Center Director

Emilye Schmale

First and foremost, I am the mother of a eleven-year-old autistic boy who was diagnosed 7 days after his birth with Hydrocephalus. This resulted in three brain surgeries and a later diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Just before my son’s third birthday we received yet another diagnosis, this time Autism. I have walked this journey with many others in the DFW area for many years and I‘ve seen the pain and the joy, the success over the little things and the daily struggles and stress from a firsthand perspective. I connect with fellow ASD parents in groups, online forums, at playdates, doctor appointments and special needs functions and conferences. I have felt the desperation and desire for help and support. I saw a way to make a difference. As a parent of a special needs child I desperately want my son to receive the very best care, but it goes further than that, it is important to me to provide a safe place where parents and their special children can feel secure and understood. After over 15 years as a sales & marketing professional in the corporate world, I am now immersed in my true passion, this is Shine.

M.S., BCBA, LBA & Clinical Director

Madeline Canas-Granados

Meet Maddie, she has her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Stetson University in Florida where she started her career in ABA as an RBT. She found her passion and went on to pursue her Master’s Degree at Capella University. Throughout her time in the field, she has worked in a multitude of settings (home, school, and center) to help children with ASD in all aspects of their everyday life. She has experience creating and running social skill groups and groups where daily living skills are targeted, especially for older clients. Maddie feels that working directly in the schools has increased her advocacy level and broadened her horizons to give her a unique perspective on how far ABA can impact kiddos in all stages of life and development. She feels that meeting clients at their level whether that be through play or more structured activities ensures clients’ needs are met to their best interest! Every client is unique, and she loves to see their progress and improvement in life, it is something she feels very lucky to be a part of! Maddie comes to us from New York and is thrilled to be a part of the collaborate Shine team here in Texas, she looks forward to working with our families and clients as we grow!

Lead BCBA, LBA

Evan Skelton

Meet Evan Skelton, she holds both her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and her Masters’ in Applied Behavior Analysis from USF. She is certified by the national Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) as a BCBA and has over 9 years of experience working directly in the field. Working with children is Evan’s passion, but for her nothing compares to working with children on the Autism Spectrum. She takes great pride in getting to know each child and their families personally. Through the daily implementation of ABA as well as collaborating with the variety of disciplines we bring together at Shine Evan feels honored to be brought into the world of our children, and to see the beautiful souls, intelligence, and sense of humor many others may not be lucky enough to see. For Evan there is no better reward than improving the quality of life for our special need’s children and their families.

Office Manager

Juliana Jo

Meet Jo. Texas Born and Louisiana raised, found her way back to Texas in pursuit of her passion and advocacy for mental and behavioral health. Her birth mother was diagnosed bipolar with paranoid schizophrenic tendencies along with 3 siblings on the spectrum, she wanted to better understand their struggles, and worked in a psych-ward locally for 2 years in administration while continuing her education. Upon discovery Juliana Jo wanted to contribute to a more therapeutic approach and environment. For 2 years Juliana cared for children on the spectrum as a nanny and saw behavioral therapy in action. In that time she decided it was an approach with results she could see and agrees with. In 2021 Jo came to Shine Behavioral as a Behavioral Therapist with over 10 years of child-care experience, not including her background with having 13 siblings and 7 years of administrative work in health care, hospitality, and health insurance. Now Jo exercises her administrative and interpersonal communicative skills in a company with a mission she believes and supports. Jo says, “ I can really see the heart and passion of the staff geared towards each kids best interest and educational future. I love that Shine gives each kid the opportunity to learn in a school setting while receiving the tailored specific care that they need”.

BCBA, LBA

Clarisvel Carranco

Hi, my name is Clarisvel Carranco, but I go by Claire for short. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in 2014 in psychology from Texas Women’s University and my master’s degree in 2016 in human development and childhood disorders from the University of Texas in Dallas. Soon after graduation, I started working at a school with the special education department and fell in love with the kiddos which led me to pursue my BCBA certification and received it in 2021 after completing additional courses at Texas Tech University. While pursuing my BCBA I worked from 2016-2021 as a Senior Registered Behavior Technician continuing to grow my skills in ABA.

I love working with kids because I can be as silly as I want with them without feeling judged…most of the time. Regarding ABA, I fell in love with ABA because I love helping children reach their milestones and love helping families who are in need. My current interests involve feeding and picky eaters, and my goal is to increase my skill set by incorporating interventions using positive reinforcement.

MA,BCBA, LBA

Hope Smith

Meet Hope Smith. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas, where she began her career as a therapist specializing in early childhood intervention for severe behaviors. Before obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, she worked as a Day Hab instructor, assisting adults with developmental disabilities in acquiring life skills such as cooking meals, using public transportation, and ordering food, among others.

Having developed a passion for working with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, Hope decided to further her education by pursuing a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis on Autism Spectrum Disorder at Ball State University. During this period, she ventured into the in-home sector, gaining experience with a diverse range of behaviors, skills, and age groups.

One of Hope’s guiding principles is encapsulated in her favorite quote: “I know I’m doing my job right when I work myself out of a job.” Her goal is to empower each client to achieve independence, personalized to what independence means to them. Working within this community has been profoundly rewarding for Hope, as she continues to learn from each client. She eagerly anticipates further growth and learning experiences within the Shine family.

MA,BCBA, LBA

John Barnes

John Barnes is a committed Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with a foundation in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that began at Western Michigan University. John moved to Texas to enrich his expertise with a Master’s degree from the University of North Texas. His experience is vast and varied, covering clinics, worksites, schools, and home settings.

His strategy focuses on developing, transferring, and reinstating learners’ repertoires through environments that are not just nurturing but specifically adapted to meet individual needs. This bespoke approach ensures that every intervention is as effective as possible. John’s passion particularly shines when working with children, driven by the tangible, rapid progress and the profound reward of seeing their development.

Moreover, John’s practice is distinguished by his use of evidence-based methodologies and innovative techniques tailored to enhance learning and behavioral outcomes. His dedication to fostering significant improvements in his clients’ lives exemplifies his role as a pivotal figure in their journey to independence.

John will also be overseeing our students at Shine Behavioral Academy and working with our Principal and teaching staff to best support them from an ABA standpoint while in a learning environment.

Lead Speech Language Pathologist

Makaila Schmidt- M.S. CCC- SLP

Makaila is our dedicated Lead Speech Language Pathologist, she has a deep passion for working with children on the autism spectrum and comes to us with a wide variety of expertise in her field. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Arizona State University, where she developed a strong foundation in understanding communication disorders and their impact on individuals’ lives. Makaila furthered her career and earned a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University. Throughout her career, she gained invaluable knowledge and practical experience in diagnosing and treating various communication disorders including mixed receptive and expressive language disorder, social pragmatic disorder, feeding disorder, stuttering, articulation disorder, etc.

Speech Language Pathologist

Franky Gonzalez

Meet Franky, a Speech Language Pathologist at Shine. He has a passion for helping children, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), enhance their language skills. Franky previously worked in Language and Literacy camps and volunteered in events such as the Special Olympics. These experiences solidified his dedication to working with individuals with special needs, especially children. He attended Baylor University for both undergraduate and graduate studies. In 2021, Franky proudly graduated with a Masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders. Equipped with a profound understanding of language development and communication disorders, Franky also recognizes the importance of building trust and rapport with both children and their families to foster a supportive environment where growth and progress can flourish. His ultimate goal is not only to improve children’s language abilities but also to empower them to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.

Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Camille Blumberg

Hello! My name is Camille Blumberg and I am excited to be working at Shine Behavioral in the growing Speech pathology department!

I graduated from Texas Woman’s University in December of 2019 with my bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. I started working in the ABA field in 2017 where I found my passion in working with children on the Autism Spectrum. I continued to work in the ABA field for three years as an Registered Behavior Technician. I then combined my knowledge of working with the ASD population with my desire to pursue a career in Speech Pathology and transitioned to my future career as a Speech Therapist Assistant. I have enjoyed working with children in clinics, home health, and school settings. I am thrilled to be working at Shine with children and helping them reach their goals.

Speech Language Pathology Assistant

Taryn Ruiz

Meet Taryn Ruiz, a UNT graduate who obtained her degree in May of 2022 in the field of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology. While in school, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician for 3 years before transitioning into the role as a Speech Therapy Assistant to merge the two worlds of ABA and speech. Utilizing her education in articulation, pragmatic, and language disorders, Taryn finds great fulfillment in empowering those with communication difficulties in order for them to maximize their communicative abilities. She does so by approaching therapy enthusiastically while prioritizing a positive experience.

As an aspiring SLP, Taryn seeks to further develop her professional skills to help individuals of varying abilities to set goals and achieve them. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, reading, and exploring DFW.

If you ever have any questions or want to discuss your child’s progress or meet in person, please reach out!

Lead Occupational Therapist

Hannah Hardeman, OTD, OTR/L

Hello! My name is Hannah Hardeman and I am thrilled to work with the kids at Shine Behavioral and to be able to collaborate with their families to work towards their OT goals. I graduated and got my doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in Austin, Texas and completed my undergraduate degree in kinesiology at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. Before beginning grad school, I had the chance to teach at a preschool and really enjoyed the energy and personality of each individual child. During grad school, I worked at a preschool called Let It Shine in Austin, TX where the emphasis was children with various diagnoses, including autism. I enjoyed the experience in Austin because it gave me a chance to work with children who have varying needs and who are different ages.

I am excited to get to know the kids and to learn from them as well.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

Kimberly Johnston

Meet Kimberly. She has been a COTA since 2015 and has worked in a variety of settings. Kimberly has worked in school, home, and the clinic setting. In those settings working with the autistic population is where she has found her passion. She also loves being able to collaborate with other disciplines to build upon the therapy she provides as a COTA which is what she is most excited about working at Shine. Kimberly’s favorite aspect of her job is watching her clients learn and progress to master tasks that were previously difficult for them.

Telehealth BCBA

Lauren Furrow

My name is Lauren Furrow and I have been a BCBA since 2010. I have experience ranging from clinical supervisor through senior leadership as director of clinical excellence. I have also been both director and manager of training and onboarding programs within different sized organizations. These responsibilities have ranged from overseeing the development of policies, procedures and operational workflows for a department to overseeing a center-based ABA Day Program for children ages’ birth to six on the Autism Spectrum. At Shine Behavioral I am enjoying working as a clinical supervisor for my caseload of 7 clients while enjoying my free time with my husband and our three children. I have been a remote employee since January 2020 and have found it to be an excellent treatment modality for me.

I graduated with my M.A. in Clinical Psychology with specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2009 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and my B.S. in Psychology and Sociology from Western Michigan University in 2007. My clinical interests include fluency-based instruction, performance and self- management and designing effective instructional materials. Personally I enjoy being a Girl Scout leader as well as participating in my daughter and sons extra-curricular and academic endeavors.

Senior Program Manager

Chandler Van Beest

Meet Chandler, she holds her Bachelor of University Studies with an emphasis on Psychology and Education from the University of Mississippi. She has worked as a Registered Behavior Technician at Shine Behavioral since April of 2018 and previously worked with the autism population for two years prior to finding her way to us at Shine! Working with and supporting children with autism and their families is where Chandlers heart lies. She is inspired by our clients and wonderful BCBAs daily, which has driven her to further pursue her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis through Capella University to become a BCBA. Chandler supports our management team with all daily tasks in the clinic as well as manages Shine’s proprietary social skills curriculum and works with our kiddos to help develop the skills necessary for success in their everyday life. Chandler loves working with kiddos of all ages and looks forward to helping to develop a program for our older clients here at Shine as we continue to grow.

Program Manager

Shayla Wright

Meet Shayla, she has worked with children for over 10 years. From summer camps in high school, to becoming a site director in an after-school program, to a lead teacher in an Early Childhood Academy and holding several different titles there for over 5 years. In 2021 Shayla joined Shine and found her calling working with children ASD. She has always loved working with children, but the kids at Shine inspired her to go back to school and work to get ger BCBA certification. Shayla’s favorite part of working at Shine is building relationships with children and make improvements daily.

Program Manager

Danielle Brown

Meet Danielle, she has had an interest in educating children from an early age. Before joining our team at Shine Behavioral Danielle was employed as a Lead Teacher at an early childhood center for five years. Continuing her love for children, she then transitioned to the position as a teacher’s assistant at a local elementary school. Danielle realized her true passion was working with children on the autism spectrum when she moved to Shine. She started as a behavior therapist and quickly became a Registered Behavior Therapist in March of 2022. Danielles dedication and passion for ABA and for our population soon found her promoted to a Program Manager position on our management team! She enjoys welcoming the new therapists to the company as well as supporting them during training and then overseeing them as they continue to learn and grow by providing daily supervision and continued training. She also supports our BCBA’s as they implement and oversee client programming. Danielle’s favorite thing about working at Shine is seeing all our clients grow and supporting their families. During her free time Danielle enjoys spending time with her beautiful nine year old daughter, family and friends.

Program Manager

Jaylie Davis

Meet Jaylie, she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas State University in the Spring of 2022. Shortly after that, she started working as a therapist here at Shine and became an RBT. Jaylie always knew she wanted to work with children, but once she started working here at Shine, she found her passion. Jaylie is now pursuing a master’s degree to become a BCBA and has joined our management team as a daily support to our team of BCBA’s and to all of our therapists. As a Program Manager she is constantly training our team and supporting our clients growth! She loves being able to have such a huge impact on children’s daily lives. Jaylie’s favorite part about working at Shine is celebrating the children’s progress no matter how big or small.