Unleash the Power of The Press

LEARN Behavioral

AST Announces Virtual Event for Families and Providers on December 7th

Helping Louisiana Kids and Families with Autism End the Year with Success.

Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or working with autism families? Then you are familiar with the challenges that a change in routine can bring—especially when combined with the glittering lights, festive parties, and general hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, will hold a virtual event entitled “Helping Louisiana Kids & Families with Autism End the Year with Success” on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. CST, to share steps families can take to prepare for and enjoy the holidays on their own terms, while ending the year on a high note.
    
The presenters for this virtual event are Rebecca Mandal-Blasio, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Senior Clinical Director, who leads AST of Louisiana, and Lydia Lindsey, M.S., BCBA, LBA, Clinical Fellow. Dr. Mandal-Blasio and Ms. Lindsey will share practical solutions to help kids and families with autism experience the holidays and end the year with success. This event is also geared towards providers who work with autism families. The virtual session includes:

•    Helpful handouts for families
•    Opportunities to ask questions and learn more about autism
•    Information on local support, including AST’s evidence-based, contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy
•    A chance to meet professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of local families

To register for the event, visit this website – lrnbvr.com/louisiana-event

According to Dr. Mandal-Blasio, “Nurturing potential in an entire generation of children with autism takes more than a single person or organization. Our goal is to provide the best possible support to our local autism families.”

Serving the Louisiana community, AST’s team of clinicians provide individualized, evidence-based interventions based on the principals of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in client’s home, at their learning centers, as well as in the community and/or school. AST’s learning centers are located in New Orleans, Covington, Slidell, and Marrero, while also serving Monroe and the greater Baton Rouge area. AST is part of LEARN Behavioral, a national autism organization, with providers throughout the U.S. For more information about AST, visit https://autismtherapies.com/locations/louisiana/
    
About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to nurture the unique potential of children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights and best practices refined through our decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients through brands that include WEAP, AST, BACA, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, SPARKS, and Priorities ABA. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child in our care. 

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”
LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify, Apple, Blog Talk Radio, Google Podcasts, and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk.

AST Announces Virtual Event for Families and Providers on December 7thRead More

Total Spectrum Opens in Aurora, IL

Total Spectrum, part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, has announced the opening of their newest location at 4222 Meridian Parkway, Suite 106, Aurora, IL 60504.
    
A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house was held in July with Total Spectrum’s Aurora leadership team and city officials and chamber members, including Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin; Karina Garcia, Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Jessica Linder Gallo, President and CEO, Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce; Alderwoman Shweta Baid, Alderman Edward Bugg and Ron Woerman, Alderman-at-Large.

Total Spectrum’s Aurora leadership team and city officials and chamber members

With more than 30 years of clinical research and practice, Total Spectrum is a renowned leader in early comprehensive behavioral treatment for young children with autism. Total Spectrum’s Aurora location offers in-home and center-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and counseling (including telehealth) services. The new center’s highlights include a large indoor gross motor center, in addition to a life skills room for clients to work on daily living skills, such as washing and putting away clothes and making a bed. 

The Aurora center is led by Blair Monfre, MS, BCBA, Clinical Director and is Total Spectrum’s sixth location in Illinois. To meet significant demand for their services in the area, Total Spectrum continues to add to their team and is hiring additional Behavior Technicians.
    
Total Spectrum delivers services in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and is part of LEARN Behavioral, a national autism organization, with providers throughout the U.S. For more information about Total Spectrum, visit https://www.totalspectrumcare.com
    
About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to nurture the unique potential of children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights and best practices refined through our decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients through brands that include WEAP, AST, BACA, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, SPARKS, and Priorities ABA. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child in our care. 

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”
LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify, Apple, Blog Talk Radio, Google Podcasts, and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk.


 

Total Spectrum Opens in Aurora, ILRead More

LEARN Behavioral Hires Meg Galletti as Chief People Officer

LEARN Behavioral, a national organization of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, has recently appointed Meg Galletti as Chief People Officer. 

Meg Galleti

Galletti will be based at LEARN Behavioral’s corporate headquarters in Baltimore, MD. In her new role, she will be responsible for uniting functions across the organization’s multiple provider brands as well as further strengthening company culture and building a discipline that supports the company’s growth. LEARN Behavioral’s providers are located throughout the U.S. and include Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), Behavioral Analysis Center for Autism (BACA), Behavioral Concepts (BCI), Total Spectrum, Trellis, SPARKS, and Priorities ABA. 

With more than 20 years of experience, Galletti has a broad history in executive human resource roles across a variety of industries around the globe. Most recently, Galletti has provided advice in the areas of internal business culture development, human resources, learning and development, and organizational structure across a broad range of portfolio companies within the private equity sector and within the tech start-up space.

Galletti’s career includes tenure with upscale hospitality companies including Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.  As a leader in the internationalization and cultural assimilation of those brands, Galletti has led those organizations’ efforts through a number of corporate acquisitions. 

For four years prior to LEARN Behavioral, Galletti was a consultant to various domestic and international clients, providing support around human resources, organizational structure and business culture issues, including the provision of operational guidance as Consulting Chief People and Culture Officer to address both start-up and organizational restructuring needs.

In the four years prior to that, Galletti served as Operating Advisor at Pegasus Capital Advisors, LP after serving as Vice President, Human Resources and Training at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

Galletti holds a bachelor of arts in Russian/Soviet Area Studies from Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She has also completed master’s work at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Washington, D.C.

Galletti is a mentor to numerous human resources industry executives far and wide. Over the years, her career has taken her around the world—from New York, Chicago, IL, and Dallas, TX, to Hong Kong and Italy. She returned to Baltimore eight years ago and resides in Owings Mills, MD. Outside of work, Galletti is passionate about and committed to supporting experiential learning.

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to nurture the unique potential of children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights and best practices refined through our decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients through brands that include WEAP, AST, BACA, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, SPARKS, and Priorities ABA. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child in our care. 

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”

LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk

LEARN Behavioral Hires Meg Galletti as Chief People OfficerRead More

LEARN Behavioral Appoints Marissa Mata as Director of New Hire Training Operations

 LEARN Behavioral, a national organization of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, has recently appointed Marissa Mata as Director of New Hire Training Operations.

Mata brings over a decade of organizational behavioral management experience to LEARN Behavioral. In her new role, Mata will be based in the company’s Chicago, IL, office and oversee new hire training operations, while building and implementing scalable training strategies across the organization.   

Marissa Mata

LEARN Behavioral’s providers are located throughout the U.S. and include Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), Behavioral Analysis Center for Autism (BACA), Behavioral Concepts (BCI), Total Spectrum, Trellis, and SPARKS. 

Prior to joining the company, Mata was the Director of Strategic Initiatives for G6 Hospitality (Motel 6) based in Carrollton, Texas, where she oversaw the Program Management Office and led a team of experts dedicated to creating a better and safer guest and employee experience enterprise wide. Her career includes a 12-year (combined) tenure as Director of Solution Center Services for Rent-A-Center of Plano, Texas, and as Director of Revenue Operations for LQ Management of Irving, Texas.

Mata is a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD). Mata and her teams have been recognized with training awards, including Training & Development Magazine’s “Outstanding Training Initiatives” award and their “Training Top 125” award over six years. She has also been honored by ATD with the ATD BEST Award.

Mata holds a bachelor of arts in economics from University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. She is a resident of Dallas, TX.      

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to nurture the unique potential of children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights and best practices refined through our decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients through brands that include WEAP, AST, BACA, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, and SPARKS. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child with autism in our care. 

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”

LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk

LEARN Behavioral Appoints Marissa Mata as Director of New Hire Training OperationsRead More

Total Spectrum Opens New Location in East Lansing and Is Now Hiring

 Total Spectrum, part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization serving children with autism and other special needs, has recently opened the doors of their new learning center at 2248 W. Mount Hope Road, Okemos, MI 48864.

A ribbon cutting ceremony with Total Spectrum East Lansing’s leadership team and the Lansing Regional Chamber was held in May, followed by an open house.

Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) members joined with staff from Total Spectrum for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Total Spectrum’s newest location in East Lansing.
 
L-R: Daria Buzun, Chamber Ambassador; Casey Jacobsen, Chamber Ambassador; Marcy Rzepka, Chamber Member Relations Manager; Alando Chappell, Chamber Ambassador; Tim Daman, President of Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Trisha Evans, Clinical Director – Total Spectrum; Artimese King, Clinical Fellow – Total Spectrum; Meaghan Olger, BCBA – Total Spectrum;  Brittany Ooms, BCBA – Total Spectrum; Tom Hamp, Chamber Ambassador;  Kristen Ebert, Chamber Ambassador.

With more than 30 years of clinical research and practice, Total Spectrum is a renowned leader in early comprehensive behavioral treatment for young children with autism. Total Spectrum provides contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, diagnostics, speech therapy and counseling, as well as parent training and school consultation services to children and families with autism spectrum disorder.

The East Lansing location is Total Spectrum’s third location in Michigan. To meet significant demand for their services in the area, Total Spectrum continues to add to their team and is hiring additional Behavior Technicians.

Total Spectrum East Lansing’s team currently comprises 30 staff members and is led by Trisha Evans, M.A. BCBA, Michigan Senior Clinical Director along with Cheryl Geniesse, who is the managing behavior analyst overseeing the East Lansing location.

Total Spectrum delivers services in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and is part of LEARN Behavioral, a national autism organization, with providers spanning 18 states and the District of Columbia. For more information about Total Spectrum, visit https://www.totalspectrumcare.com

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to nurture potential in children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights refined through decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients across 18 states and the District of Columbia through brands that include AST, BACA, WEAP, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, and SPARKS. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child in our care.

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”

LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk

Total Spectrum Opens New Location in East Lansing and Is Now HiringRead More

Wisconsin Early Autism Project Opens New Location in Oak Creek and Is Now Hiring

The Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, has recently opened the doors of their new learning center at 140 E. Rawson Avenue, Suite 201, Oak Creek, WI 53154.

A ribbon cutting ceremony with WEAP’s leadership team was held Tuesday, May 4, 2021, and representatives of the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce welcomed the company.

Wisconsin Early Autism Project opens the doors of their new Oak Creek center with a  grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on May 4, 2021.
[Left to Right]  Doug Milinovich, President of South Suburban Chamber of Commerce; Brooke Marcellis, Clinical Director of Total Spectrum; Heather Bania, Clinical Director of WEAP; Linda Klotz, BCBA and Assistant Clinical Director of WEAP.
 

WEAP is the first provider of autism services in Wisconsin. With more than 25 years of clinical research and practice, WEAP is a world-renowned leader in early comprehensive behavioral treatment for young children with autism. Oak Creek is WEAP’s sixth location in Wisconsin. To meet significant demand for their services in the area, WEAP continues to add to the Oak Creek team. The company intends to hire more than a dozen full- and part-time Behavior Technicians.

WEAP is the sister company of Total Spectrum, another autism provider that is part of LEARN Behavioral. Oak Creek’s leadership team comprises clinical staff from both companies and is led by Clinical Directors Heather Bania of WEAP and Brooke Marcellis M.Ed., BCBA, LBA of Total Spectrum.

WEAP’s clinicians provide individualized, evidence-based programs in the client’s home, at their learning centers, and in the community and/or school. Their applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services include diagnostic services, home services, special skills group services, and teleABA (telehealth) services. 

“Research has shown that children with autism can make significant and life-changing gains through early comprehensive treatment that is based upon the principles of applied behavior analysis,” said Bania. “We are dedicated to meeting the needs of young children with autism and families in Milwaukee County through our comprehensive treatment program at our new Oak Creek location.”

With locations in Altoona, Brookfield, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee and Oak Creek, WEAP is one of LEARN Behavioral’s autism providers in the Midwest—and part of a national team of providers spanning 15 states and the District of Columbia. For more information about WEAP, visit www.wiautism.com

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to personalize treatment for children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights refined through decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients across 15 states and the District of Columbia through brands that include AST, BACA, WEAP, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, and SPARKS. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child in our care. 

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”

LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk.

Wisconsin Early Autism Project Opens New Location in Oak Creek and Is Now HiringRead More

LEARN Behavioral Names Winthrop, MA Resident as Director of Mental Health

LEARN Behavioral, a national organization of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, has recently appointed Marisa Petruccelli, Psy.D., a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Massachusetts, as Director of Mental Health. 

In her new role, Dr. Petruccelli will integrate and unify LEARN Behavioral’s providers in mental health by clinically and operationally standardizing the services across the network, ensuring the highest quality of care. LEARN Behavioral’s providers are located throughout the U.S. and include Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), Behavioral Analysis Center for Autism (BACA), Behavioral Concepts (BCI), Total Spectrum, Trellis, and SPARKS. 

Marisa Petruccelli, Psy.D.
Marisa Petruccelli, Psy.D.

A clinical researcher with a background and training in behavioral analysis, Dr. Petruccelli has more than two decades of experience in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology and a Doctor of Psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington, D.C. She completed her early graduate training at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., and completed pre- and postdoctoral training at The May Institute, Inc., in Randolph, MA. She is a clinical psychologist licensed in Massachusetts. 

Previous to LEARN Behavioral, Dr. Petruccelli was the clinical director at the May Center for Evaluation and Treatment at The May Institute, Inc., overseeing operations, assessment and clinic services licensed by the Department of Public Health, as well as the clinical staff of licensed psychologists, postdoctoral fellows and predoctoral interns with specialized training in the Autism Diagnosis Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). Dr. Petruccelli held several roles during her 10 years with The May Institute, including The May Center’s director for Home-Based Services. Most noteworthy during this time, Dr. Petruccelli established intensive in-home behavioral services for youth with severe emotional disability through the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI). 

Dr. Petruccelli is a research fellow in the Department of Psychology at University of Massachusetts Boston, where she recently engaged in NIH-grant funded research with children and families to reduce health disparities in accessing assessment and treatment services for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dr. Petruccelli’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders and the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. 

Dr. Petruccelli’s contributed articles have been published in Exceptional Parent Magazine and others.

Most recently, Dr. Petruccelli served as a lecturer at University of Massachusetts Boston for the School Psychology Graduate Program on behavior therapy in schools. She has also been a guest lecturer at Suffolk University, Boston College, Northeastern University and University of Connecticut-Neag School of Education, discussing various topics in behavior analysis. 

Dr. Petruccelli’s invited addresses include presenting at International Society for Autism Research. She has also presented at teacher professional development series events in public school districts around the New England area. Over the years, Dr. Petruccelli has presented at many local, regional and national conferences and workshops, including Applied Behavior Analysis International’s annual conventions. 

Dr. Petruccelli is a recipient of an Intramural Research Training Award from the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Petruccelli is a former subcommittee member of the Massachusetts Autism Commission.

She is a resident of Winthrop, MA.

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to nurture the unique potential of children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights and best practices refined through our decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients through brands that include WEAP, AST, BACA, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, and SPARKS. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child in our care. 

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”

LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk

LEARN Behavioral Names Winthrop, MA Resident as Director of Mental HealthRead More

Wisconsin Early Autism Project Relocates to Larger Space in Altoona and is Expanding their Behavioral Services Team

The  Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), a regional provider and part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization serving children with autism and other special needs, has recently relocated from 2125 Heights Drive, Suite 2F in  Eau Claire, WI to 1413 Winchester Way, Suite 1, Altoona, WI 54720.

WEAP’s new Altoona center serves children and families in the Eau Claire area and surrounding counties and is led by Cassie Sedlacek, LCSW, Clinical Director. The new location has a larger footprint and can better accommodate a growing client base and additional staff. 

Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) recently relocated to a larger space in Altoona and held an outdoor grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on April 1, 2021. Shown left to right:  Phillip Swiler, Vice President of Investor Relations for the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, Cassie Sedlacek, LCSW, Clinical Director of WEAP Eau Claire/Altoona, along with WEAP staff Brittany Schumacher, Heather Boss, Mary Hopton-Smith and Kimberly Wroblewski.

WEAP is currently enrolling preschool-aged clients and expanding their behavioral team. They are hiring more than a dozen behavior technicians at the new location.

“Our new center’s clinical space is larger than our previous space, which enables us to offer center-based treatment for the first time officially, whereas previously, we had clients occasionally in our clinic,” explained Sedlacek. “Our new space offers a single-floor design that allows for safe and accessible treatment for our clients. A safe outdoor play area, which was not available at our former location, is in our future plans.”

WEAP’s talented team of clinicians provide individualized, evidence-based programs in the client’s home, at their learning centers, and in the community and/or school. Their applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services include diagnostic services, home services, special skills group, and teleABA (telehealth) services. 

An outdoor grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony with WEAP leaders and the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce at the new Altoona location was held Thursday, April, 1, 2021. 

With locations in Altoona, Brookfield, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, and Oak Creek, WEAP is one of LEARN Behavioral’s growing, nationwide organization of local providers, now spanning across 15 states and the District of Columbia. For more information about WEAP, visit www.wiautism.com

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN Behavioral specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to nurture the unique potential of children and young adults with autism. With clinical insights and best practices refined through our decades of service to the autism community, we support more than 5,000 clients through brands that include WEAP, AST, BACA, BCI, Total Spectrum, Trellis, and SPARKS. Our team consists of more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®, and 4,000 behavior technicians who share a common mission: to find success for every child in our care.

“Connecting the Autism Community One Podcast at a Time”

LEARN Behavioral provides valuable insight and information from inspiring individuals in the autism community through their unique All Autism Talk podcast found on Spotify and on their website at www.learnbehavioral.com/allautismtalk

Wisconsin Early Autism Project Relocates to Larger Space in Altoona and is Expanding their Behavioral Services TeamRead More

LEARN Behavioral Partners with Indiana-Based Behavior Analysis Center for Autism

– The company will make significant investments in the clinical staff of the newly acquired company, while providing them with a patient-centric framework and other resources required to meet the unique needs of each child –   

LEARN Behavioral, which specializes in the tailored treatment of children and young adults with autism based on contemporary, family-focused Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, announced the acquisition of the Behavior Analysis Center for Autism (BACA)—a highly respected provider of ABA services to the autism community throughout Indiana.

BACA was co-founded by Carl Sundberg, Ph.D., BCBA-D, who studied under the late  Jack L. Michael, Ph.D., a former psychologist and professor at Western Michigan University who is widely regarded as a seminal figure in the development of ABA therapy. Within the framework of ABA, BACA specializes in verbal behavior—an approach pioneered by psychologist and behaviorist B.F. Skinner—to teach children with language and social deficits.

“We were approached by a variety of potential suitors, but only LEARN Behavioral shared our commitment and capability to provide the highest quality care to our patients, as well as the willingness to invest in the clinical staff who render that care,” said Sundberg, BACA’s Chief Clinician and President. “The people who matter so very much to us couldn’t be in better hands.”

BACA’s other co-founder is Devon Sundberg, M.S., BCBA. In addition to serving as the organization’s CEO, she founded Women in Behavior Analysis(WIBA), a national professional group dedicated to empowering, celebrating and mentoring women behavior analysts, while highlighting their contributions to the field.

“I’m among the thousands of women in our field who admire Devon for her leadership, as well as the resources and recognition she’s provided women who care deeply about their service to the autism community,” said Hanna C. Rue, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LEARN Behavioral’s Chief Clinical Officer.  “We look forward to continuing our deep involvement and support of the WIBA mission for years to come” added Rue.  

“BACA shares our commitment to clinical excellence and outstanding service to children and young adults with autism, as well as their families. We weigh a lot of factors when evaluating a potential acquisition, but none are more important than the strength of a provider’s mission, clinical staff and patient outcomes,” said Michael Maloney, CEO of LEARN Behavioral. “Carl, Devon and their colleagues excel in each of these areas, which is among the many reasons why BACA is an ideal fit for our network”

While BACA will continue to operate under its current brand, LEARN Behavioral will make significant investments in the clinical staff of the newly acquired organization, including providing ongoing training incorporating the latest research in the field of behavioral Analysis.   

“We’re excited to welcome the talented staff at BACA to our team, and to continue the pioneering work of Carl and Devon to provide exceptional ABA services to the Indiana community,” said Justin Funches, President of Autism Services at LEARN Behavioral.   “We look forward to investing in the professional growth of the team and leveraging their deep clinical expertise across our organization.”

With the acquisition of BACA, LEARN Behavioral’s growing, nationwide network of local providers now spans across 15 states and the District of Columbia.  

About LEARN Behavioral

LEARN Behavioral specializes in the tailored treatment of children and young adults with autism based on contemporary, family-focused Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, as well as clinical insights and best practices refined through our decades of service to the autism community.

Led by a team of talented senior clinicians, including Dr. Hanna C. Rue, PhD, BCBA-D, our team includes more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, and 450 Board Certified Behavior Analysts®—a concentration of professionals that is unmatched by any other provider. LEARN Behavioral’s heritage of clinical leadership is rooted in the work of William Frea, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Ronit Molko, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Glen Sallows, Ph.D., BCBA-D, and Carl Sundberg, Ph. D., BCBA-D, each of whom is a pioneer in the treatment of children with autism.  

About BACA

Behavior Analysis Center for Autism (BACA) provides world-class therapy to individuals with autism and other related developmental disabilities, utilizing the scientifically proven principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Our four locations throughout Indiana are staffed with the highest trained and most experienced staff who work with individuals between the ages of 2 and 21.

LEARN Behavioral Partners with Indiana-Based Behavior Analysis Center for AutismRead More