Allyson Bell has helped shape Heartspring’s Autism Services program as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and, more recently, as the ABA manager.

Allyson’s experience working with children with special needs started when she was 17. She taught private swimming lessons to children impacted by autism. During her undergraduate studies, she got a job working as an individual intensive supports provider (IISP) for in-home Applied Behavior Analysis programs. She says her whole life changed from that experience. She realized her true passion was Applied Behavioral Analysis, so she pursued her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.

When she graduated from the University of Kansas, she immediately started her master’s degree and took a job as a case manager for the State of Kansas. A few months later, she began working part-time at Heartspring until she transitioned into a full-time role as a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. In May 2014, she passed her examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has served in that capacity since then.

During her time at Heartspring, Allyson has written programs for children who are impacted by autism; implementing the strategies of behavior analysis to make meaningful differences in their lives. The programming focuses on improving communication skills, daily care tasks and decreasing inappropriate/aberrant behaviors. Allyson constantly rewrites the programs to keep up with her client’s progress through selected targets. She also supervises Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and monitors their implementation of the programming written for each individual consumer.