Research-based treatment for autism

FirstPath Autism gives you access to field-tested, evidence-based treatments used successfully by autism professionals.

About FirstPath Autism

A simple question inspired the creation of FirstPath Autism: “Why should effective autism treatments be kept from parents or care providers?”

We believe that by providing families and professionals with access to the same clinical treatments we use every day, we can help more children reach their potential and interact successfully with their peers.

Who We Are

Romina Kiryakous

FirstPath founder Romina Kiryakous is a pioneer in autism treatment who has dedicated her career to developing innovative treatments for even the most challenging cases of autism.

Romina earned her master’s degree in psychology, with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The focus of her doctoral dissertation was research in psychology and the theory of mind. She was inspired by the remarkable treatment results achieved by ABA pioneer O. Ivar Lovaas. With over a decade of research and hands-on experience in Applied Behavior Analysis, Romina and her colleagues at Genesis Behavior Center researched and refined their own unique, proven treatment for autism.

Romina founded FirstPath because she wanted more children to receive this evidence-based treatment — treatment that has already improved the lives of hundreds of children and their families.

Amalie D. Holly

Amalie D. Holly graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts (1995) in psychology, and earned her Master of Science with Distinction (2002) in psychology/behavior analysis from California State University Stanislaus.

While at CSUS, Mrs. Holly was a Lab Assistant in the Learning Lab; a Research Assistant for the study of the behavioral application of adaptive neural networks and computer simulations of learning; and a Teaching Assistant in both social psychology and advanced interpersonal communications classes. As a practicum student, Mrs. Holly provided family counseling services at Stanislaus Community Counseling Center and was a Behavioral Counselor at Behavioral Pediatrics, Inc., providing services for children with ADHD and their parents.

Mrs. Holly’s areas of expertise include psychology, applied behavior analysis, experimental analysis of behavior, autism, ADHD, special education, positive behavior support methodology, group training, and interagency collaboration. She has worked as a service coordinator at Valley Mountain Regional Center, a behavior specialist/analyst at various non-public agencies providing services to children with autism, and an autism specialist and behavioral intervention case manager at county offices of education. She has also provided independent behavioral consultation to various school districts throughout California and at children/adult care homes. In addition, she has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in positive behavioral supports at Chapman University.

Mrs. Holly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in good standing since 2003 and is a program director for Genesis Behavior Center, Inc., an agency that provides early intervention and other program services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. She is a member of the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA) and the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS).

Bill Holly

Dr. William J. Holly earned his Ph.D. in philosophy (1975) at the University of California, Irvine. His doctoral dissertation (Program-Resistant Aspects of Knowing That and Knowing How) appeared in the Philosophy of Mind and Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Holly’s areas of specialty are philosophical psychology (philosophy of mind), epistemology (theory of knowledge), and British analytic philosophy. He earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy at the University of Oregon.

Dr. Holly has taught a wide variety of introductory courses in philosophy (reasoning, introduction to philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, and free will and determinism), as well as upper division and graduate courses in philosophy of mind, theory of knowledge, philosophy of science, professional ethics, and social and political philosophy. Dr. Holly has taught at several colleges, including the University of California at Irvine, the University of Oregon, Pitzer College, and California State University Stanislaus.

For over a decade, Dr. Holly has been an adjunct instructor of philosophy at Modesto Junior College, where he regularly teaches reasoning, ethics, and introduction to philosophy, and lectures on positive behavioral support and the adverse side effects of punishment on children. His publications on the philosophy of mind include “Student Self-Esteem and Academic Success,” in Oregon School Study Council, and “The Spatial Coordinates of Pains,” in The Philosophical Quarterly. Dr. Holly has also presented many papers at philosophical colloquiums on such topics as “What are Beliefs?”, “Searle’s Chinese Puzzle: Lost in the Brain,” “Deconstructing Causal Destruction and Reverse Worlds,” and “On the Rumored Groundlessness of Our Scientific and Moral Beliefs.”

Dr. Holly has written extensively and given presentations to various committees and state legislators on the effects of divorce on children. He is a member of the American Philosophical Association.

Genesis Behavior Center, Inc.

In 2003, Romina founded Genesis Behavior Center, Inc. in response to the needs of children with autism.

Genesis was unique from the start, with exceptionally high educational requirements for its clinicians and a willingness to take on the most challenging cases. The unique treatment approach used at the center results in an 85%-95% average success rate.

Romina realized that the secret of effective autism treatment is only known to autism professionals. She strongly believes that these techniques should be shared with all parents and professionals.

FirstPath Autism’s program is based on the treatment approach that resulted in high success rates achieved by Romina and her team. The videos can be used in conjunction with other skills training and behavioral programs.

View Genesis Behavior Center’s Website

Sample Treatment Videos

Our treatment video library covers a range of behavioral, social, and academic skills.

Dressing Skills

Getting dressed and putting clothes away helps to give your child a sense of independence.

Interactive Play

Build social and interactive skills with typically developing peers in a natural play environment.

Emotions Labeling

Being able to identify and recognize emotions is key to strong social interactions at home and school.