Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is transforming the support for individuals with developmental disorders, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). With its proven strategies, ABA helps people improve their social, communication, and learning skills. Despite these advancements, the industry still faces challenges that can limit its reach.
Daniela Climaco steps in to address these challenges. As the Owner and Director of Behaviors of NYC, Daniela brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for making a real difference in people’s lives. Her dedication to excellence and genuine commitment to her clients drive her agency to new heights, setting a new standard in ABA services.
Her career spans various roles, from certified General and Special Education teacher for grades 1-6 to ABA instructor and supervisor at prestigious institutions like the Institute for Child Development and the Manhattan Children’s Center. Daniela has worked one-on-one with students, managed data collection and analysis, and coordinated programs that support children with special needs. Reflecting on her experiences, Daniela says, “I have dedicated my life to changing the lives of children and their families with special needs.”
Daniela’s Expertise and Leadership in ABA Therapy
Daniela is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has dedicated over 15 years to working with children on the autism spectrum, their families, and communities. Daniela’s journey began at Binghamton University, where she developed her passion for helping children with autism. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and went on to earn a master’s degree in Intellectual Disabilities and Autism from Columbia University’s Teachers College. Furthering her expertise, Daniela completed an Advanced Post-Master’s Behavioral Analysis Degree at the Florida Institute of Technology.
At Behaviors of NYC, Daniela leads a dedicated team in providing comprehensive ABA services to children aged 3-25, both verbal and non-verbal, on the autism spectrum. Under her guidance, the agency offers a wide range of services, including assessments, skill acquisition training, social skills training, behavior management, language development, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), community training, pre-vocational training, family dynamics improvement, parent training, and ongoing staff training and supervision.
Daniela’s passion lies in enhancing the quality of life for her clients and their families. “Our mission is to work with each child and their family members to create the best possible outcome for everyone,” Daniela explains. At Behaviors of NYC, this mission drives every effort, aiming to create the best possible outcomes for each child and their family members. The agency’s vision is to foster happy, highly functioning family units that provide the stability and environment needed for everyone to thrive.
Founding the Vision: Commitment to Personalized ABA Therapy
The journey of Behaviors began in 2016 when Daniela’s husband embarked on his entrepreneurial path, building a few companies that failed to work out. During this time, Daniela worked as a BCBA supervisor for various competitors, observing what worked and what didn’t. “After many conversations, we decided to join forces and combine our skills,” Daniela recalls.
Unlike many other ABA agencies, Behaviors caters to families, ensuring that therapists are matched to clients, not just assigned as “another body.” Daniela emphasizes, “We believe that your child is more than an assessment and a behavior intervention plan. He or she is family.”
Behaviors provides extensive experience in social skills development and prioritizes listening to and supporting families. The agency works with verbal and non-verbal clients aged 3-25 in home, school, and community settings.
The Dynamic Approach of ABA Therapy
Daniela believes that ABA’s true strength lies in its individualized approach. “Each child is unique, and their therapy should be too,” she says.ABA therapy uses one-on-one programs tailored to each child’s specific behaviors, aiming to decrease challenging behaviors and increase positive ones.
According to Daniela, one of the key benefits of ABA is its evidence-based nature. Therapists track and analyze every strategy, ensuring that the methods used are effective and adjusted as needed. This data-driven approach helps families understand what works best for their child and where to focus their energy.
ABA therapy is known for its flexibility. It can be adapted to meet the needs of each child and provided in various settings such as home, school, and community. It teaches essential skills for everyday life, whether it’s communication, social skills, or self-care. “We focus on increasing helpful behaviors and reducing those that hinder learning or cause harm,” Daniela explains.
Early intervention with ABA can make a significant difference, helping children with autism lead happier, more productive lives. The therapy is particularly effective for managing challenging behaviors, such as self-injury and aggression. Daniela emphasizes, “Our goal is to help each child become more independent and successful, both now and in the future.”
Comprehensive Services Tailored to Individual Needs
Behaviors of NYC provides 1-to-1 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services across New York City, offering support in home, community, and school settings. They conduct assessments, skill acquisition training, social skills training, behavior management, Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), implement behavior plans, community training, pre-vocational training, parent training, and ongoing staff training and supervision. They offer both direct training (DTT) and naturalistic environment training.
What sets Behaviors apart is their personalized approach. They ensure that each child and their family receive extensive experience in social skills development, focusing on quality of life improvement, including community skills, activities of daily living, language development, and family dynamics.
One common pain point for many families is that larger agencies often don’t have the time or care to ensure that therapists are well-matched to clients or that programming is properly developed and supervised. Behaviors addresses this by hiring staff specifically matched to clients’ needs rather than assigning just any available therapist.
Managing Operations and Enhancing Client Support
As the Director of Behaviors of NYC, Daniela manages, communicates, and directly involves herself in daily operations. She starts her day by checking in with her team of supervisors, discussing the progress of various cases, and addressing any challenges.
Daniela also connects with parents, providing updates on their children’s development and addressing all concerns. Furthermore, she coordinates with special needs lawyers to ensure they meet all legal requirements and that children receive the best possible support.
Daniela shares, “My favorite part of what I do is watching my clients grow and develop. I love to hear about their gains and successes as they master new skills.”
Navigating Financial Turbulence
Daniela faced numerous challenges throughout her career, one of the most significant being the financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Behaviors of NYC, which holds a contract with the NYC Department of Education, experienced severe payment delays due to the lockdown. The DOE struggled to adjust, became understaffed, and accumulated a substantial payment backlog.
Daniela recalls, “We went nine months without getting paid, and it took almost a year for things to get back to normal.” During this period, Behaviors used all its savings and secured multiple loans to stay afloat. The financial strain brought many sleepless nights, and at one point, selling the company seemed like a possible option. However, Daniela endured nine months without payment and navigated significant financial challenges. Her resilience and strategic planning ultimately guided Behaviors through the crisis, ensuring its survival and securing renewed stability and growth.
Overcoming Stigma in Mental Health
In her practice at Behaviors of NYC, Daniela actively addresses the stigma around mental health. She understands that many parents deny and fear diagnoses and treatments. Daniela emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, explaining that the sooner it is done, the better the chances for effective treatment and success.
“Being in denial prevents a lot of parents from getting ahead of it,” Daniela points out, stressing the need for parents to overcome their fears and seek a diagnosis early. She recognizes that breaking this stigma is crucial for families to receive the best possible support.
Under Daniela’s leadership, Behaviors of NYC is developing an educational course to teach parents about mental health, diagnosis, and treatment options. This course empowers parents, giving them the knowledge and tools they need to take action. Daniela’s goal is to help parents understand that seeking help is a positive step, not a sign of failure.
Beyond her practice, Daniela advocates for mental well-being in the broader community by promoting awareness and education. She actively engages in community outreach, aiming to change perceptions and reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
Orchestrating Success and Serenity
Daniela understands that work-life balance is all about effective time management. She relies on a detailed schedule and the support of her assistant to keep everything running smoothly. “In order to be successful, you must allocate time for everything and everyone,” Daniela says. This structured approach ensures that she knows what comes next, providing a balanced mix between her professional duties and personal life.
Her routine includes dedicated “me” time, work time, and family time. This way, Daniela can focus on her business without neglecting her personal needs or family responsibilities. She loves spending time with her husband and their two young boys, ages 2 and 4. Beyond family time, Daniela enjoys working out and relaxing at the beach.
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