Melaura Erickson-Tomaino, Ph.D.

Board of Directors

Melaura Erickson-Tomaino, Ph.D., is the Co-Founder and Principal of Port View Preparatory® School. Her prior positions include Director of Clinical Services for Beacon Day School in La Palma, CA, and Behavior Program Supervisor for the Center for Autism Research, Evaluation, and Service in San Diego, CA. Dr. Tomaino has more than 13 years of experience serving students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Tomaino has conducted extensive research on ASD with a focus on using communication as the basis for successful teaching and behavior strategies to eliminate the use of restraint in children with autism.

Dr. Tomaino has been an Assistant Professor in the School of Counseling/Psychology at Azusa Pacific University and has taught numerous graduate courses at Claremont University. She has published multiple articles.