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 / Clinical Director/Owner
Aaron (Son Shin) Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Assistant Clinical Director
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Clinical Director/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
Aaron (Son Shin) Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Assistant Clinical Director
Thomas Hales M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst / Clinical Director/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 (Son Shin) Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Assistant Clinical Director
Aaron (Son Shin) Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Assistant Clinical Director
Aaron (Son Shin) Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Assistant Clinical Director
Aaron has worked as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst for the last 4 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 Buddhist Priest at the Grand Rapids Buddhist Temple, and a loving co parent with their spouse Jean to their two cat children Donut and Mu.
They/Them/Theirs
River Emert - M.S. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
River Emert - M.S. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Aaron (Son Shin) Garcia M.Ed. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst/Assistant Clinical Director
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 then went on to pass her board exam on her first try and received her BCBA certification June of 2024. She enjoys watching sports and playing DND in her spare time.
They/She
Pru Warren - Office Assistant/Scheduler
River Emert - M.S. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
Prudence "Pru" Warren, born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has always been a passionate advocate for children and individuals navigating the mental health system. With many years of experience working as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and group home manager, she has gained a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families in need of support. As a mother of two grown children, including one on the autism spectrum who received ABA treatment himself, Pru has firsthand experience in navigating services and advocating for those who need a voice. It’s something she believes very strongly about.
Currently, she is just six classes away from completing her Bachelor's in Sociology and is instead preparing to pivot direction and begin her next academic journey in Social Work. Pru plans to pursue her master's degree and become a counselor, focusing on empowering and supporting children, whom she believes are the "best humans in the world."
Pru is also the host of a podcast that dives deep into the world of professional wrestling, particularly with Michigan & Indiana independent wrestlers. She believes in the power of community and communication, whether it's in the ring or in the realm of mental health advocacy. Pru is also an accomplished writer and photographer.
She/Her
Tammy Newberg - Medical Billing Specialist
River Emert - M.S. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
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.
Sue Livingston - Assistant Medical Billing Specialist
Sue Livingston - Assistant Medical Billing Specialist
Sue Livingston - Assistant Medical Billing Specialist
Sue joins our team as an Assistant Medical Billing Specialist after retiring from a lengthy career as an Executive Assistant at Amway Corporation. She returned to school as an adult learner and earned her BBA from Davenport University in 2014, graduating with highest honors. In her free time, Sue enjoys caring for her perennial flower garden, playing golf, bowling or downhill skiing, attending concerts, traveling, and most of all, spending time with her 4 grandchildren!
She/Her
Paige Levitte - Human Resources Assistant & RBT
Sue Livingston - Assistant Medical Billing Specialist
Sue Livingston - Assistant Medical Billing Specialist
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, antiquing and spending time with her cat Marjorie
She/Her/Hers
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Floating Technician & RBT
Heather Kelley - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Floating 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
Addy Edgington- Floating Technician & RBT
Heather Kelley - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Alaysia Brewer - Lead Floating 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
Heather Kelley - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Heather Kelley - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Heather Kelley - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
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.
Cathy Allore- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Heather Kelley - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
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
Dan Hoffmann- Behavior Technician
Laney Stephens- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Laney Stephens- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
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- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Laney Stephens- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Laney Stephens- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
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
Carolyn Harrington - Behavior Technician
Khynin McLeish - 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 -He/they
Khynin McLeish - Behavior Technician
Carolyn Harrington - Behavior Technician
Khynin McLeish - Behavior Technician
Khynin has had a passion for working with children for all her life, volunteering at a local daycare in her home state of Indiana for most of her late childhood to middle teen years, and is excited to get back into the swing of things! In her free time, she enjoys DND, Magic the Gathering, and petting her fluffy little cotton ball of a cat, Takara.
She/Her/Hers
Carolyn Harrington - Behavior Technician
Carolyn Harrington - Behavior Technician
Carolyn Harrington - Behavior Technician
Carolyn is a new behavior technician! More info to come!
Jenna Murdock - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jenna Murdock - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jenna Murdock - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jenna graduated 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
Sara Gilbert - Behavior Technician
Jenna Murdock - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jenna Murdock - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
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.
Kayla Bachman - Behavior Technician
Jenna Murdock - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Morgan Latchaw - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Kayla is a behavior technician with us. She is currently a student at Grand Valley State University pursuing a degree in radiation therapy. She is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. One of her many passions includes working with children and fitness! During her free time, she loves to read, work out, spend time with friends and family, and crochet!
She/Her/Hers
Morgan Latchaw - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Morgan Latchaw - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Morgan Latchaw - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Morgan recently got her RBT certification! Some of her passions include traveling, fitness, and of course working with children! She hopes to go back to school to get her masters in child psychology and become a BCBA.
Carlee Larsen - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Morgan Latchaw - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Carlee Larsen - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
After graduating high school in 2022 Carlee knew she immediately wanted to go straight into the childcare industry! She has worked with children ever since she could remember, and it’s always been her passion! Watching them develop and learn has always been the most rewarding part of working with children. Her time outside of work is taken by hanging out with friends, family, and her cat! She also loves thrifting, reading and all things music!
She/Her/Hers
Day Jennings - Behavior Technician
Morgan Latchaw - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Carlee Larsen - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Hi friends, my names Dayona but all my peeps call me DAY. What can I say about myself besides I'm a conundrum.😂 I like everything and everyone but at the same time I don't like anything or no one. Lol
I love spending time with my beautiful fiancee and two wild kids and my huge family.
My favorite color is the SUNSET, I love long walks in the rain and hiking. I love all sports and I'm very competitive and will turn drinking water Into a competition.😂
I'm very multifaceted, I love to sing. I used to sing professionally for the American jazz and classical choir and background for some famous people. I love to dance, I'm trained in contemporary/ballet but found a new love for hip-hop. I play guitar and write poetry in my down time, well after I'm done writing some of my novel. I'm also a artist, and sell authentic and original portraits to high end clients.
I'm also obsessed with reading, and will read books, recipes and cereal boxes. I'm a cool geek/nerd at heart. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but over all I'm just a conundrum.
She/Her/Hers
Alexandria Sadler- Behavior Technician
Alexandria Sadler- Behavior Technician
Alexandria Sadler- Behavior Technician
Alexandria started working in the autism field in 2021 when the pandemic was still present. She fell in love with the job and aim to further her education in the psychology or ABA field. Before that, she volunteered and worked within her local school district at the elementary schools. When not working, she spends time with her German Shepard, plays video games, or embraces creativity with paint/color pencils or whatever media she feels. Her ultimate goal is to make a difference in others and the world and she has found a way to do that in the behavior field.
She/Her/Hers
Grace Jefferson- Behavior Technician
Alexandria Sadler- Behavior Technician
Alexandria Sadler- Behavior Technician
Meet Grace! She loves watching children grow and helping them by creating a supportive and inclusive environment. In her free time, she plays around on the esthetics side and does lash extensions. She also loves to cuddle her bulldog, Chuck Roy.
She/Her/Hers
Ruby Taylor - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Ruby Taylor - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Ruby Taylor - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Ruby is currently a student at GRCC working towards a degree in Business Administration. I have always had a passion for teaching and I'm so excited to be a part of this team. In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, and thrifting with my friends and loved ones.
Rae Elliott - Behavior Technician
Ruby Taylor - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Ruby Taylor - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Alannah Rae Elliott has been working with people with Autism for 27 years, which also happens to be how old they are. Rae has Autism. Rae has been working with people with disabilities since their first job at GRCC. At home, they like to spend time outside with their partner, Lumi.
Kevin Newberg - Behavior Technician
Ruby Taylor - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Kevin Newberg - Behavior Technician
My name is Kevin Gerritt Newberg. I just graduated from Newaygo High School in May of 2024 and I will be attending Ferris State University in the fall of 2024 studying Radiography and Education. I enjoy hiking, shopping, live music events, playing video games, swimming, and building aquarium ecosystems.
He/Him/His
Hailey Rooker - Behavior Technician
Rachel Graham - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Kevin Newberg - Behavior Technician
Hailey just recently graduated from GVSU with their bachelors in psychology and minors in applied statistics and writing. In their free time Hailey enjoys playing saxophone, sewing, writing, and spending time with friends and family.
They/Them
Rachel Graham - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Rachel Graham - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Rachel Graham - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Bio and picture to come!
New Employee
Rachel Graham - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Rachel Graham - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
This could be you! If you're interested in joining our team, select the "Join Our Team" tab and send us an email with your resume!