The Behavior Doc

03/26/2026

“He just keeps pressing the same button…”
We hear this a lot—and we want you to know: that is learning. 💬

At The Behavior Doc, we view early AAC use as an important exploratory phase. Repeatedly pressing a single button isn’t “misuse”—it’s a child discovering cause and effect, building familiarity, and gaining confidence with their voice.

Through Natural Environment Teaching, we support AAC development in real, playful moments—whether a child is:
🧩 Exploring sounds during play
🎨 Pressing a favorite button while drawing
🏀 Using their device to engage during shared activities

With 1:1 guidance, we gently model and expand communication, meeting each child where they are—without taking away their autonomy or curiosity.

We assume competence. Always.
And we know that meaningful communication grows from these early, powerful moments of exploration. 🌱

Every press is a step toward connection. 💛

03/26/2026

Spring, Sprang, Sprung.... Check out our littles - they're all having FUN!

At The Behavior Doc, learning doesn’t always look like sitting at a desk—it often looks like play. 💛

Through Natural Environment Teaching (NET), we meet children where they are and build skills within the moments that matter most—drawing, playing with puzzles, sharing toys, or even shooting hoops.

With 1:1 guidance, peers are supported as they:
✨ Build meaningful social connections
✨ Strengthen ready-to-learn skills
✨ Develop functional communication—whether through vocal speech, PECS, AAC devices, or communication boards

We assume competence in every child and honor their unique way of engaging with the world. By embedding learning into play, we create opportunities for growth that feel natural, motivating, and joyful.

Because when learning feels good, it sticks. 🎯

03/20/2026

After all the snow, rain, and tornado weather, our kiddos are Jumping for Joy and welcoming spring today!

One of the benefits of our clinic locations includes facilitated peer and play skills. These three have been having the best day, spring crafts, time in our sensory gym, and engaging with peers!

All smiles on this sunshiny FriYay!

02/12/2026

Families often have questions when starting ABA services. An intake and assessment process helps determine whether services are appropriate and what supports may be recommended.

We currently have no-wait for clinic-based services in Culpeper and Charlottesville.

Apply now, start therapy in weeks, not months!

Please click the link to complete this form.

12/18/2025

Parents often ask "What's a good gift idea for my kid? They don't really "play" with toys, and end up putting them in their mouth or prefer my nubby sweaters anyways"

Sensory Input Seekers, This mom has found quite the haul!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSYGMv2gTTb/?igsh=bjhuampoYW44YzFi

Do you have things on your list that can help other moms/dads/grandparents during the holidays? Drop them in the comments!

12/18/2025

Ring in the New Year with C-STARs Teen Social Group!!
DATE: December 31st
TIME: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
LOCATION: Throwback Arcade - Culpeper
AGES: 12+ All Abilities Welcome
COST: $45 - includes arcade play and activities provided by our Licensed Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapists Assistants who will be supervising your child.

Call our office at 540-225-1150 to register.
Deadline to register is December 29th

11/20/2025

Hip Hip HOORAY! Mackenzie is a BCBA!

Another one of our supervisees have leveled up with their BCBA credentials!

Our fieldwork students are some of the BEST analysts around! Working under our increased supervision and concentrated fieldwork program, they gain the knowledge and skills to seamlessly transition into their new roles.

Mackenzie will soon be taking over some of the cases she was working with as an RBT and Fieldwork Student, and will be serving the Charlottesville Region as an in-home BCBA.

We are currently accepting in-home clients in Charlottesville, and clinic mornings (8:30 - 1:30) for both our Culpeper and Charlottesville Clinic locations.

Give Mackenzie a shout out!

If you'd like to join us (as a candidate or a client) visit our website www.TheBehaviorDocABA.com and drop us a line!

Serving several locations in Virginia, The Behavior Doc is privately owned and run by licensed doctorate level behavior analysts (BCBA-D) with clinical expertise in applied behavior analysis and behavior therapy.

10/30/2025

✨ Sensory Friendly Hours ✨

Join us on Sunday, November 2nd from 3:00–5:00 PM for a calm and welcoming playtime at PlayDate: A Children’s Museum!

☁️This special session is designed for any child who enjoys a quieter environment — with dim lights, no music, and smaller crowds for relaxed play and learning.

➡️RSVP https://www.playdateculpeper.org/event-details/november-sensory-friendly-hours

10/27/2025

At The Behavior Doc, we know Halloween can be both exciting and overwhelming for our sensory seekers and avoiders alike. Dressing up and celebrating can be a wonderful opportunity to blend your child’s special interests with comfort and confidence 💫

At our clinics, we do a practice run of going door to door and getting a special treat (sometimes its a squishy, sometimes it's bubbles..... who knows!) so we can teach them how trick or treat works in a familiar setting!

✨ Here are a few neuro-affirming Halloween tips for your little ghosts and superheroes:

🦸‍♀️ Incorporate Special Interests – Costumes don’t have to be store-bought! Let your child’s passions lead the way. Whether it’s trains, animals, or favorite colors, creating a costume that celebrates their interests builds joy and reduces anxiety.

🎧 Prioritize Sensory Comfort – Choose soft fabrics and tag-free options. Some kids love the idea of dressing up but not the feel of costumes—so a themed t-shirt or pajama set counts, too! Comfort is key to confidence.

🕯️ Plan for Safety & Support – For our elopers or non-vocal communicators, glow sticks, ID bracelets, or a simple “communication card” can make all the difference. Consider a buddy system or set boundaries around trick-or-treating areas.

👻 Halloween should be about connection, not correction. Let’s make it a night filled with joy, safety, and acceptance—one sensory-friendly step at a time. 💚

🧡 From our team at The Behavior Doc ABA—Happy Halloween!

We can't wait to see all of our family's costumes this year!

09/25/2025

From fine motor deficits to task refusal, learning readiness are often skills we work on with our kiddos prior to launching them into an educational environment. “Ready to Learn” skills are often a targeted behavior with our 3.5-5 year old kiddos (in place of a school-based preschool). We are able to focus with a 1:1 therapist on these ready to learn as well as social skills in a group setting, where we can individualize the support provided to your kiddo, as well as to the peer they may work alongside.

Visit our website - or reach out for information about our early intervention clinic based services in Culpeper and Charlottesville.

And WOO HOO to A and R on these new writing samples!!

09/14/2025

Twas the night before Monday and all thru the clinic - our elves have been hard at work preparing a surprise for the kids in Charlottesville. I can’t wait to see their faces!

08/08/2025

Next week, Charlottesville returns to school. This week, Culpeper returned.

As a parent of special needs kids, this time of year is often difficult, especially if going to Pre-K or Kindergarten is not on the radar.

Our clinics focus on early intervention and ready-to-learn skills to help our kiddos be successful in a classroom environment. We're able to work on social skills with peers like sharing, taking turns, and waiting. Functional communication to express wants and needs (not just going Potty, or getting a drink or snack - but also giving the skill of requesting removal of something (or someONE we don't want).

Through a variety of natural environment and direct instruction, we can work on sustaining engagement in an activity (for those kiddos who bounce around from thing to thing with limited attention), following simple directions like "Show me, touch the, point to" (these are crucial for demonstrating their knowledge in school), and engaging in the various circle time and classroom routines.

With 1:1 support, specialized instruction, and a fun sensory gym to get those wiggles out (even when its raining or hot outside) - consider enrolling in one of our clinic locations.

Pre-school (early intervention up to age 5/6) sessions are available Monday-Friday 8:30 - 1:30 am in our two clinic locations:

100 Saunders Street, Culpeper, VA 22701
3450 Berkmar Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901

Call 540-779-8270 for more information

Or complete an application today:

Please click the link to complete this form.