Relationship-Centered Behavioral
Support

Strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming, trauma- informed ABA, built on trust and connection

Supporting the Whole Family

Our programs are designed to support both children and their caregivers. Children build social connection, emotional regulation, and everyday life skills through play, art, and shared experiences in supportive, low-pressure environments.

Caregivers receive guidance to better understand their child’s behavior, communication, and patterns of regulation. Together, we identify what’s driving challenges and develop practical, responsive strategies that can be used in everyday moments.

This collaborative approach helps families feel more confident, connected, and supported at home.

All services are grounded in evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Mission

We provide relationship centered, evidence based support for neurodivergent children and their caregivers. Through affirming, play based and practical strategies, we help families build skills, strengthen connection, and feel more confident navigating daily life together.

Vision

We envision a community where neurodivergent children are understood and supported, and where caregivers feel informed, regulated, and empowered with tools that truly fit their child and their family.

Our Neurodiversity-Affirming Approach Emphasizes:

• Embracing every individual as a whole, capable, and valued member of their community

• Shifting from “fixing” behaviors to understanding the unique ways each person experiences and engages with the world

• Prioritizing goals that are personally meaningful and support autonomy, confidence, and connection

• Focusing on reducing stress and barriers so learning and growth can occur through safety and co-regulation

About Ashley

I'm a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Nature Based Educator, and the founder of Mindful Behavior Connections.

Before becoming a BCBA, I spent years working in classrooms, homes, and community settings as both a preschool teacher and behavior therapist. I found tremendous purpose in supporting children's growth and development, but I also noticed that progress often stalled when expectations felt overwhelming or when connection took a back seat to understanding.

Over the past decade, I have supported children and families across homes, schools, clinics, and community environments. Throughout that journey, I began recognizing that meaningful support requires more than focusing on behavior alone. Many children were navigating anxiety, sensory differences, communication challenges, nervous system dysregulation, and experiences that shaped how they engaged with the world around them. I also met caregivers who felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure how to support their child while preserving connection, family well being, and their own sense of confidence.

These experiences led me to explore a broader understanding of learning, behavior, and development. I came to recognize that meaningful growth is deeply connected to relationships, emotional safety, autonomy, and regulation. I also became increasingly interested in helping children and caregivers build psychological flexibility: the ability to navigate challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, make room for difficult thoughts and feelings, and move toward what matters most.

Today, my work blends evidence based behavioral science with neurodiversity affirming, relationship centered, and nature based approaches that support meaningful participation, skill development, and quality of life. Drawing from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), neuroscience, and child development, I help families identify values driven goals while developing practical skills that support long term success.

My approach is naturalistic, individualized, and grounded in collaboration. I prioritize assent, connection, and trust while helping children build communication, flexibility, independence, emotional regulation, self advocacy, and coping skills across home, school, and community settings. Rather than focusing solely on reducing challenging behaviors, I strive to help children develop the skills, confidence, and flexibility needed to participate more fully in the activities, relationships, and experiences that are meaningful to them.

As a Nature Based Educator, I am especially passionate about incorporating art, play, and nature into learning opportunities. Whether exploring a local park, creating with natural materials, tending a garden, engaging in imaginative play, or participating in community experiences, these environments provide rich opportunities for communication, problem solving, social connection, self advocacy, and self regulation. By embedding learning within meaningful activities, children can develop skills that naturally generalize across settings and relationships while fostering curiosity, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Education, Professional Interests & Training

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2015

• Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, University of South Florida (USF)

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with concentrations in Speech Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis, Florida International University (FIU)

• Nature Based Teacher Level 1, Association for Nature Based Education (ANBE)

• PDA North America (PDANA) Level 2 Training

• Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Provider

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Natural Environment Teaching (NET)

• Assent based, child led, and play based practices

• Neurodiversity affirming, trauma informed, and nervous system informed approaches