Thomas Long, Executive Director and Co-Owner
Master of Occupational Therapy, Tennessee State University
Thomas Long is an accomplished Occupational Therapist with a passion for elevating the standard of care. With his background in occupational therapy and prior experience as an Executive Director, he brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic leadership to Creekside Autism Center. His mission is to help children thrive in their daily lives by fostering independence and enhancing overall well-being.
Before co-founding Creekside Autism Center, he spent years honing his skills in providing personalized, evidence-based interventions. He is committed to advancing holistic childhood development through collaboration with other childhood development specialists. His approach is rooted in creating impactful, client-centered experiences that address unique needs and propel Creekside clients and their families toward their goals.
Manuela Molina, BCBA and Clinical Director
Master of Education, Foundations in Behavior Analysis, University of Cincinnati
As the BCBA-Clinical Director, Manuela develops and executes impactful behavior change programs, interprets data insights, and delivers comprehensive clinical guidance and mentoring. Her background includes natural environment training, safety care training, and specialized autism care techniques. Fluent in Spanish, she enables us to help more children, ensuring everyone feels included and can access support. Manuela leads the clinical team with a focus on personalized interventions tailored to each individual’s unique needs. With a commitment to continuous learning and innovation, she ensures that the services provided are at the forefront of the field, empowering children to reach their maximum potential.
Dr. Lauren Best, ABA Quality Assurance Consultant
Ph.D. in Special Education, University of Georgia
Dr. Lauren Best is a dedicated doctoral level board certified behavior analyst with extensive experience in developing and implementing effective behavior change programs, analyzing data, and providing clinical training and supervision. Holding a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Georgia, Dr. Best’s expertise lies in advancing the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with a focus on clinical excellence. She has a passion for parent training, where she aims to empower families with effective strategies for supporting their children. Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Best enjoys spending time with her family, cherishing moments with her husband and two toddlers.
Chandler Sheriff, Lead Registered Behavioral Technician
Early Childhood Education – Special Needs, Georgia Gwinnett College
Before joining our team at Creekside, Chandler spent three years fully immersed in the transformative field of ABA. Armed with a background in early childhood education and a minor in special education, Chandler is responsible for implementing Creekside’s therapy techniques, working directly with children every day. She brings her passion and energy to teach skills such as communication, socialization, and self-care. As an RBT®, she implements the plan developed by the BCBA and works collaboratively with the team to make sure the plan is working. She routinely collects data from testing to continually improve the approach, helping ensure the best possible outcomes for the children in her care.
Melanie McGriff, Co-Owner
M.Ed. in Communication Disorders, Mississippi University for Women
B.S. in Speech Pathology, Georgia State University
Melanie McGriff, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is co-owner at Creekside Autism Center and owner, executive director, and practicing speech therapist at Kid’s Creek Therapy. Kid’s Creek therapy has long had a reputation as an autism specialist, and Melanie personally assisted families who sought help beyond OT, PT, and speech for their children with autism. She co-founded Creekside Autism Center because it is what she wanted for many of these families – ABA services offered in collaboration with an occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
Melanie has worked with children in a variety of settings including the school system, home health, and private clinics. She previously served on the board of lead speech language pathologists (SLPs) in Atlanta for public schools. Melanie enjoys teaching and mentoring new therapists, and previously taught introductory courses in speech pathology at the University of West Georgia. Melanie and her husband Shane have been married since 1992 and have three children, Rayden, Mimi, and James.
