Our History
ABA Consulting Group was founded in 2019 to make high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) more accessible to the Illinois community. ABA Consulting Group provides consultative services to school districts, and children and adults with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and more. We are expanding our team and service area for 2024. Stay tuned for more!
"The primary goal of ABA Consulting Group is providing evidence-based effective behavioral consultative services. We focus on providing compassionate, assent-driven, science based, and trauma informed positive behavior supports to help improve the quality of life of the individuals and organizations we serve."
-Abe Saenz, M.A., BCBA®
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
What is a BCBA®?
BCBA® stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In order to obtain the certifications, an individual will have to meet a set of requirements created by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). BACB was originally formed in 1998 and it is a credentialing body for the field of behavior analysis. Although competencies and expertise's vary among BCBAs, the certification informs you that this person has at least 1500 clinical hours in applying ABA concepts and strategies. When organizations or parents are looking for a BCBA® practitioner and autism service provider, it is a must to ensure that the organization has at least one BCBA® on the staff roster to oversee their therapy, programs, and services.
Abe Saenz, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, BCBA®
Abe is from Chicago, IL. He attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where he studied Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis, and earned his Master of Arts degree in ABA from Ball State University. Abe has over 17 years of applied experience providing behavior intervention and consultation. Experience ranges from working with adults with Traumatic Brain Injury in a Post Acute Rehab Center (Benton, Arkansas and Gilroy, CA), running in-home programs and teaching new skills to children with autism, and consulting with school districts. Abe is enrolled as an Illinois DHS Provider for Behavior Intervention and Treatment through the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Abe is also credentialed with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.
Abe is also credentialed as an International Behavior Analyst®
Evelyn A., M.S., BCBA®
Evelyn is a Chicago native. She attended Northern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She then enrolled at Aurora University where she earned her Masters in Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and earned her BCBA credential in 2019.
Evelyn is highly experienced (10 years) in running ABA programs with children in in-home programs. She currently is working as a consultant for adults that are attending community day services and live in group homes in Illinois. She's responsible for conducting assessments, writing behavior plans, and implementing data collection systems with her behavior plans.
Evelyn is also a native Spanish-Speaker, and is in high-demand for providing ABA services to Spanish-speaking families.
Antoine T., M.A., BCBA®-in-Training
Antoine was born and raised in Southern Illinois and has resided in Chicago for 20+ years. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Xavier University on Chicago’s southside, majoring in Pre-Medicine with a focus on Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience and earned his Master of Art degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Antoine has experience working with adults with developmental disabilities, providing consultative services to adults on the Medicaid Waiver in Illinois and is currently a Level II Behavior Consultant through Illinois Department of Human Services.
Having come from a healthcare background, primarily working in hospitals, Antoine takes a more holistic and patient-focused approach to treatment. Antoine's approach is centered around evidence-based practices and aims to help improve life functioning for individuals through targeted treatment planning, coordinated care, and resource access.
Jacqueline S., B.S., BCBA®-in-Training
Jacqueline lives in Chicago, IL with her family. She attended undergraduate school at Saint Xavier University in Chicago where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology. Jacqueline also attended Loyola University Chicago for coursework in advanced clinical Psychology. Currently, Jacqueline is enrolled in Ball State University's Master’s program for Applied Behavior Analysis with a certification for Autism Spectrum Disorder. She worked as an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) one on one with children on the autism spectrum within their homes and in the clinic where she provided science-based evidence practices focused improving their life skills and implementing behavioral techniques alongside their caretakers. Jacqueline partnered with ABA Consultant Group in 2020 and under the supervision of Abe Saenz, BCBA she earned her credentialling with the State of IL Department of Human Services as a Level II Behavior Consultant servicing recipients of the Medicaid waiver.
Her passions include helping those individuals on the autism spectrum to live their most fulfilling lives possible, continuing her ABA education, being an advocate for family’s seeking services for their loved ones, and spreading the message of inclusion and acceptance of all ASD & DDD individuals.
“When a family focuses on the ability instead of the disability, all things are possible. Love and acceptance are key. We need to interact with those with autism by taking an interest in their interests.”
- A.R Rose
Lara S, M.A., BCBA
Lara has over 12 years of experience providing behavior intervention with individuals with a range of developmental disabilities. Lara earned her masters degree from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Lara has experience providing behavior intervention services with adults and children in multiple settings like schools, in home and CILA.
Lara joins us as an independent contractor and we are grateful for her assistance.