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Brighter Strides ABA

ABA Therapy Washington, D.C.

We offer comprehensive ABA therapy services in the D.C. area—delivering individualized, evidence-based interventions with compassionate care to help children with autism and their families grow, connect, and thrive.
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Daycare-Based ABA Therapy

Structured, specialized ABA daycare support for your child’s early intervention success.

In-Home ABA Therapy

Personalized therapy in the comfort of your home for focused support.

Afterschool Programs

ABA support designed for school-aged children to improve communication, independence, and social skills beyond the school day.

Our D.C.-based ABA Services

Trusted as a leading ABA therapy provider in Washington, D.C.

Our in-home ABA therapy, daycare, and after school programs empower children to overcome the challenges that hinder their growth and gain the skills they need to succeed.

Using research-backed Applied Behavior Analysis techniques and strategies to enhance communication, increase independence, and improve social interaction and engagement—our caring team becomes a trusted partner in your child’s development.

Our Team

Dedicated to your child’s growth and your family’s success.

Our experienced team of licensed ABA professionals is united by a shared commitment to realizing your child’s potential and supporting your family with tools to create a loving, inclusive environment.
Celine Hildack

Celine Hildack

BCBA, COBA, LBA

BCBA

Meet Celine Hildack
Celine Hildack

Celine Hildack

childack@brighterstridesaba.com

Celine Hildack

BCBA, COBA, LBA

Celine is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over three years of experience supporting children and their families through evidence-based ABA practices. With a deep passion for helping children thrive, she focuses on promoting meaningful developmental progress while ensuring each child receives compassionate, individualized care. Celine brings expertise in behavior reduction, ABA strategy implementation, and supporting families through consistent, effective communication. She is also highly skilled in time management and scheduling, ensuring that each client’s program runs smoothly and efficiently. Above all, Celine is committed to making sure clients and their families receive the support they want and deserve. When working with families, Celine prioritizes collaboration, transparency, and respect. She believes that progress happens when everyone is heard, supported, and empowered. Fun fact: Outside of her professional work, Celine enjoys painting in her free time. While self-taught, she has a natural talent for creating vibrant and expressive pieces that reflect her creativity and attention to detail.

Emily Marquis

Emily Marquis

BCBA

Senior BCBA

Meet Emily Marquis
Emily Marquis

Emily Marquis

emarquis@brighterstridesaba.com

Emily Marquis

BCBA

Emily has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2014 and brings over a decade of experience supporting children with autism. Before becoming a BCBA, she worked as an autism classroom teacher for five years, where she developed a passion for group learning and teaching social skills in collaborative, engaging ways. Emily is especially skilled at creating dynamic learning environments and helping children thrive both individually and in group settings. Outside of ABA, Emily is a certified fitness instructor. She teaches yoga, cycling, and is a personal trainer, and loves promoting wellness in all areas of life. A fun fact: she loves animals and has a sassy black cat named Raven!

Payton Watton

Payton Watton

LBA

BCBA

Meet Payton Watton
Payton Watton

Payton Watton

pwatton@brighterstridesaba.com

Payton Watton

LBA

Hi! I’m Payton Watton. I am a Georgia peach who ended up in Washington, DC! I received my masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Vanderbilt University and have been a BCBA for 4 years now. While at Vanderbilt, I was apart of many research projects focusing on imitation, school based interventions and reduction in severe challenging behavior. I have always had a passion for individuals with disabilities and have worked with this population since I was in 4th grade. I enjoy working collaboratively with parents and other service providers to help my clients succeed. A fun fact about me is that I love hot yoga and hope to become an instructor in the near future.

Our Clinics

Explore our state-of-the-art ABA therapy centers in Washington, D.C..

Our bright, modern clinics are designed to support your child with the optimal conditions for learning.

Find a Local Clinic Near You

ACCEPTED INSURANCE PLANS

We’ve Got You Covered

We proudly accept Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans. If you are not currently insured or need financial assistance, our team is here to help you navigate alternative funding options. Please contact us to get started.
Check Your Coverage

Insurance acceptance varies by state.

Our Process

We simplify the process with superior support.

From your first inquiry—to tracking your child’s progress with data-driven insights—we ensure ABA therapy is accessible, personalized, and effective for your family.

Intake & Benefit Checks

During a free consultation (online or by phone), a member of our administrative team will gather basic information about your child’s needs and navigate the insurance process for you.

Initial Assessment

Once we confirm eligibility and benefits, our team will schedule an in-person evaluation of your child’s current skills and challenges with a Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).

Behavior Treatment Plan

With insights from the assessment and your parental review, the BCBA will create a highly individualized Behavior Treatment Plan (BIP) tailored to your child’s needs, goals, therapeutic priorities, and personal circumstances.

Personalized ABA Therapy

Based on agreed-upon goals and strategies outlined in the BIP, your child will begin regularly scheduled ABA therapy sessions at home, in the center, or at school.

Tracked Growth & Progress

Data is recorded and used to track your child’s progress. As your child succeeds with ABA therapy, the treatment plan is adjusted accordingly to support continued growth and increased independence.
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Success Stories

The true impact of our work is best reflected in the words of our clients.

ThatFoxyCreator
Professional, compassionate, and reliable. Everything we hoped for in ABA services..
jordan B.
We've seen incredible growth thanks to their personalized, hands on approach.
Yitzi F.
Brighter Strides ABA has been a game-changer for our family.

From day one, their team has gone above and beyond to provide thoughtful, individualized care. The BCBAs are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive, taking the time to explain each step of the process and truly collaborate with us. The RBTs have been professional, consistent, and caring, building real relationships with our child and helping us see meaningful progress.

Communication is always clear, scheduling has been flexible, and it’s obvious that the staff truly care about the kids and families they work with. We feel lucky to be part of a provider that prioritizes quality, respect, and results.

Highly recommend Brighter Strides to any family looking for ABA services that are both compassionate and effective
Nadia C.
My son was with brighter strides for a bit over a year, today he graduated and I can’t sit here and lie and say I don’t feel emotional about not going anymore. If you’re looking for a team that’s loving, caring, patient and want to see your child achieve their goals I would definitely recommend brighter strides. Every single person has been amazing. The communication, the patience, organization they have has really exceeded what I thought how it could be. The way my son asked every day about going to school or about going to see his RBTs I knew he was being cared for as he should. I will forever be grateful to his team on how much they helped him improve in areas he struggled with at the beginning. He went from barely speaking to having conversations, not potty trained to potty trained, speaking his emotions instead of hitting. I don’t have much family out in GA and don’t have the village others have but I can definitely say the way they treated my son felt like they were apart of my village. Thank you so much for everything yall did!
Buffie R.
If you’re a parent who has ever walked a hard path with your child’s health—this is for you.
I’ve been through the ups, the downs, the medication trials and tapers, the hospitalizations, the endless school calls, emails, and texts. I’ve felt the pain of isolation, the tears, the depression. I’ve experienced the failure of services that weren’t the right fit, and the heartbreak that comes when nothing seems to work. I’ve felt the physical, verbal, and emotional toll of parenting a child with extreme behavioral needs. I’ve been there, ready to give up with nowhere left to turn.

But I didn’t give up. And I’m writing this today to tell you not to either.

Brighter Strides ABA Therapy has been nothing short of life-changing for our family. Since starting services with them, and more importantly, with the right team, my son has gone from 50 aggressive behaviors in an hour to five or fewer a week. Sometimes even none. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s a testament to the power of the right support, the right medication plan, and the right people.

To Hannah and Kuri, our BCBA and RBT, you have not only changed my son’s life, you have saved my mental health as a parent. You’ve brought peace and hope back into our home. I will forever be indebted to you.

To the parents still in the thick of it: don’t stop advocating. Don’t stop learning. Don’t let anyone make you question how well you know your child. Every gut instinct I followed, every time I pushed back or pressed harder, it paid off. Keep fighting the fight. Be willing to grow and adapt alongside your child. There is always more to learn. And there is help out there that does work, Brighter Strides is proof of that.

ABA therapy, when done right, with the right people, alongside proper medication and parent training, is a game changer. It’s not perfect—but nothing is. And when you’ve been through what we have, even small wins feel like miracles.

Thank you, Brighter Strides. Thank you, Hannah and Kuri. You didn’t just help my son, you saved our family.
Jesse L.
There were all so nice to us and explaining everything waiting to start school soon excited thank you
Aiden M.
This is a pretty good place. Can’t wait to start services for my son!
Briana W.
love the services, amazing RBT and BCBA. having it in home has been very beneficial for me as a parent to see the process and learn skills
Francisca G.
Un lugar muy seguro, sobre todo los trabajadores son muy amables yo en lo personal estoy en encantada con el gran avance qué tiene mi hijo
April S.
I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for my son’s incredible therapy team, Mrs. Alyssa and Mrs. Z. Over the past year with Brighter Strides ABA, the progress my son has made in his growth and development has been truly reassuring for our family's future.

Mrs. Alyssa, our dedicated coordinator, has been an exceptional advocate for my son, ensuring that his needs are met on various different occasions when I was unknowledgeable on how to express them. Mrs. Z, through her one-on-one sessions, has brought creativity, enthusiasm, and unwavering dedication to his development, making a meaningful impact that has not gone unnoticed.

Thank you both for not only supporting my son but also guiding and uplifting our entire family as we navigate this journey. Your hard work and commitment mean the world to us!
Lakisha R.
Very professional. My kids love the center and staff is friendly.
monica R.
Bright Strides provides great services by understanding the specific needs of our kids, not only with good strategies but also with clear and complete goals. The administrative service is excellent, always willing to help and find solutions.
Bryan W.
All pros no cons great people and organization
monica R.
My son Danny has been with Bright Strides for over three years, and his progress in following instructions, speech, and social skills has been amazing. The Bright Strides team has worked tirelessly to ensure that Daniel advances in every area he needs. They have designed sessions with clear and achievable goals tailored to him. All of Danny's accomplishments are a direct result of the team's dedication and the ongoing support we've received as parents. The administrative team has also been incredibly responsive, addressing any questions or concerns we've had in the shortest time possible. I have nothing but gratitude and positive feedback for the exceptional service we've received.
nidhal H.
A fantastic ABA center! The staff genuinely cares, and their methods are both effective and compassionate.
John
Really helped my son. Grateful for the work they’ve done especially his RBT!
Kayleigh F.
Brighter Strides has been fantastic for my son. Our RBT and her supervisor have been engaging and I feel like he is making progress everyday with is in home therapy. Alex and Bri are the best!!
Nancy J.
They are very professional they take their time to understand their clients needs, and also the parents needs and concerns understanding. I’ve seen improvement with my kiddo.
Nykyta A.
My son attends Brighter Strides for ABA therapy. We have just started but so far we have really enjoyed all the staff and my Son absolutely loves the facility.
Evelyn
My son is receiving services in Fayetteville, NC. No wait list. I was amazed how quickly services started. The intake process to starting services took about 3 weeks. Other ABA companies were needing evals within 3 years where Brighter Strides didn't require. My son is enrolled at a Christian private academy where he receives ABA. His behaviors changed immediately. His team works not only with my son, but with myself and staff to ensure he's going to succeed and thrive. I am impressed with his team. Diana (RBT), Som (lead RBT), and Kiera (BCBA) are fantastic! These ladies are greatly appreciated by faculty at the school also.
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Nationwide support for children with autism.

Our evidence-based ABA services are improving outcomes for children on the autism spectrum across the country. With statewide services in 11 states, we ensure families have local access to the quality care and support they need.
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