Meet Our Team

Jim Matthews holds four Bachelor’s degrees from the University of California, Irvine and two Masters degrees in Educational Psychology and School Psychology from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Jim is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Throughout his two decades of working in ABA, he has worked with thousands of children and families both in schools and in private practice. Jim lives in Spokane with his wife and two children. Professionally, Jim has dedicated his life to helping all people with disabilities. He is deeply passionate about helping people who are most in need during the time when they most need it. He feels strongly that ABA can confer meaningful lifelong skills that both enrich and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Heather Tauchen is a BCBA at Firefly Behavior Services. She grew up in Reno, Nevada where she received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with an emphasis in Research from the University of Nevada, Reno. She has worked with children and adults with various disabilities in the clinical, school and home settings. She is a BCBA and graduated with a Master’s in Science in Psychology, Specialization Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University. Heather is a certified instructor in RIGHT RESPONSE which focuses on crisis prevention. Heather has a driving passion for equality and puts others needs before her own. She is adaptable to the demands of her environment and brings her optimistic attitude to every challenging situation.

Ali Casiano is a BCaBA at Firefly Behavior Services. Her parents were in the military, giving her the privilege to live in various locations including Germany, Hawaii and Texas. Ali received her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from The University of Texas at San Antonio and entered the social work field shortly after. She then switched gears to pursue a career in behavior analysis after falling in love with the work she did as a behavior technician. She has experience working with children and families in the home, community and school settings. Ali is currently pursuing her Masters in Science in Psychology, Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University, and is expected to graduate September 2022. Ali enjoys collaborating closely with other professionals and families to maximize learners’ success, and she has a strong passion for ensuring client dignity, respect and compassionate care.