About Us

Armenian Autism Outreach Project Inc. is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization formed in 2006 and made up of professionals, families and individuals with autism and related abilities.

AAOP’s goal is to raise awareness about autism in the Armenian-American community in Greater Los Angeles and assist Armenian families in communities throughout California and the US. This would be done by informing parents, teachers, and administrators about what autism is & how it is diagnosed, best practices in autism education & treatment, and facilitating the sharing of resources between our families.

We also strive to educate the community at large about autism and encourage the involvement of all individuals within our community gatherings and events.

AAOP’s activities include school outreach, teacher seminars, parent informational meetings, television shows, newspaper articles, parent & sibling support groups, family social events, a network of families, and a warm line where we are able to respond to individual needs of our newly diagnosed and current families.

Mission

Our mission is to support the efforts of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); to empower them in self-advocacy by way of education, camaraderie and support; and to educate the Armenian Community for a full and meaningful integration of all individuals.

Vision

Our vision is for an Armenian Community where those members affected by developmental disabilities, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), are equal participants in the daily life of the community at large.

Current Board Members:

Sonia Konialian-Aller, Ph.D., CCC – Licensed Speech Language Pathologist

Dr. Sonia Konialian Aller, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, obtained a Ph.D. degree in Cognitive/Developmental Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington, with a specialty in language development, and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, after receiving her B.A. degree in Psychology from the Beirut College for Women. Since 1983, after completing an interdisciplinary Clinical Fellowship at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute, she has provided services to children with special needs and their families, with a focus on autism, serving diverse populations, particularly Armenian and Arabic speaking families.

Over the past 30 years at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Konialian Aller has served as Supervisor in the Division of Hearing and Speech, Communication Disorders Discipline Director at the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and faculty of its Interdisciplinary Leadership Training in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (CA-LEND). There, she has developed training programs, including assistive technology for infants and young children, and parent IEP coaching. She is also an Adjunct Professor in Communication Disorders at California State University Los Angeles, where she teaches and provides clinical supervision in the Master’s program.

Dr. Konialian Aller is a founding member of the Foothill Autism Alliance, a parent-professional volunteer organization founded in 1998, and has served on its Board of Directors until 2016. In the Spring of 2007 she was elected the Director-Elect of CSHA’s (California Speech and Hearing Association) Division 7. In March of 2017, she was the recipient of CSHA’s Diversity Award in recognition of her work with diverse cultures, diverse professional endeavors, as well as community outreach. As a founding member of the AAOP, Dr. Konialian Aller is excited about developing and providing culturally responsive informational programs and resources, and family- centered parent empowerment supports to assist parents, educators, and service providers in their efforts to identify, advocate for, and meet the developmental needs of Armenian American children with autism and related neurodevelopmental challenges so they can be full participants in their communities.

Nora is a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist in Private Practice in Glendale. She is also a school-based therapist/counselor at various Armenian Schools.

She has earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling both degrees from California State University Northridge. She has been working in the field of education and mental health since 1996 and is very passionate in her line of work.

During her undergraduate and graduate studies she has worked as a teacher both in regular and special education. She has facilitated court ordered domestic violence classes with male perpetrators. She’s been a social worker working with kids with autism and intellectual disabilities and facilitated parent-support groups for their parents. Nora has worked at ARS Child Youth and Guidance Center.

Nora is a board member at Richard Tufenkian Armenian Preschool (since 2007). She is one of the founding members of the Armenian Autism Outreach Project and co-founder at Camp Zavarian in Montrose.

Nora’s thesis project titled “Parenting Workshop: The Armenian Perspective” completed and published in 2001.

Nora conducts workshops and seminars on parenting, anxiety, stress management, classroom management, relationships, marital challenges, social skills, learning disabilities, effects of technology and social media and teacher trainings for various organizations, schools and at educational institutions including as a guest at various TV shows.

Nora believes that social and emotional well-being of a child and individual is very important and empowers students, parents and teachers to become aware of their children’s and students’ needs in addition to being mindful and self-aware of one’s needs and self-care.

Nora Chitilian-Kalachian, M.S., L.M.F.T. – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Taleen Khatchadourian – Parent Advocate / Client Coach & Independent Facilitator

Taleen Khatchadourian attended Armenian school through 9th grade, then Immaculate Heart High School where she learned the importance of advocacy. She later received a BA in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. After graduation, Taleen spent 12 years working in the precious metals industry and another 10 in education, running a successful tutoring company where she contracted with school districts for specialized programs for their students.

From a very young age, Taleen has been an active member of her communities, volunteering and fundraising for many organizations such as Homenetmen, AGBU, USC Friends of Armenian Music, USC Institute of Armenian Studies and many more. She is currently a Board Advisor for the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Peer Support Partner for the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and on the Board of Directors for the Armenian Autism Outreach Project.

Since selling her business in 2018, Taleen has received certifications in Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT), Person-Centered Thinking and has completed all relevant training for Independent Facilitation in Self-Determination. She holds certifications from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Autism Society of Los Angeles, FDLRC, Disability Voices United, Council of Parents, Attorneys & Advocates, and Guidelight Group. She has had the honor of presenting on critical topics such as living life as an Autism family, what it takes to be a friend in Autism, Service Coordination and Advocacy Training (SCAT), and the Self-Determination Program. She enjoys a positive relationship with local regional centers and school districts.

As a Client Coach & Independent Facilitator for the Guidelight Group, Taleen assists transition-aged teens and adults to develop their Person Centered Plans, advocate for appropriate services and live a self-determined life.

Taleen and her husband, Hagop, have 3 children. Their son, Raffi, was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 1/2. Since then, Taleen has been motivated to learn and share all she can with families. She works to advocate for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. And, as part of the board for AAOP, she hopes to reach families that may otherwise feel isolated and support them throughout their journey. Most of all, she believes strongly in its mission to educate the Armenian Community on how best to integrate individuals with ASD into the daily life of the community.

Allison Phillips is a licensed Occupational Therapist. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from USC, her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University, and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from USC. She currently works as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy at the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.

Allison’s background encompasses working with infants and children with developmental disabilities. Her research interests include early risk signs for autism and early autism screening with high-risk infants and understudied populations abroad.

She has traveled to Armenia every summer for over a decade providing medical care in Yerevan and the villages of Vanatzor, Stepanavan, Sisian, and Kapan. She has worked closely alongside the doctors to provide education, strategies, and preventive measures to families of children with disabilities. Additionally, she has collected data on the development of infants and children in these rural areas, in hopes of better understanding child development in Armenia, educating caregivers, and providing developmental resources to rural Armenian families.

Ultimately, Allison strives to cultivate an environment of respect, honesty, and collaboration between professionals and parents and caregivers. She believes in the importance of client-centered and holistic care, where the child’s interests and likes are placed at the center. She strives to provide services with a strengths-based approach, focusing on the child’s strengths and successes in therapy and highlighting ability rather than the child’s disability.

Allison Phillips, OTD, OTR/L - Assistant Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy

Victoria Ohan - B.A. in Art at California State University, Northridge

Victoria Ohan is a social worker helping families in need in the Los Angeles area for over 20 years.

She earned a B.A. in Art at California State University, Northridge. She has been involved in design, theater and costume design for over 30 years. Victoria has been a part of AAOP for over 5 years and has become a trusted and critical part of our organization, currently chairing the events committee.

Founding Board Members

Board
Advisors

Committee Chairs

We thank our founding members

as well as past board members for their dedication to the mission of our organization and look forward to their continued involvement with the AAOP.