About Us
Compassionate. Evidence-Based. Family-Founded.
ABA Today & Gateway4ABA are two closely connected organizations built on one shared belief: every child deserves a path toward their fullest potential — and every family deserves support they can trust.
​
We are a family-founded ABA practice led by people who have lived the autism journey personally. Our foundation is built on compassion, clinical excellence, and the understanding that children thrive when therapy feels consistent, joyful, and rooted in strong relationships.
​
For more than a decade, our teams have provided high-quality ABA therapy, school collaboration, and family support throughout Northern Virginia. Today, with our newly renovated Reston Center and our innovative school-day partnership with ETC Phoenix School, we are proud to offer families an integrated approach that blends therapy, learning, and real-world growth.
​
Children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and believed in,
and families deserve a partner who understands their journey.
Our Story
& Some 2025 Updates
We've Walked This Path, Too
Today, I am a businesswoman and the mother of four young men, two of
whom were diagnosed with moderate to severe autism when they were
very young. My husband and I went through various stages of denial before
the symptoms of one of our twins became irrefutable. We were fortunate
that this moment came when they were very young, and we got him
treatment early. When his younger brother’s development regressed, we
got him help as well.
Our journey through treatment with ABA therapy with our two sons was
difficult, but fortunately for our family it ended with optimal outcomes when
our youngest graduated from first grade. Unfortunately, insurance did not
cover ABA therapy in the 2000’s and early 2010’s, preferring to deny
coverage for medically necessary treatment by labelling it as
“experimental," despite the literature describing its efficacy dating from
1973, and being replicated by numerous studies since. We paid out of
pocket, liquidating insurance policies, emptying college funds, and raiding
our retirement account. Too late for us, insurance companies at long last
could no longer deny the obvious and began to cover this life-changing
therapy.
I left a fulfilling career as a Special agent in Federal Law enforcement to
pursue a passion closer to my heart. I attended Simmons College and
received a Master of Science in Behavior Analysis. I started a company
providing ABA services for young children with autism. Our staff is skilled,
passionate and dedicated, with years of experience in Special Education
classrooms.
We have seen first-hand the positive effects that this life-altering program
can yield. We realize that no two children are alike and that each child is
impacted in his own, unique way and has his own, unique issues. We
realize that ABA is not a magic bullet and that some children respond better
to it than others. While not all children will experience the optimal outcome
that ours did, the scientific literature indicates that the overwhelming
majority of children on the spectrum will receive a substantial benefit from
intensive behavioral therapy. I am determined to help families and children
to reach their fullest potential in life. That may simply be the words, Mommy
and Daddy, that those of us with children with autism so cherish.
​
As of 2025, one of those two sons has graduated from college with a major in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. He is enjoying working for an NFL Team out on the West Coast. My other son is on his way to finishing college with a major in History and a minor in Chinese.
ABA therapy has been undoubtedly life-changing for our family, and through ABA Today, my hope is that every child is given the opportunity to dream, believe, and achieve in their own way.
Our Mission
To empower children and families through compassionate, evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis that is delivered with integrity, individualized care, and genuine partnership.
​
We strive to create environments where children can:
-
explore,
-
communicate,
-
learn,
-
build confidence, and
-
experience joy in their own unique way.​
​
Whether a child is learning foundational communication skills, developing social confidence, or blending therapy with academics through our ETC Phoenix partnership, our mission remains the same: help every child dream, believe, and achieve.
We don't just list values. We live them.
Compassion & Respect
Every family’s journey is unique. We meet children and caregivers where they are, without judgment.
Integrity & Transparency
Clear communication and honest expectations create trust: the foundation of good therapy.
Science-Backed
Practices
We follow ethical, evidence-based ABA rooted in clinical rigor, consistency, and best practice.
Learning in
Every Setting
From therapy rooms to classrooms to the community, we focus on functional, real-world growth.
Family
Partnership
Parents and caregivers aren’t observers, they’re collaborators. Together, we build meaningful, lasting progress.
Joyful &
Connected Learning
Progress is strongest when children feel happy, safe, and supported by people who care.
The ABA Today™ Difference
We are a deeply mission-driven, relationship-centered, and clinically grounded organization that believes in doing ABA right:
ethically, warmly, and thoughtfully.​
What sets us apart:
​
Family-Founded Leadership
Built by someone who has lived this journey — and shaped by real-world parent perspective.
​
Center-Based Excellence
Our 10,000 sq ft Reston Center is designed for consistency, joy, and structured learning — the kind that’s hard to replicate in home environments.
​
Integrated Education Pathways
Through our partnership with ETC Phoenix School, children receive ABA therapy and individualized academic instruction — without having to choose between the two.
​
Highly Trained, Stable Staff
Our BCBAs, RBTs, and case managers receive strong mentorship and ongoing professional development, resulting in low turnover and strong child-staff relationships.
​​
Warm, Personal Communication
Families stay informed, connected, and part of the decision-making process.
​
Community & Family Support
Parent workshops, social groups, and community-based outings help children generalize skills and help families grow together.
​​​​​​
​​​​
We believe that every child deserves a team that sees their potential, and helps them reach it.
​
Gateway4ABA is our affiliated organization, originally built to provide ABA services to the children of ABA Today staff members. As families grew and needs expanded, Gateway evolved into a trusted partner organization serving a wider community.
​
Today, ABA Today and Gateway4ABA share:
-
clinical leadership,
-
training pathways,
-
our Reston Center,
-
programming support,
-
and a unified mission.
​
Together, we reach more families and offer more comprehensive care than either organization would alone.
Our Partner: Gateway4ABA
Policies & Commitments
Part of being a trustworthy clinical provider is being transparent about how we protect families.
HIPAA Compliance
We comply fully with HIPAA standards to protect all personal, medical, and educational information. All communication, data collection, and documentation follow strict privacy protocols.
​
Privacy Policy
We safeguard all information shared with us — whether through our website, intake process, or clinical sessions — and never release data without explicit consent.
​
Nondiscrimination Policy
ABA Today and Gateway4ABA do not discriminate based on:
-
race
-
ethnicity
-
national origin
-
religion
-
age
-
disability
-
gender identity
-
sexual orientation
-
socioeconomic status
All families are welcome here.
​
Ethical Guidelines
All clinical staff follow the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Guidelines for Responsible Conduct, ensuring safe, ethical, and professional care.