vesel, MS, BCBA
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I’m Carissa Harris. I have been working in the field of behavior analysis since 2014, and I became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2018 through Florida Institute of Technology. I received my Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology from Wright State University in Ohio, and I attended University of the Rockies where I received a Master’s in Administrative Psychology. I knew I wanted to become a BCBA only a few months into this field, because I witnessed the progress kids were making, learning to communicate and developing new skills. As someone who was intensely shy as a child, it meant so much to me to help kids learn to express their wants and needs. Also, as someone who is a total nerd, I love looking at graphs, taking data, and thinking of the best ways to teach kids certain skills, which is what behavior analysis is all about. I am very passionate about what I do, and I love getting to know the kids that I work with while being silly and having lots of fun with them. On my off time, I am still a giant nerd who loves books, writing, musicals, super heroes, video games, and trivia nights at local breweries.
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I’m Anna Hasbrouck, a clinical supervisor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I graduated from Montana State University with my master’s degree in special education in 2018, and my bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences in 2011. I have over ten years of experience utilizing applied behavior analysis practices with children with neurodevelopmental and emotional-behavior disorders in school, day treatment, clinical, and home settings. Using effective and evidence-based practices to help children and families with behavioral, social, and emotional challenges is a strong passion of mine. I believe that all behavior is a form of communication; a way to get things we want, remove things we don’t want, express how we feel, and engage socially with others around us. Each day I am amazed by the kids I work with and the gains they make, regardless of how large or small. As a native to Colorado, I am happy to be back in this beautiful place after spending twelve years in Montana. When I am not working, I can be found playing board games, baking cookies, skiing, camping, and backpacking.
Carissa Harris, MA, BCBA
Anna Hasbrouck, MS, BCBA
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My name is Maria Fouts. I graduated from Pikes Peak Community College in 2017 with an AAS in Baking and Pastry and Culinary Arts. That year, I also went through a 200-hour yoga teacher certification course. Though I loved baking and decorating cakes and other desserts, my yogic side quietly urged me to find a career with less stress and more positive impact on my community. The opportunity to become a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and change career fields came in October 2018, and I took it enthusiastically. Now, I find immeasurable joy in my work with Peak Autism Service’s hard-working, amiable clients, and let out my silly side with abandon. When I am not pretending to be an animal or chasing after kids, I’m pursuing my passions of yoga and culinary arts, watching something funny on Netflix, or spending quality time with a loved one.
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My name is Baylee Chestnut. Originally from the Midwest, I found my heart in Colorado—drawn in by the beauty of the mountains and the thriving ABA community. Becoming an RBT has been nothing short of life-changing. I’ve discovered a team of passionate people who care deeply about helping children grow, always honoring each child’s unique perspective and pace. I believe in meeting kids where they are, celebrating their progress, and creating joyful, safe spaces where they can thrive. Whether it’s singing, colorful makeup, playing guitar, or sharing my love of animals and plants, I bring my whole self into every session. Kids respond to authenticity—and I’ve found they adore the same qualities the world sometimes tries to quiet. One little girl once pointed at my colorful face and said, “That’s a mermaid.” I took that to heart. I pledge to be the best “mermaid RBT” I can be, always growing, always learning, and always celebrating the magic in every child.
Maria Fouts, AAS, RBT
Baylee Chestnut, RBT
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Hi, I’m Adam Garcia, I am the Operations Manager. I am originally from El Paso Texas where I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso). I received my master’s from Ball State University. I have gone through many types of jobs/careers (from construction worker to being a driving instructor). None of them were fulfilling like working in the field of ABA. The ability to help individuals on a one-by-one basis leaves a feeling like no other. You become so attached to each family that work no longer feels like work. I have also gone through many ABA companies until I found the right one (this one). Peak strives for individuality as well as independence. Working with such a diverse team has helped me grow and find the me that I am proud to be. Here at Peak, I make a difference, and not just a difference that benefits me, but one that benefits everyone around me. The communication/collaboration among the Peak team is unique. Everyone’s opinion is heard and decisions are made together.
Adam Garcia, MA, Operations Manager
