About us

Parent of an elementary school aged child with ASD, Membership Development Manager at Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Ventura County Affiliate for Autism Society of California, Elmhurst Elementary School Affiliate for Ventura Unified School District’s Special Education District Advisory Committee.

Diagnosed with ASD at age 10, the society aided Brandon in his youth by giving him and his mother a safe space to better understand and overcome his unique challenges. Now an adult, he has returned to ASVC as a board member to advocate for parents and young adults facing similar challenges. Against all odds, he has cultivated a successful career for himself in Information Technology, and enjoys photography in his spare time.

Vivian Nguyen, M.Ed. BCBA, is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been working with families and individuals with special needs in a variety of settings since 2013. Vivian received her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Vivian enjoys spending time with her family and pets, singing karaoke and traveling.

Grant is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist in private practice.  He has worked with individuals with ASD and their families for over 30 years.  Grant is passionate and dedicated to supporting our community.  

Realtor, Certified Negotiation Expert, Certified Distressed Property Expert, SFR Certified, HAFA Specialist.

Traci Ultreras, Ph.D. is a dedicated professional working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2010, for a company that provides supported living services and teaches independent living skills. Traci enjoys spending time with her family, playing sports, and reading.

Michelle is a special education teacher that is passionate about supporting students with autism. She has been in the field for almost a decade and continues to further her education and expertise in supporting the community. She aims to end the stigma by empowering and advocating for those who are neurodivergent. Prior to ASVC, she was in the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan and the Philippines, where she taught English and volunteered with an international non-profit, One Billion Rising, to spread awareness against violence towards women and children.

Ashton Benedickt is an Autistic Neurodiversity Advocate and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst™. She serves as the Executive Advisor of Clinical Operations at CABA, supervising BCBAs in Ventura County and across California. Ashton is a mom to autistic children, an educator, and a researcher with a deep commitment to autism advocacy and neurodiversity. As an adjunct professor at the State University of New York, New Paltz, Ashton teaches Life Span Development of the Autism Spectrum and Ethics to graduate students, bringing personal insights as an autistic individual to her professional work. With over a decade of experience in autism services, she specializes in addressing severe behaviors, including self-injury, aggression, and elopement. Ashton looks forward to bringing a lived experience perspective to the board and would love to expand programs in Ventura County that aim to support underserved autistic adults.

Megan joined the ASVC team in September 2024. She had previously spent over 16 years in various leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. With a strong passion for serving the community and fostering a sense of belonging, Megan aims to lead strategic initiatives that will elevate ASVC’s mission of supporting individuals with autism and their families throughout Ventura County. Outside of work, Megan has participated in many years of volunteer roles with the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, Haven Hills Women’s Shelter, Actors Repertory Theater of Simi, and YMCA Sleep away camp programs. She loves spending time with her loved ones, camping, and enjoying a great theater production or concert.