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ABI Education Center

Empowering progress with nurturing compassion grounded in evidence-based care!

At ABI Education Center, we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to you, your family, and the entire autism community. Step into a space where understanding, acceptance, and education converge.

Welcome to Autism and Behavioral Intervention (ABI),

Where kindness and progress take center stage in every aspect of our services. At ABI, we believe in the transformative power of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy delivered with compassion, empathy, and a commitment to meaningful progress.

Our mission is guided by the belief that every individual deserves personalized, evidence-based intervention that not only targets behavioral challenges but also fosters growth and development in a supportive environment. We understand that each person is unique, and our approach is tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of every client and family we serve.

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What sets ABI apart is our unwavering dedication to kindness

We prioritize creating a nurturing and understanding atmosphere where individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related developmental disabilities can thrive. We recognize that progress is not just about achieving milestones; it’s about celebrating each step forward, no matter how small.

As you navigate through our website, you’ll discover the heart behind our work and the expertise that drives our interventions. At ABI, we are more than just a therapy provider—we are partners on your journey toward growth and success. Join us in embracing kindness and progress as the cornerstones of exceptional ABA therapy. Welcome to Autism and Behavioral Intervention.

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CEO/Owner/Founder

Dr. Anika Hoyjberg

CEO

Anika is the founder and owner of Autism & Behavioral Intevention (ABI) in Draper, Utah. Anika has worked in public schools and in private sectors with children for over 20 years. Anika has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Autism, another Master’s degree in Human Exceptionality, an Ed.S in School Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis. Anika is a Doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) and also a Licensed School Psychologist.
Anika has a passion for helping individuals reach their highest potential. She started ABI in 2013 because she saw a need for high quality services for individuals with autism. Anika has been a single mom for 20 years and has one daughter who is the light of her life. Anika has presented at national and international conferences on a variety of topics. Her passion is teaching kindness. Anika has done research, including her dissertation, on the importance of implementing kindness into every single interaction and treatment approach. She believes that kindness is the method, not the reward. When kindness is a priority, everyone benefits.

Anika has also collaborated with many other professionals to create instruments that have lasting impact. As both a school psychologist and behavior analyst, Anika has worked extensively in administering and creating plans that have true meaningful outcomes.
Anika is the creator of the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment and Assessment Scale (MOTAS) which helps to promote independence and higher quality of life for those individuals on the autism spectrum.

Anika loves children and is constantly thinking of how to help each one feel successful and know they are loved and valued! Anika is her happiest when she sees children progressing and her staff fulfilled and happy as they come into work. Luckily she gets to see this EVERYDAY!!

Board Certified Behavior Analysts

Casey Barron

Clinical Director

Casey Barron has been working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2015 and has
been a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst since February of 2020. During her ABA career, she has
worked in clinical, home, and academic settings. Casey completed her undergraduate education
at the University of Utah in 2016, then earned her master’s degree from Arizona State
University in 2019. Since practicing as a BCBA, she has developed a special interest in
compassionate care practices and reducing challenging interfering behavior. Casey is certified in
Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill Based Treatment (SBT) for treating severe
problem behavior. She loves connecting with families and working together to create
meaningful changes in the lives of the kids she works with. When she isn’t working, Casey
enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Amy Costa

BCBA

Amy lives in Salt Lake City with her husband and their 2 boys. She is a BCBA who loves helping children and their families achieve meaningful outcomes. Amy also loves a good audiobook, nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

Holly Child

BCBA

Holly joined the ABI team in 2018, but she has been working in the field of ABA since 2010. She says the best thing about her job is connecting with her clients and really getting to know them and their families. Whether she's working on potty training with a 4 year old or getting to know a 17 year old for the first time, she loves the challenge of becoming someone they not only trust, but are excited to see. Holly values the relationships she builds with her clients' families and enjoys finding ways to support them through challenging behaviors as well as celebrating their many achievements!
Holly and her husband have a blended family of six. She savors the warm weather months when she can spend time outside in her yard and go on nearby hikes. She especially loves sharing fun moments with her kids and extended family and friends.

Jessie Rossdahl,

BCBA

Jessie received her Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification in February 2017 and joined the ABI team in June of 2023. She received her Bachelor of Special Education from Utah State University, and taught Special Education kindergarten for 5 years prior to getting her Masters of Special Education with Applied Behavior Analysis coursework. She has 17 years of Early Intervention experience working in clinical, school, and home settings. When she is not working, Jessie enjoys spending time with her two little children, adventuring to as many parks as possible.

Fadumo Nor

BCBA

Fadumo has been involved in the field of ABA since 2016 working as an early intervention behavior therapist. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology and received her master’s of education in behavior analysis from the University of Utah. She has been a BCBA since December of 2021. Best part of the job for Fadumo is getting to know all her client’s unique personalities and being part of their progress and growth. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, learning about health and wellness, drawing and reading.

Madison Haddock

BCBA

Madison has been working at ABI since 2020 shortly after completing her BA at Brigham Young University. Madison received her MA in applied behavior analysis through Arizona State University and has been a BCBA since 2022. Madison is motivated by the love she has for her clientele and the joy she experiences when they make strides in learning. Madison is trained in Skills Based Treatment, Food Tolerance, Sleep Training, the Balance Program, and the PEAK assessment. When off-the-clock Madison enjoys traveling, sewing, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Blake Inouye

BCBA

Blake Inouye was born and raised In Henderson, NV. Blake moved to Utah in 2017 where he attended BYU. Blake graduated from BYU in 2019 and upon graduation he began the Master's program In Applied Behavior Analysis at Utah Valley University. Shortly after Blake began his Master's program, he began his internship at Autism and Behavioral Intervention where he worked as a Behavior Analyst in Training (BAIT). During this period, Blake received training working with children from the ages of 2-15. In May 2022, Blake graduated with his Master's of Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Blake is a passionate and hard-working individual who enjoys working with children with mild-to-severe problem behaviors. Hobbies for Blake include spending time with family and friends, watching college baseball games, and golfing.

Adalee Buchanan

BCBA

Adalee Buchanan joined the ABI team in September of 2020. Adalee grew up in Salt Lake City Utah where she discovered her love for helping individuals gain independence and belonging through the adaptive sport community. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Utah State University and in August of 2022 graduated with her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Adalee has experience working with children ages 2-15 with mild-to-sever problem behaviors. In her leisure time Adalee enjoys skiing, mountain biking, traveling, spending time with family, and cooking.

Gentrey Erickson

BCBA

Gentrey grew up with a brother on the spectrum and always knew she wanted to work with individuals with special needs. Her brother received services from ABI and he still has great memories of the people he worked with which is what initially made Gentrey want to join the ABI team as an RBT in 2018. She has been with ABI ever since. Gentrey got a degree in Special Education from BYU then continued her education at UVU where she completed her masters degree in ABA becoming a BCBA in 2023. She loves helping kids access the world around them through communication, whether that is using PECS, a communication device, or vocal communication. She is passionate about working with families to help achieve the goals they have for their loved ones. Gentrey loves reading, watching live theater, and baking.

Luke Warnock

BCBA

Luke was born and raised in Utah, spending the majority of his childhood in Draper. He attended the University of Utah for his undergraduate studies where he graduated in 2022 with a double major in Psychology and Family, Community, & Human Development. Luke has been working the field of special education for almost five years, and ABA specifically for four. He started his career in applied behavior analysis at ABI as an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) in 2020. He started his online graduate program at Arizona State University in 2022 and graduated in 2023 with a Master’s Degree in Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis). Luke’s favorite part of the job is building relationships with the clients, as each kid is so uniquely special and brings great joy to his life. In his free time, Luke enjoys doing anything basketball related, thrift shopping, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with his two cats.

Meagan Softley

BCBA

Meagan became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in March 2024. She has 5 years of experience in the field prior to becoming a BCBA where she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician in home, school and clinic settings . Meagan has experience working with children 2-15 years of age. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University and a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Her passion for working in the field Behavior Analysis was sparked by her involvement with the Best Buddies program in high school. In her free time, Meagan enjoys traveling, going on e-bike rides, attending concerts, traveling and spending quality time with friends and family."

Katie Hamilton

BCBA

Katie has been part of the ABI team since September of 2020. As a BCaBA, Katie has experience working with children aged 1-13 with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Katie celebrates all the little successes on the way towards bigger achievements. When Katie isn't working, she loves spending time with her family, playing games, and listening to audiobooks.

Ruth Ross

BCBA

Ruth is an intern currently getting her Masters to become a BCBA at Utah Valley University. Ruth completed her undergraduate degree in 2020 at Brigham Young University in Communication Disorders. Ruth has been working at ABI since November 2023 and has been working as an RBT since 2020. In her free time she loves hiking, dancing, and playing games with friends and family.

Sarah Crossley

Sarah Crossley has been a behavioral intern at ABI since June 2024. She has a B.S. in Special Education from BYU and is currently working on a M.S. in Special Education and Behavioral Analysis from Utah State University. Before ABI, Sarah taught severe special education for nine years at a junior high and loved seeing the kids gain independence and increase their social skills. This led her to the field of ABA. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys hiking and camping, spending time with her family and hanging out with her farm animals.

BAIT's (Behavior Analysts in Training)

Andrew Medeiros

BAIT

Andrew joined the ABI team in summer of 2021 as an RBT and has loved it ever since! Andrew is currently working towards his BCBA in the Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s program through ASU. He has a passion for working with children of all ages and has experience working with children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Andrew loves being a part of the ABI team! Outside of work, Andrew loves watching baseball, playing games, traveling, and spending time with his family and pets.

Camille Beck

BAIT

Camille has worked at ABI since January of 2022 as a RBT and has been an RBT since August of 2020. Camille graduated with her BA in Family Science, Minoring in Autism Studies from UVU in the spring of 2022. Since then Camille has started her Masters to become a BCBA from ASU and plans to graduate Spring of 2025. Camille loves ABI so much and loves how kind everyone is and that she feels like she is making a difference in so many kids lives. Camille loves to sing, hike, travel the world and has a goal to visit every Disney park in the world (so far it’s just the 2 in the US).

Brielle Williams

BAIT

Brielle joined the ABI team as an RBT in January 2022. She is currently working towards her BCBA at Utah Valley University. Brielle speaks to behavior analysts around the country on integrating compassion and the autistic perspective into the field of ABA, and is passionate about making the field kinder. When not in work, Brielle loves to read mystery novels, listen to music, and eat ramen.

Amber Bradshaw

BAIT

Amber began working at ABI in August 2023 where her knowledge of autism and her desire to help everyone around her grow was evident from day one and we have been so fortunate to have her as part of the team.

Amber received undergraduate degrees at both Utah Valley University and Utah State University. While working on her bachelor’s degree at Utah State, she took courses in mental health, psychology and understanding students with disabilities. This sparked Amber’s interest in working with children with disabilities particularly those who have autism as she grew up with family members with various mental health, neurological and developmental disabilities of various severities and got to see firsthand the benefits of having an advocate who was also a cheerleader for her family members and wanted to be that for others. Amber began working on her Masters of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis at Utah Valley University in May 2024.

Outside of work and school, she loves to cook food to share with friends and family, play with dogs, paddle boarding and read.

Ellie Elggren

BAIT

Ellie Elggren was born and raised in Utah. She graduated from Utah Valley University in 2024 with a Bachelor’s in Family Science and a minor in Autism Studies. Her passion for supporting individuals with special needs has been a driving force in her life, inspired by her cousin with special needs. This motivation led her to further her education through Arizona State University’s BCBA Applied Behavior Analysis Master’s program. Ellie began her career as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at ABI in 2023, where she has built amazing connections with her clients. She values her collaborative coworkers and is eager to grow through their example. Ellie has loved ABI and finds fulfillment in witnessing her clients’ daily progress and growth!

Admin

Alicia McPherson

Alicia has been working with ABI since March 2020 and is going to school to become a BCBA. She works on the Administration team and helps manage communications, building maintenance, as well as help create a positive environment for kids and staff. She also works as an RBT and provides direct care for the kids at the center. In her downtime she enjoys running, martial arts, reading, and creating art.

KyLeigh Miller

KyLeigh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from BYU-Idaho and a Master’s Degree in EarlyChildhood and Family Development from Missouri State University, where her thesis focused on the long-term effects of childhood psychological abuse on adult well-being. A Utah resident since 2016, KyLeigh is passionate about helping children and is excited to be at ABI. Outside of work, KyLeigh enjoys reading, baking, volunteering, and spending quality time with her little family.

Contact us 

Contact us today to learn more about our ABA education programs. We look forward to welcoming you to the ABA Education Center, where every achievement is celebrated, and every learner is valued.

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