our team
Lu Grant
Director
Lu is a lifetime resident of Simpsonville South Carolina. After graduating from Mauldin High school, she studied Special Education at the University of South Carolina Spartanburg. She received specialized training in Autism, working for a replication site under Dr. Michael Wolfe, a student of Dr. Ivor Lovass’s 1985 study on the effects of Applied Behavior Analysis and the impact of treatment on those on the Autism Spectrum. She has given most of her professional career to advancing therapies and therapeutic interventions that can have a positive impact on those diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder.
Lu’s devotion to Special Education began as a child, with an older sister with Special Needs. She witnessed first hand her parents’ determination to make her sister’s life one of joy and purpose. She became a fierce advocate for those who often were left behind due to a diagnosis or mis-diagnosis. Her life experiences helped fuel Lu’s true passion.
In 2015, Lu began the Little White House to serve a growing gap in services in Upstate South Carolina. Its purpose is to provide a Skill Building Center for those diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. She is passionate about providing a “personal” approach to helping those families effected by Autism. She continues to create programs for her clients and provide them with life experiences that otherwise they may not have, such as participating in horseback riding, art, and life skill integration – with a goal of normalizing and de-stigmatizing Autism.
Nikki Bailey
Board Member
Nikki Bailey is joining our team by coming along side our special needs families with compassion and experience. Nikki has a background in emergency medicine while in her home state of Ohio. The Bailey family moved to the Upstate area in 2011. Her oldest daughter was then diagnosed with Autism in 2012, thus changing Nikki’s career path into family support for special needs families. Since then she has helped the community in a diverse variety of support and advocacy.
Nikki has worked as an Office Administrator/Patient Advocate for 2 pediatric clinics in the upstate over the last 7 years. This role allowed her to assist and encourage families. Nikki has a gift of helping families navigate from evaluations, paperwork, approvals, diagnosis, treatment and medical care/support assistance. Helping families understand the sometimes-overwhelming processes can help them approach this path with more clarity and understanding, thus being able to help their child succeed.
Physical empowerment is also vital to helping the participants achieve their personal greatness. Nikki gets to help them achieve these goals by coaching the Special Olympics powerlifting team at Tri-fit Barbell in Mauldin.
She is very excited for this opportunity to serve on the board, bringing passion and commitment to helping our families.
William Killion
Emeritus Board member
William Killion, PhD, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health in Travelers Rest, S.C. Dr Killion has a PhD in Developmental Psychology and is the author of the Functional Independence Skills Handbook, or F.I.S.H., Developmental Program, which is a curriculum for ABA used world-wide and translated into multiple languages. He is also the owner of ABA, Applied Behavioral Analysis, a practice that services many areas of South Carolina, and has served as adjunct psychology professor and consultant to psychiatric and behavioral facilities for behavioral plans for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Dr. Killion has over 40 years of direct experience with individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. He is a frequent national speaker on ABA and how to address significant negative behaviors.
Leslie Mills
Board Member
Leslie Mills became interested in Autism Advocacy and Education after a family member was diagnosed with Autism in 2010. She has spent the last decade researching and creating opportunities to help those with autism live extraordinary lives and become educated through a holistic approach. Leslie has served as Co-Founder, Member of the Board & Admissions Committee of The Little White House and Founding Member of Friends of The Little White House. She also serves as Co-President of the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) of Montessori School of Mauldin. Working in the Medical Industry for more than twenty five years, she has held various roles within Siemens Healthcare to include Clinical Sales, Sales Management, Global Competitive Strategist and most recently Sales Training and Enablement for North America. Leslie earned a BS from Mississippi State University in Biological Sciences and completed her RDMS Certification in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. She also holds a yoga certification from Radiant Child Yoga specializing in Children with ADD and Autism. Leslie is beyond grateful to have the opportunity to give back to The Little White House in return for the love, support and hope it provides to many amazing children and families.
Cassandra Gorton
Board Member
Cass Gorton has been advocating for children with autism since a family member was diagnosed in 2002.
Upon moving to Greenville in 2006, she worked with Greg McKee and Lu Grant to design and implement YMCA Camp Greenville’s Spectrum Family Camp, a model now adopted by other camps throughout the country. She has volunteered with various other schools, agencies and organizations to provide supportive services and therapies for children with autism in the Upstate.
An attorney serving the poor and underprivileged since 1993, her current practice includes guiding parents of disabled children through the guardianship process in probate court. She does this through community speaking engagements as well as individual representation. Cass has been an avid supporter of Lu Grant and her work with children with autism for more than twelve years, and she currently serves as secretary on the board of the Little White House.