Our ABA approach is tailored to your unique child - it's not one size fits all.

There is no one right way of thinking, learning, or behaving. We believe that children’s differences are not deficits.

The autistic community advocates for a message of acceptance and neurodiversity, the idea that all kinds of brains are natural and valuable, rather than valuing the illusion of conformity.

Our treatment goals do not seek to mask autism; instead, we focus on functional skills such as communication and daily living skills.

Our ABA therapists focus on:

Skill Acquisition

We aim to teach new skills and behaviors to help them succeed in various areas of life. These skills include communication, social interaction, self-help skills, academic skills, and more.

Challenging Behavior Reduction

ABA therapy addresses challenging behaviors by identifying the reasons or functions behind them and developing strategies to help reduce those behaviors.

Data Collection and Analysis

A data-driven approach is a central aspect of ABA therapy, allowing therapists to objectively measure progress, identify patterns, and adjust interventions as needed.

Promoting Independence

ABA therapy emphasizes building independence and self-sufficiency in individuals.

Generalization

ABA therapy focuses on ensuring that learned skills and behaviors are generalized across various environments.

Who can ABA help?

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals, as it is a flexible and adaptable approach. While it is most commonly associated with helping autistic individuals, it can also be effective for children with various other developmental or behavioral challenges.

What is the focus of ABA?

The focus of ABA therapy is on promoting meaningful and lasting changes in behavior that enhance an individual’s overall quality of life. Goals may include improving communication skills, reducing self-injurious or aggressive behavior, or improving independence of daily living skills.

ABA interventions are individualized, tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of each person receiving therapy.

Furthermore, ethical considerations, respect for the individual, and collaboration with caregivers and other professionals are integral to the success and effectiveness of ABA therapy programs.

How often is ABA?

This varies for each child. We will make an individualized plan that fits your child’s needs as well as works with your family’s schedule.

Some schedules include three days a week for two or three hours, once a week for an hour, or five days a week for five hours a day.

Where does ABA occur?

ABA can be provided in school, daycare, home, clinic, or in the community.

Who provides ABA therapy?

ABA is provided in a team approach. The BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) will be the one who performs the initial ABA assessment. From there, a 6-month plan of care will be made. The BCBA will train any RBT’s working with the client on the plan of care. These registered behavior technicians will receive regular supervision from the lead BCBA during treatment. Parent’s will also be asked to participate in parent training led by a BCBA to ensure generalization and carryover of treatment goals. Family support and participation is vital in a child’s success.

How long is the initial appointment?

Typically an ABA assessment is an hour of direct face to face time with the child and the family. In the initial appointment, a standardized test will be completed, the child will be observed in natural settings, and the clinician will interview the caregivers. From there, a report will be written to address skills to be acquired.

ABA Therapy FAQs

From a Parent:

“Wonderful staff who are great at what they do.”

- Elaina T.

Meet Our ABA Team

Colleen, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA

Colleen Lama, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA is the owner of Lama Pediatric Therapy. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has over ten years of experience in providing pediatric speech and language therapy.

A graduate of Florida State University, Colleen is licensed by the State of Florida and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech–Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Colleen expanded her education and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2015.

She combines both her speech-language and applied behavioral analysis skills to provide quality therapy services. Colleen has a variety of experience working with the pediatric population in both home and clinic settings. She specializes in early intervention and feeding difficulties. Colleen takes pride in working with children and their families to provide exceptional therapy.

Amy, MA, BCBA

Amy, M.A., BCBA is the Clinic Coordinator at Lama Pediatric Therapy. She graduated from the University of West Florida with her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in August of 2020.

Amy also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida and spent eight years working as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA). Her background across both speech and behavior therapy gives her a unique perspective in supporting interdisciplinary care for children and families.

Amy has experience working in both clinical and public school settings with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, and speech and language disorders.

In her role as Clinic Coordinator, Amy oversees insurance authorizations, facility operations, and front office systems, helping ensure the clinic runs smoothly so therapists can focus on providing high-quality care to the children and families we serve.

Emilee, MS, BCBA

Emilee, M.S., BCBA is a Behavior Analyst and the Lead BCBA at Lama Pediatric Therapy. She also serves as our Student Coordinator, where she provides mentorship and training opportunities for future behavior analysts completing their fieldwork hours. Emilee graduated from Trinity College Dublin with her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in May of 2020.

Emilee began her journey in the field of ABA while serving in the Peace Corps in the Philippines in 2014. After discovering her passion for supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, she became a certified Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and worked in Early Intervention before pursuing her BCBA certification.

Emilee has experience working in both clinical and public school settings with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental and learning differences. She also has experience supporting young adults in work and in-home settings, helping individuals build functional life skills and increase independence.

In her role at Lama Pediatric Therapy, Emilee helps guide clinical programming while also supporting the development of future clinicians through BCBA mentorship, supervision, and hands-on training opportunities for student analysts.

Sarah, MA, BCBA

Sarah, M.A., BCBA, is a Behavior Analyst and Clinical Supervisor at Lama Pediatric Therapy. Sarah provides clinical oversight across the ABA program, including BCBA supervision, program development, and support for our therapy teams. She is passionate about creating thoughtful, evidence-based programs that help children build meaningful skills and make progress toward greater independence.

She also works closely with therapists and families to ensure collaboration, consistency, and strong clinical outcomes across services.

She graduated from University of South Florida with her Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in December of 2016. She also has undergraduate degrees in History and Psychology from the University of South Florida in 2014. Sarah started in the field of ABA to make individualized differences in families' lives. She has experience with children in the center and home settings; while also some experience in the public school setting.

Maria, MA, BCBA

Maria, M.A, BCBA is a bilingual Behavior Analyst at Lama Pediatric Therapy. She graduated from the University of South Florida with her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2024.

Maria started her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at Florida State University before transferring to the University of South Florida to study psychology. Maria has been in the ABA field since 2021. She began as an RBT, then became an assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA), then pursued her Master’s degree to become a BCBA.

Maria has a passion for helping all children reach their best potential and growth. Maria has experience with children as young as 2.5 to adults. Maria has worked in various settings including school, clinic, community, and home. Maria has worked with children with various disorders including ASD, ADHD, ODD, Bipolar, learning disabilities, and speech/language delays.

Nathalie, BCBA

Nathalie, M.S, BCBA is a bilingual Behavior Analyst at Lama Pediatric Therapy. She graduated from Capella University with her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2022.

Nathalie has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of South Florida. Nathalie has been in the ABA field since 2019. She began as an RBT, then pursued her Master’s degree to become a BCBA. Nathalie has experience with children as young as 2.5 to adults. She is also bilingual.

Nathalie has worked in a variety of settings including community, school, clinic and home.

Jecholiah, BCBA

Jecholiah, M.A., BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with Lama since June 2026. She graduated with her master’s degree from Ball State University in 2025. Jecholiah completed her Bachelor of science at the University of Tampa with a focus on child development and clinical psychology.

Jecholiah has experience working with children 2.5 years old into early adulthood. She loves to focus on teaching emotional regulation strategies, incorporating movement into learning, and enhancing communication skills. Jecholiah also enjoys providing services across many settings including the community, clinic, home, and school.

Outside of work, Jecholiah is an avid reader, enjoys running, and loves to spend time in the sun.

Emily, BCBA

Emily M.A., BCBA is passionate about helping children reach their goals, build confidence, and thrive. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and went on to complete her Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis Professional Practice at the Florida Institute of Technology.

Emily has experience providing ABA services in school, home, and clinic settings and has worked with children ranging in age from 2.5 to 13 years old. She is dedicated to creating individualized and supportive treatment experiences that are engaging and meaningful for each client. She also speaks English and Spanish.

Emily enjoys celebrating her clients’ progress and is committed to helping each child develop skills that promote greater independence and success in their everyday lives.