In our latest Customer Spotlight interview, we spoke with Ashley Whittington-Barnish and Stephanie Wilson from Stride Autism Centers about their innovative approach to ABA therapy and how they’ve incorporated Safety-Care into their programs.
Meeting Children Where They Are
Stride Autism Centers provides center-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy focused specifically on children ages 2-6. Their full-day programming emphasizes school readiness skills while providing individualized support.
“We focus on services for children two to six years old and focus on those school readiness skills,” explains Ashley Whittington-Barnish. “It is generally full day programming and meant to really help kids work individually on their goals as well as working side by side or nearby peers in small groups.”
Safety Care: A Foundation for Staff and Families
Central to Stride’s approach is their implementation of Safety-Care training for all staff members. “We use Safety-Care with all of our staff as soon as they join,” Stephanie Wilson explains. The focus is primarily on proactive strategies that help prevent challenging situations while ensuring staff are prepared to respond appropriately when necessary.
This emphasis on prevention and proper response techniques creates a more supportive environment for both children and staff. By equipping their team with these skills, Stride ensures that children receive consistent, respectful care that prioritizes their dignity and safety.
Supporting Families on the Wait List
Understanding that families often face wait times for services, Stride has developed a comprehensive three-tiered approach to support families during this period:
- Resource Packet: All families receive a welcome packet containing infographics, YouTube video links, and practical tips based on behavior analysis principles. These resources offer guidance on positive reinforcement, managing transitions, and decreasing opportunities for challenging behaviors.
- Welcome Webinar: Families are invited to attend an online “Welcome to Stride” webinar led by clinicians. These sessions provide a virtual tour of the centers and explain what a typical day at Stride looks like, giving families a clearer picture of what to expect. When possible, families are encouraged to visit their local Stride center in person, allowing them to see the environment firsthand and ask questions.
- Safety-Care for Families: As needed and through individualized assessment, families are invited to participate in Safety-Care for Families training to access strategies for preventing and de-escalating challenging behaviors.
This multi-layered approach ensures that families begin receiving support and education even before their child’s formal services begin.
Growing to Meet the Need
Stride Autism Centers continues to expand their presence across the Midwest, with locations in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Their commitment to early intervention and family support is making a significant difference in the lives of children with autism and their families throughout the region.
By combining evidence-based ABA therapy with comprehensive staff training and family resources, Stride Autism Centers demonstrates how specialized care can be delivered with compassion, respect, and effectiveness.
About Stride Autism Centers
Stride Autism Centers provides center-based ABA services across the Midwest for children aged 2-6 years. Their full-day ABA program consists of 1:1 therapy and naturalistic group activities to provide children with opportunities to socialize with their peers. Stride believes that every child diagnosed with autism deserves access to evidence-based early intervention therapy which is why they focus on underserved communities. Stride is fully accredited by ACQ in Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska and has been recognized as a Top Workplace in 2024 and 2025 with special honors for their Professional Development and Employee Wellbeing programs.
Dr. Ashley Whittington-Barnish, PhD, LCP, BCBA-D, NCSP
Dr. Ashley Whittington-Barnish is Chief Clinical Systems Officer for Stride Autism Centers. Ashley has worked at Stride since the beginning and loves watching clients make meaningful progress. She is also an Associate Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and previously served as University Chair of the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Department and Department Chair of ABA at TCSPP’s Chicago campus. In addition to teaching numerous undergraduate and graduate classes in ABA and psychology, her research interests include staff training, caregiver training, and using technology to enhance learning opportunities.
Stephanie Wilson, BCBA
Stephanie is the Clinic Director at the Orland Park location and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She attended National Louis University and earned a Master’s of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. Throughout her career, Stephanie has provided services to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses across the lifespan (ages 3-70). She has worked in clinics, in-home, and has done consulting work in schools, day programs, and group homes. Stephanie is passionate about promoting independence and goes into each opportunity with a caring, optimistic, and encouraging attitude.