4893 East Beltline Ave NE Suite 310 Grand Rapids, MI 49525
#1 Rated Behavioral Science Staff in Grand Rapids, MI
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Owner
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Owner
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Owner
Tom received their certification as a BCBA in 2016. After receiving an undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University in Music Education, Tom went on to work as a non-certified teacher in a self-contained room autism classroom. During this time Tom earned their Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis through Arizona State University. Tom worked as a BCBA at several companies in the greater Grand Rapids area before starting The Applied Behavioral Science Institution in 2018. Tom's primary influence has been by the work done by Dr. Gregory Hanley, who's approach to working with children focuses on empowering autistic individuals to find their own voice and develop a strong sense of self advocacy. Tom has worked with children with disabilities in the clinic, home, school, and community settings for the past 12 years. Tom runs The Applied Behavioral Science Institution with Ashley and together they are raising 6 children in the Rockford area.
He/Him/They/Them
Ash Hales - Practice Manager/Owner
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Owner
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Owner
Ash received their undergraduate degree for Zoology from Northern Michigan University in 2005. Tom (other owner) and Ash, were both raised in the Grand Rapids area and have 6 children together. Ash has previous experience as the Director of the Pet Care Center for a local Veterinary Clinic. They love spending time with their pets and children, playing games with friends, and singing in a local choir.
They/Them/Theirs
Aaron Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Owner
Aaron Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Aaron has worked as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst for the last 3 years after receiving their M.Ed degree in ABA from the University of Arizona. Aaron strives to bring a collaborative, client centered approach to their work with people in a way that celebrates the strengths in everyone. Outside of ABSI, Aaron is a practicing Zen teacher at the Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple, and a loving parent to their two cat children.
They/Them/Theirs
Randy Hoekstra M.A. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Randy Hoekstra M.A. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Aaron Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Randy Hoekstra entered the field of ABA in 2013 as a behavior technician. Since then, he has implemented ABA as an RBT, program manager, and became a BCBA in 2021 after completing his hours and graduating from Ball State University with an M.A. in ABA. In his practice, Randy strives to meet client's where they are and build programming that decreases problematic behavior by teaching functional communication, self advocacy, and coping skills to help build tolerance. Outside work, Randy loves reading, being in nature, and spending as much time with his family as possible.
He/Him/His
Jake Savage - QBHP
Randy Hoekstra M.A. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Jake Savage - QBHP
Jake is a QBHP for the company. Jake went to Grand Valley State University for his undergrad and got his BS in Psychology in 2014. He started doing ABA in 2017 and has been working as a behavior technician since then. He recently received his Master's in ABA and will soon be sitting for his exam to become a BCBA! In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his cat, playing disc golf, playing video games, and reading.
He/Him/His
River Emert - QBHP
Randy Hoekstra M.A. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Jake Savage - QBHP
River began working as a Behavior Technician in 2018 before graduating from Central Michigan University in 2019 with a Bachelor's of Political Science. River then completed their Master's of ABA at Capella University in 2022. She enjoys watching sports and playing DND in her spare time.
They/She
Nicolette Williams - QBHP
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
Nicolette attended Eastern Michigan University where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, with an endorsement in cognitive impairments. She then went on to receive her Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2023. Nicolette has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 11 years and has a passion for challenging individuals to help them reach their potential.
She/Her/Hers
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
Tammy has been doing medical billing for 10 years. She received her Associates of Applied Science from Baker College of Muskegon with her major being Medical Insurance Billing and Coding. Tammy also works as a Program Assistant with the Special Education department and is also a substitute teacher when needed.
Luke Kelley - Office Assistant & Scheduler
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
Paige Levitte - Human Resources Assistant & Behavior Technician
Luke has been working with Children with Autism since 2014 in positions of in home care, ABA technician, and case management. Luke has a wife (who also works on our staff!), an 18 year old adult foster son, and a new baby at home!
Paige Levitte - Human Resources Assistant & Behavior Technician
Paige Levitte - Human Resources Assistant & Behavior Technician
Paige Levitte - Human Resources Assistant & Behavior Technician
Paige is a Behavior Technician who also duels as our human resources assistant! She graduated from Olivet College in 2020 with a degree in Psychology. She loves live music, record collecting and antiquing.
She/Her/Hers
Addy Edgington- Lead Behavior Technician
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Behavior Technician & RBT
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Behavior Technician & RBT
Addy is a lead behavior technician with our company. They are currently working towards an associates degree at Grand Rapids Community College for psychology, in order to achieve a degree in psychiatry. Their passion is to work with kids and mental health. In their free time they love to spend time with friends and watch true crime documentaries.
Pronouns: They/She
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Behavior Technician & RBT
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Behavior Technician & RBT
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Behavior Technician & RBT
Alaysia is a lead behavior technician and an RBT. She is originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where her tribe resides (Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians). She grew up on the reservation with her grandmother, but left after high school to pursue a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience at Grand Valley State University. In her free time I love to be creative! Painting, drawing, writing, and dancing are some of her favorite past times.
Pronouns: She/They
Heather Kelley - Behavior Technician
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Behavior Technician & RBT
Breanna Greiner - Behavior Technician
Heather is a Behavior Technician with us. She received her undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University in 2016. Since graduation, Heather has been working in a variety of positions in the mental health field.
Breanna Greiner - Behavior Technician
Breanna Greiner - Behavior Technician
Breanna Greiner - Behavior Technician
Breanna recently received her Associates of Science in Occupational Therapy and is working towards becoming a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She recently discovered she had a passion for working with kids when interning at a special needs school this year. In her free time, she loves hiking, kayaking, and cuddling with her 20 pound cat, Alfie
She/Her/Hers
Cathy Allore- Behavior Technician
Breanna Greiner - Behavior Technician
Caitlin Watson- Behavior Technician
Cathy worked in the public school system 25 years with autistic kiddos. She also provided ABA therapy for 6 years. She became a docent (tour guide) at the Grand Rapids Art Museum 8 years ago. Her heart is in Maryland with her 3 grandchildren which she tries to visit often. She enjoys machine sewing quilts, yoga and playing with her 80 pound chocolate lab mix on Lake Michigan. She lives with her husband in Rockford.
She/Her/Hers
Caitlin Watson- Behavior Technician
Breanna Greiner - Behavior Technician
Caitlin Watson- Behavior Technician
After attending Western Michigan University for a bachelors degree in behavioral science, Caitlin took time off school due to the pandemic in 2020. They began working at a residential autism treatment and research center where they worked mostly with adolescents, focusing on gaining independence and behavior reduction. Caitlin also worked giving outpatient ABA services to younger children focusing on skill building and school preparation. In the next few years, Caitlin wishes to finish their undergraduate degree in Behavioral Science and move on to get their masters in a program focusing on the combination of applied behavioral analysis and speech pathology. Eventually, they hope to dual practice as a BCBA and a SLP. In their free time Caitlin enjoys caring for their many, many pets and houseplants as well as spending time outdoors.
They/Them/Theirs
Dan Hoffmann- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens- Behavior Technician
Daniel Christopher Hoffmann is logical, absurdist, loquacious, and boring.
A silly man who enjoys socializing with groups of people as much as he loves being alone.
When he's not working with clients; he can be found reading, listening to informational podcasts, grading trading cards, gaming, or writing.
He/They
Laney Stephens- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens recently graduated with her bachelor's in psychology with a minor in philosophy. Her hobbies are playing video games, reading, and writing. She also enjoys watching Disney movies with her cat.
She/Her/Hers
Max Blackstock- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens- Behavior Technician
Max Blackstock- Behavior Technician
Max just recently graduated from Ferris with a BA in science, Focusing on forensic psychology after finding their passion for psychology in high school. They're from the east side of the state, grew up both in a family very involved in healthcare but also as a "medical disaster" themselves so they have a lot of personal experience in the medical field. They've worked with both advocating and providing both DSP and CLS services to people with disabilities for the last 6 years. In their free time, they're involved with music, writing, the arts, and their dog Reid, named, yes, after Spencer Reid from Criminal minds. They're an avid fanboy to too many things to list and they're always down for both a night out or a solid weekend spent on the couch.
Pronouns - they/them
Alec Crawford- Behavior Technician
Alec Crawford- Behavior Technician
Max Blackstock- Behavior Technician
Alec Crawford is behavior technician who moved up here from LaBelle, Florida in March of 2023. Is his free time he enjoys playing video games, loves to go on nature walk and enjoys playing with their cat tofu.
He/Him/His
Hope Turner- Behavior Technician
Alec Crawford- Behavior Technician
Hope Turner- Behavior Technician
Hope Turner is a behavior technician with our company, she considers herself an animal and nature enthusiast. She loves to hike and go explore nature when ever she finds free time. You can find her recharging by the water reading a good book. she also loves spending time with her cat loons and her two dogs tucker and tuna.
She/Her/Hers
Lexi Millering - Behavior Technician
Lexi Millering - Behavior Technician
Lexi Millering - Behavior Technician
Lexi is a new Behavioral Technician. She got her Bachelors in Social Work in 2020 from Grand Valley State University. Her background is in child welfare. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work at Grand Valley State University. In her free time she likes to exercise and spend time outside.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Kenzie Trammell- Behavior Technician
Lexi Millering - Behavior Technician
Lexi Millering - Behavior Technician
Kenzie is a Behavioral Technician with us. She is working towards her Bachelors Degree of Science from Grand Valley State University. She has a passion for working with the youth! In her free time she enjoys photography, nature and spending time with her family.
Logan Mallery- Behavior Technician
Lexi Millering - Behavior Technician
Logan Mallery- Behavior Technician
Logan is a new behavior technician with us. They currently are a student at Grand Rapids Community College with plans to transfer to Grand Valley for nursing. They have a passion for learning and enjoy meeting new people. In their free time they like to play chess, go out with friends, watch movies, and go to concerts or music festivals.
He/They
Keeghan Ball - Behavior Technician
Kyleigh Fowler - Behavior Technician
Logan Mallery- Behavior Technician
Keeghan is a behavior technician with our company. He has a background in service industries and has an active interest in offering solutions to those that are having difficulties. He is a homebody more often than not, but enjoys spending time in the woods with a hammock, in any season.
Kyleigh Fowler - Behavior Technician
Kyleigh Fowler - Behavior Technician
Kyleigh Fowler - Behavior Technician
Kyleigh is an undergrad at Ferris State University getting her degree in
Psychology. She has previously worked as a behavior technician and thoroughly enjoyed her
experience working with the youth. Her past experiences have solidified her drive to continue on in the field. Her future plans are to receive her master’s degree in Social Work and eventually open up her own practice. In her free time she enjoys spending time with the people and animals she loves. Her dog’s name is Scully (named after Dana Scully from the tv show X-files) and she is her pride and joy. She also loves playing disc golf, going to concerts, and watching anything horror or true crime. She looks forward to meeting you and hopes we can learn and grow together!
She/Her/Hers
Kyra Lockwood - Behavior Technician
Kyleigh Fowler - Behavior Technician
Kyleigh Fowler - Behavior Technician
Kyra is a behavior technician with our company. She is currently finishing her last year of her behavioral neuroscience degree at Grand Valley State University. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family/friends, music, staying active, and the outdoors.
Heather Ruis - Behavior Technician
Jenna Murdock - Behavior Technician
Jenna Murdock - Behavior Technician
Heather lives in Holland with her special furry friends, a 15 year old cat Ube and a 6 year old golden lab Remi. They enjoy hiking and swimming and going to the dog park together. She is also a publisher and songwriter for artists in Nashville which allows her creative side to come out. She also enjoys reading the classics for brain fodder.
Jenna Murdock - Behavior Technician
Jenna Murdock - Behavior Technician
Jenna Murdock - Behavior Technician
Jenna will soon graduate from Grand Valley State University with a bachelors degree in Behavioral Neuroscience and plans to attend Grad school to become an Occupational Therapist. She enjoys working with kids and adults and has a passion for helping people. In her free time she loves to be active, travel, spend time with friends/family, and play with her Goldendoodle, Nova!
She/Her/Hers
Eleanor Ellis - Behavior Technician
Jenna Murdock - Behavior Technician
Eleanor Ellis - Behavior Technician
Eleanor is a behavior technician with our company. More info to come!
She/Her/Hers
Sara Gilbert - Behavior Technician
Sara Gilbert - Behavior Technician
Eleanor Ellis - Behavior Technician
Sara has worked with children and adults with autism for over 20 years in various settings including schools, camps, and group homes. She became a behavior technician in 2021. She lives in Wyoming with her husband and 4 cats. She enjoys hiking and gardening in her spare time.