618.566.0313
Providing Behavior Support Services Across The Lifespan
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
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 12 years - the past 5 years at Abilities.
BCBA
Lauren lives in Carlinville, IL. She graduated from Saint Louis University in May 2015 with a master's 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.
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 ice hockey or soccer.
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PHD, BCBA-D
Dr. Trahan is an expert in the assessment and management of challenging dementia symptoms - like aggression, non-compliance, and verbal disruptions. She was born in Louisiana, attended SIUC for graduate school, and completed a post-doc at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Trahan likes to be outside, spending time with her family and animals.
LEXIE THOMPSON
BCBA
Lexie is from Collinsville, IL. She received her master’s degree in behavior analysis and therapy from SIUC in 2019. Lexie has experience working with children with autism, specializing in functional communication training, social skills, and discrete trial training. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, practicing yoga, and playing with her two dogs.
BCBA
Since 2005, Amanda has worked with individuals with challenging behaviors across the life span. Amanda is from Chicago and graduated with her master's degree from SIUC. She worked in Michigan, Colorado, and Illinois providing ABA services. Amanda likes to run and play outside with her kids and husband.
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 works in mental health, assessing crises. In her free time, Mandy enjoys family time, reading, and being outside.
BCBA
Kathy is from Anna, IL. She started working with individuals with intellectual disabilities in the early 1990s as a direct care staff. After receiving a bachelor's degree in social sork, she worked as a QIDP. She received a master's degree in criminal justice administration in 2001, and then completed the Behavior Analysis and Therapy certification program at SIUC in 2010. She has worked as a BCBA for the past 8 years. Kathy enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and pet cat named Tigress.
MEGAN DANIELS
BCBA
Megan graduated from Ball State University in December of 2019 with a Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has been with Trinity/Abilities since September of 2016, and has experience working with a wide range of individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum, and other developmental disorders. Megan enjoys spending her free time with her family, or being outside.
Samantha Sandy-Sinclair
BCBA
Samantha graduated from Ball State University in May of 2021 with a Masters Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has been working with Trinity/Abilities since August 2018. In Samantha's free time she enjoys DIY projects and horseback riding.
Jasmine Howell
BCBA
Jasmine is from Springfield, IL and received her undergraduate degree in Speech Language-Pathology & Audiology in 2016 from SIUE. She has a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from SIUC in 2019. She has worked with children and adolescents with autism and developmental disabilities, specializing in functional communication training, social skills, discrete trial training, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy training. During her free time, she enjoys working out, being active outside, and going out to eat and hanging with her boyfriend and friends.
Meet Our Registered Behavior Technicians
Making A Difference Is What We Do
As a team, we value lots of things. But making a difference is number one.