Meet Our Clinical Admin Team at Positive Steps ABA
Yasamin "Irene" Sarpoolaki, BCBA Owner & Founder
Irene is the Lead Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Owner of Positive Steps ABA, a clinic she established to offer personalized care. She earned her master’s degree from Ball State University in 2015 and completed additional ABA coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology. Since 2012, Irene has worked in the field, providing support to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and related diagnoses in diverse settings.
Before founding Positive Steps ABA, Irene amassed extensive hands-on experience in clinical administration, serving as a direct care worker, Registered Behavior Technician, and later as a BCBA and Clinical Director in various clinics throughout Florida. These positions shaped her clinical approach and reinforced her dedication to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and individualized services to families.
In 2020, recognizing the need for a more personal and supportive alternative to large “big-box” companies, Irene opened Positive Steps ABA. Her vision was to create a clinic where families feel genuinely supported and heard, and where staff feel valued, appreciated, and connected—facilitating stronger relationships and better outcomes for clients.
When she’s not working, Irene enjoys playing fetch with her goldendoodle and spending quality time outdoors with her husband and little boy!
Dr. Julianne Ramirez, Clinical Director BCBA-D
Julianne is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been actively working in Applied Behavior Analysis since 2017, focusing on children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She earned her PhD in Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT).
With extensive experience in clinical administration, Julianne provides support to children and families in various settings, including clinics, homes, schools, and within the community, aligned with the principles of Positive Steps ABA.
Born and raised in Miami, Julianne has resided in Brevard County since 2019. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, reflecting her family's Cuban and Spanish heritage.
Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Julianne enjoys dancing, cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family, as well as taking her dog, Luna, to the beach!
Kayla DeBenedittis, Assistant Clinical Director BCBA
Kayla is the Assistant Clinical Director and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Positive Steps ABA, bringing over 10 years of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis to her role. She earned her master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in behavior analysis from Nova Southeastern University and has been a BCBA since 2020. Her clinical approach emphasizes ethical, compassionate, and evidence-based practices tailored to the unique needs of each individual and family served by Positive Steps ABA.
In her clinical administration role, Kayla is dedicated to supporting meaningful growth through collaboration with families and clinical teams. She values building strong, trusting relationships while maintaining a professional and approachable presence. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys time with her growing family, which includes her baby, three dogs, and one cat—an experience that continually reinforces the importance of patience, connection, and balance in her work.
Lexus Guerrero, Operations Director
Lexus oversees the business side of Positive Steps ABA so our clinical team and behavior analysts can stay focused on the children in our care. He directs daily clinic operations, human resources, compliance, credentialing, technology, and facilities, serving as the key point of contact between our leadership, our staff, and the families we serve. Additionally, he holds the roles of PSABA's Privacy Officer, Security Officer, and Safety Officer.
With over fifteen years of leadership experience in clinical administration, healthcare, and public safety operations, Lexus is well-equipped for his role. Before joining PSABA full time, he served as a Detective with the Homestead Police Department, specializing in financial crimes and fraud investigations. He completed training in ABA fraud investigation presented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, which informs his approach to maintaining careful records, clear policies, and establishing a clinic that families can trust with their information and their child.
Lexus has been part of the Positive Steps ABA story since the beginning, supporting the practice from its founding in 2020 and assisting with early payer credentialing prior to assuming the Operations Director role in May 2026. He led the organization in its preparation for accreditation with the Autism Commission on Quality, developing the policies, training systems, and quality safeguards that support the dedicated care delivered in our clinic every day.
Theodore Sarpoolaki, Emotional Support Animal
My name is Theodore, and as a Goldendoodle, I've got a heart as golden as my fur, and I'm honored to be a part of our clients' journey, especially those working with behavior analysts and clinical administration teams. You see, I'm not just your average pup - I'm specially trained to provide support and comfort to kids with autism through Positive Steps ABA. With my gentle demeanor and patient nature, I'm here to be your steadfast companion through every adventure and challenge.
I understand that the world can sometimes feel overwhelming, with its loud noises, bright lights, and unfamiliar faces. But fear not, because I'm here to help make things a little easier. Whether you need a friend to snuggle with during a tough moment or a buddy to play with when you're feeling joyful, I'm here to be by your side.
My training as an emotional support animal has taught me all sorts of tricks to make life a little smoother for both of us, and I'll always be there to offer a comforting paw or a reassuring nuzzle.
But don't worry, I'm not all business - I've got plenty of fun tricks up my sleeve too! Whether it's playing ball in the backyard, going for a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood, or just lounging around on a comfy sofa, I'm always up for an adventure.
So if you're looking for a furry friend who understands you and accepts you just the way you are, look no further than Theodore. Together, we'll navigate the world with courage, compassion, and a whole lot of tail wags.