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
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
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
Garrett Bock - M.A. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
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Garrett earned his BCBA in 2025, following working in the ABA field for 7 years. After receiving his undergraduate degree in ABA at Western Michigan University, he moved to northern michigan to work as an RBT before finding his passion and pursuing the next stage in his academic journey. Heavily influenced by the work of Dr. George Hanley, Garrett prefers to take a client-lead approach to ABA, with a focus on creating a strong foundation of trust between client and therapist. When not in the office, Garrett is an outdoor sports enthusiast and can usually be found biking, hiking, or floundering about on a paddle board, usually trying to look too-cool-for-school.
He/Him
Paige Johnson- M.A. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Paige has been in the field for 5 years. Her bachelor's is from WMU in biomedical sciences and master's is from ASU in special education with a concentration in ABA. Her hobbies include baking, golfing, reading, traveling, and exploring new restaurants/shops in GR!
she/her
Grant Gibson- M.S. LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Grant has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for the past seven years, beginning as a Technician before advancing to a Qualified Behavioral Health Provider (QBHP). He earned his Master’s in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Capella University in 2022. In his free time, he enjoys exploring creative expression through various mediums, listening to philosophy podcasts, gym, and diving into fantasy football stats analysis.
He/Him
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 earned her BBA from Davenport University in 2014, graduating with highest honors. Following her retirement from Amway Corporation after a lengthy career as an Executive Assistant, she wanted to try something completely new! She joined the ABSi team as an Assistant Medical Billing Specialist and has enjoyed her time learning the role. In her free time, Sue enjoys gardening, traveling, music, crafting, a variety of individual sports, and spending as much time as possible with her 4 grandkids!
She/Her
Alaysia Brewer - Office Manager RBT
Alexandria Sadler- 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 she loves to be creative! Painting, drawing, writing, and dancing are some of her favorite past times.
Pronouns: She/They
Alexandria Sadler- Floating Technician & RBT
Alexandria Sadler- Floating Technician & RBT
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
Morgan Latchaw- Human Resources & RBT
Heather Kelley - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Morgan is an RBT as well as Human Resources. She has been in the field of ABA for 3 years and and RBT for 2 of those! Some of her passions include traveling, reading, spending time with her 2 younger sisters and of course working with children! She is currently back in school working towards becoming a BCBA!
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.
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 -He/they
Kaedyn Rice - Registered Behavior Technician
Kaedyn has been working in the ABA field since the beginning of 2024, and is currently pursuing her RBT certification. In her spare time, she loves to hang out with her friends, cook and bake, and play with her dogs!
She/Her
Jennifer Chambers - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Sophia Mihlethaler - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jennifer Chambers - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jennifer lives in Lowell with her husband (whom she's been married to for 26years), her two
sons(ages 20 and 18) and their fur baby Rome who's 11. She has an Associate’s in
Applied Arts and Sciences in Occupational Therapy Assisting. She is currently working
on her recertification. She has 6 hours left to go! She has a certificate in Autism for
Paraprofessionals. She has worked in Special Education for 11 years, in local
programming and center based programming. She is very passionate about helping the
special needs community live their best life possible and to help the non-verbal find their
voice by using both low-tech and high tech AAC. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking,
camping, cooking/baking, and spending time with her family.
She/Her
Jackson Irwin - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Sophia Mihlethaler - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jennifer Chambers - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Jackson Irwin has recently graduated with a degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University. He has lived in Rockford for his whole life and has past experience working kids as a swim coach. Some of his hobbies include swimming, playing video games, and going on nature walks whenever Michigan weather allows it!
Sophia Mihlethaler - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Sophia Mihlethaler - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Sophia Mihlethaler - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Sophia was born and raised in Grand Rapids and currently lives here with her partner and tabby cat, Biscuit. In her free time, Sophia enjoys live music, finding a “hidden gem” thrift store, trying new food, and of course playing with Biscuit. Sophia has worked in geriatric care in the past, but is excited for her new journey working with kids in ABA! She plans to return to school to continue an education in a related field.
Ruby Taylor - Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Ruby is currently a student at GRCC working towards a degree in Business Administration. She has always had a passion for teaching and is so excited to be a part of this team. In her free time she enjoys camping, hiking, and thrifting with my friends and loved ones.
Grayce Galanek - Behavior Technician
Grayce has provided both DSP and CLS services to individuals with disabilities for the last 4 years and is currently working towards her RBT certification. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones. As well as her 2 cats Rigatoni and Gnocchi.
Samara Ruse - Registered Behavior Technician
Samara Ruse - Registered Behavior Technician
Samara is a student at Ferris State University, working towards earning her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, specializing in working with youth. She enjoy being in nature & spending time with her two bunnies Luna and Apollo.
Ely Irving - Behavior Technician
Samara Ruse - Registered Behavior Technician
Ely Irving was born and raised in Alpena, Michigan. They have worked as a Behavior Technician since February of 2026 and joined the ABSI Family in July. Their favorite food is Chicken Vindaloo and their favorite color is red. They hope to pursue their RBT certificate sometime in the future.
Kendra Kelly - Behavior Technician
Kendra began working in the behavioral health field in 2024. In 2025, she received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State with minors in Youth and Society and Women’s and Gender Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Social Work and is expected to graduate in May of 2027. Outside of work and school, Kendra enjoys all things creative! She loves singing, dancing, and crafting. You can also find her spending time with her friends, family, and dog, Poppy!
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