Who We Are

Abilities Behavior Services is a not-for-profit organization that provides ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) programs to individuals across the lifespan. Abilities is a division of Trinity Services, Inc. and serves children with autism, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and seniors with memory problems. The team provides services in the home, community, clinic, or residential setting. Target behaviors include increasing appropriate behaviors like following routines, social and activity engagement, and decreasing challenging behaviors.

Abilities employs Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Both credentials are obtained and maintained by the Behavior Analysts Certification Board. BCBAs are graduate-level professionals who provide Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) services. BCBAs supervise RBTs and others who implement behavior-analytic interventions. Any BCBAs that supervises completes additional training and continuing education requirements. BCBAs recertify every 2-3 years, acquire continuing education, and comply with all ethical requirements. BCBAs who have a doctoral level degree can acquire an additional designation of BCBA-D.

RBTs are paraprofessionals who practice under close, ongoing supervision of a BCBA or BCBA-D. The RBT is primarily responsible for the direct implementation of ABA services. The RBT does not design intervention or assessment plans; the BCBA designs those plans and the RBT implements the plans. RBTs that work at Abilities are 18+ years of age, have a bachelors degree or higher, complete 40 hours of training, complete a background check, pass the RBT Competency Assessment, and pass the RBT examination. RBTs have ongoing certification requirements, including ongoing supervision, annual recertifications, and complying with the ethics code.

Our Mission

Abilities Behavior Services is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit agency that provides behavior support services to individuals across the lifespan.

Our Vision

For all individuals exhibiting challenging behaviors to be provided behavior supports necessary to keep them safe, independent, and happy - no matter their diagnosis or age.

Meet Our BCBAs

Roma Kline, BCBA, LPC

Roma has her master's degree in professional and school counseling and her post masters education in Applied Behavior Analysis from SIUC. She has been working with children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities for 15 years - the past years with Abilities.

Lauren Behme, BCBA

Lauren lives in Carlinville, IL. She graduated from Saint Louis University in May 2015 with a masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has had the pleasure of working at Abilities since February of 2017, and has almost 14 years experience working with children, adults, and families.

Scott Wiggins, BCBA

Scott received his master's degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from SIUC. He started working for Trinity Services, Inc. in 2014 and for Abilities in 2015. Scott leads a group for adolescents that targets social skills and emotional development. Scott enjoys spending time with his family, watching basketball, and playing soccer or ice hockey.

Amanda Ripley, BCBA

Since 2005, Amanda has worked with individuals with challenging behaviors across the age span. Amanda is from Chicago, graduated with her master’s degree from SIUC, and worked in a several states providing ABA services, including Michigan, Colorado, and Illinois. Amanda likes to run and play outside with her kids and husband.

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Mandy Sullivan, BCBA

Mandy is from Chester, IL and has her master's degree in behavior analysis and therapy from SIUC. She has been a BCBA since 2010 and has experience working in intellectual disabilities and dual diagnoses. Mandy provides parent training and has worked in the mental health, assessing after hours crises. In her free time, Mandy enjoys spending time with family, reading, and being outside.

Dr. Maranda Trahan, PhD, BCBA-D

Dr. Trahan is an expert in the assessment and management of challenging dementia symptoms, like aggression, noncompliance, and verbal disruptions. She was born in Louisiana, attended SIUC for graduate school, and completed a postdoc at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD before returning back to Illinois. Dr. Trahan likes to be outside, spending time with her family and animals.

Megan Daniels

BCBA

Megan graduated from Ball State University in December 2019 with a Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has been working with Trinity/Abilities since September 2016 , and has experience working with a wide range of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum, and other developmental disorders. In Megan's free time she enjoys spending time with her family, and being outside.