Elika Shahrestani is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years experience working with children and adolescents with special needs. She obtained her Masters of Science in Counseling and Applied Behavior Analysis from CSULA, where she developed expertise in Positive Behavior Supports and Pivotal Response Treatment. Elika launched PeerBuddies in Santa Barbara in 2012, and was thrilled to be celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2022! She is most passionate about inclusion and regards it as the key element in ensuring meaningful gains are achieved when teaching social skills to individuals with special needs. Elika and her husband reside in Santa Barbara, CA. Her greatest joy in life is being the mom to two incredible daughters, Amélie and Marlowe. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach with her children and playing beach volleyball.