Jenna has been in the field of early intervention for over a decade and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2020. She graduated with her bachelors degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas and obtained her master's degree from the University of South Wales. Most recently, she moved back to the Sacramento area after helping support the launch of a clinic in Bavaria, Germany.

She brings experience in Project ImPACT, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Jenna is passionate about providing hands-on support to parents, helping them feel confident and empowered in their child’s growth. With experience across home-based care, clinics, and school settings, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her work. 

At the core of Jenna’s values as a clinician are compassion, connection, and curiosity. She is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with families and tailoring support to meet the unique needs of each child.

Susana Razumovsky is a mother of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and before her time working with EDAC, she participated in parent coaching/play group with her child. Susana has had years of experience with working with children with ASD. Susana has experience in classroom inclusion, in-home 1:1 support, and has received Group-ESDM training.  She is a Lead in the area of Instructional Assistant Training for EDAC and GESDM Trainer, Apprentice in the Sacramento sites and joined the company in the Fall of 2017.

Matthais Zierhut
Inclusive Specialist/Group ESDM Trainer (Apprentice) 

Matthais is an experienced Instructional Assistant with nearly a decade of service at the Early Days Autism Center (EDAC). His professional practice is grounded in evidence-based intervention and developmental science, with a particular focus on fostering inclusive learning environments for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Since beginning his career in 2016, Matthais has worked across a range of educational and therapeutic contexts, including Every Child Bay, where his approach was shaped by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of collaborative, child-centered learning. Over time, his scope of practice has expanded to emphasize individualized developmental supports, emotional attunement, and the systematic promotion of social participation and belonging.

Matthais is actively engaged in Early Days Autism Center’s intensive professional training pathway in the Group Early Start Denver Model (G-ESDM), an empirically supported, play-based intervention demonstrated to advance social communication, cognitive development, and adaptive functioning in young children with ASD. In this role, he contributes both to the direct implementation of the model and to the training of new practitioners, supporting fidelity development and ensuring alignment with research-based standards of care.

His clinical competencies include behavior support planning, co-regulation strategies, and activity design within naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention frameworks. These skills are consistently applied to promote generalization, functional engagement, and measurable developmental gains.

Respected for his calm presence, precision in implementation, and responsiveness to each child’s learning profile, Matthais exemplifies EDAC’s commitment to growth, reciprocity, and community belonging. His longstanding contributions and clinical versatility have established him as a valued member of the EDAC community and a reliable resource for colleagues, families, and interdisciplinary partners.

Sydney Manning
Instructional Assistant 

Sydney is a compassionate early childhood educator whose professional path reflects a longstanding commitment to nurturing the growth, autonomy, and joy of young children. Her journey into the field of autism support began during adolescence, when she first encountered the profound impact of attuned relationships and inclusive practices while working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This formative experience laid the foundation for her relational and strengths-based approach to care.

As a camp counselor, Sydney led a wide range of group activities designed to foster social connection, self-expression, and belonging. She honed her skills in behavior support, activity planning, and responsive communication—tools that continue to shape her presence within the learning environments at Early Days Autism Center (EDAC). Her subsequent role as a full-time nanny deepened her understanding of individualized developmental support and the power of attunement in building trust and promoting co-regulation.

Sydney brings to EDAC a thoughtful, hands-on approach rooted in patience, adaptability, and a belief in each child’s capacity for growth. Her work reflects EDAC’s guiding values of inclusion, reciprocity, and relationship-based teaching. Whether supporting group engagement or offering one-on-one care, Sydney is devoted to co-creating environments where children feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

Raya Liebscher
Instructional Assistant

Raya recently graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in psychological sciences, where she gained knowledge of behavioral change and child development. This has provided a strong foundation for creating an environment with behavioral support and emotional regulation. She has a passion to create a space for children to feel heard, seen and valued within their learning environment. Raya gained experience through working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder for six years. Starting from a young age, Raya, learned a new approach to working with children, rooted in patience and respect.

Deeply inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, Raya believes in the power of play, curiosity, and child-led exploration. She is committed to fostering meaningful relationships, encouraging self-expression, and supporting children in becoming confident, capable learners. Guided by the belief that every child holds immense potential, Raya brings warmth, experience, and intention to the classroom each day—creating a space where wonder and discovery thrive.