About Shine
Our Mission is to provide an inclusive environment where children with varied developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder can receive ABA and a wide range of additional therapies that are custom tailored to individual need. Through data and research based intervention, and with professionalism and compassion Shine illuminates the pathway to growth and development for children and their families, we strive to enrich lives and help children reach their full potential and ultimately to succeed.
At Shine we understand the need for a wide variety of therapies and the challenges this can present for parents when the therapies are not offered in one location. We want to make accessibility of services as convenient and stress free as possible which is why we offer ABA, Speech and a wide variety of other beneficial therapies such as occupational therapy focusing on fine motor skills, music and sensory integration therapies to improve social skills and decrease common behavioral concerns with autistic children and we do this all at one location!
We believe that providing that little bit of extra service and quality makes all the difference. We work with a special needs hair stylist monthly to come into the center and provide haircuts for our kiddos in an environment where they feel safe, provide respite aftercare for parents who work or need a little bit more time in the evening to pick up and offer a gym styled open playroom as well as specialized sensory room for generalizing therapy and getting much needed exercise as well as sensory input in a wide variety of ways throughout the day.
We work with children age 2-12 years of age.
Come on in for a visit and check us out!
CEO and Founder
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!
Senior BCBA
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.
BCBA, LBA
Mandaline Price
Hi, my name is Mandaline Price. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in 2020 in psychology from Oklahoma State University and my master’s degree in 2023 in applied behavior analysis practice from the Florida Institute of Technology. While pursuing my BCBA, I gained experience in clinical, in-home, and school settings. I absolutely love what I do and couldn’t see myself in another field. I love the relationships I build the parents and the kiddos. My passion is helping kiddos learn to communicate their wants/needs and reduce challenging behaviors. I fully believe all challenging behaviors are a form of communication. I am thankful to work for Shine!
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.
M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
Alexandria Salas
Hi, I am Alexandria Salas and I have been in the ABA field since 2017. I started working as a behavioral technician, transitioned to a RBT, a program manager, and finally a BCBA!
My first experience with ABA opened my eyes to a new career path I am passionate about. I completed my Masters in Special Education with a focus in ABA at Arizona State University. While I was completing my Masters, I gained further experience from my mentors that shaped me to become the BCBA I am today. I always try and place myself in my clients’ shoes to determine the path of my teaching style.
What I love most about ABA is being able to help my clients find their voice, whether that be with eye contact, pointing, signs, any type of communication. This is the most important stepping stone for them to reach their full potential.
BCBA, LBA
Ashlyn Bateman
Hi! I am Ashlyn Bateman, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas Tech University and a Master’s in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from Texas State University. I have always been deeply passionate about working with children, particularly those with autism. This passion began early, growing up with an older brother on the spectrum. Witnessing firsthand the challenges that families face inspired me to dedicate my career to providing meaningful support and guidance.
With over seven years of experience in the field of ABA, my journey started as a Registered Behavior Technician during my college summers, where I fell in love with the field. I have had the privilege of working in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and homes.
My passion is to empower my clients, helping them express their needs and gain independence. I also value collaboration with families and other professionals to ensure the highest quality care. My goal is to create an environment where my clients thrive and reach their full potential.
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.
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.
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.
Senior 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.
Music Therapist
Tanner Ledet, MT-BC
Meet Tanner Ledet- Shine Behavioral’s Music Therapist!
Tanner Ledet is a dedicated music therapist who obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Throughout his academic journey, Tanner demonstrates a deep commitment to utilizing music as a therapeutic tool to enhance the lives of individuals across various settings.
During his time at Texas Woman’s University, Tanner engaged in practicum experiences that encompassed a wide range of populations, including those affected by dementia/Alzheimer’s, individuals in educational settings, and those experiencing homelessness. These diverse experiences equipped Tanner with valuable skills and insights into the multifaceted benefits of music therapy.
Continuing to use music to help his clients, Tanner is dedicated to improving their lives through music therapy. With a holistic view and a sincere commitment to building connections, Tanner shows how music, combined with a caring approach, can promote healing, growth, and well-being.
In his free time Tanner loves to spend time growing his musical horizons along-side his dog Cooper and just generally being active!
Sensory Room
At Shine we recognize the need for individuals to have a safe and calming environment available when they need a break. Therapy is a lot for children to process and sometimes they need a change of pace. Our sensory room is designed to provide a secure fun environment to allow children to decompress and just be themselves. Through exploratory play at their own leisure therapists can learn what the child likes and does not like, what calms and what overstimulates. This is a specially designed room which combines a range of stimuli to help engage the senses. We provide a wide variety of materials such as lights, colors, sounds, sack swings, and sensory objects to touch and feel in many different textures. Sensory environments can be extremely comforting and calming for overactive or distressed children. With their sensory needs met they can have a more productive therapy session and overall de-escalation of problem behaviors throughout the day.
Gym Style Open Play Room
Our large open gym style play area incorporates a trampoline, platform swing and ball pit as well as a myriad of mats and toys that provide exercise. Physical activity is an important supplement to behavioral therapy, it’s a great way to integrate therapy with social skills such as sharing and turn taking and it also allows sensory seekers to take a break, let off some steam and get out some of that restless energy. Let’s face it every kid just wants to have fun and our open play room provides a safe and fun environment where kids can be kids while still being in a 1:1 setting with a trained behavioral therapist. After a break in the gym a child is more able to focus on their behavioral therapy and for children with a high level of energy and physical need this area allows us to shape this behavior into a more focused productive and positive way to play.
Outdoor Play Area
Another unique feature of Shine is our outdoor play area. All children have a need to “get the wiggles out” and in our ASD kiddos sometimes this need is even greater! Having the chance to get outside daily with their therapist in a safe environment is just another way we strive to shine and offer unique opportunities to generalize our ABA programs. This is another area to incorporate therapy, exercise and interaction which cuts back on problem behaviors and increases social skills. Come check it out!
Our Location
1205 B W Green Oaks Blvd
Arlington, Texas 76013
Phone: 817-457-3088
We are conveniently located in West Arlington, Texas.
Easily accessible from major highways I-30, I-20 and U.S. 287!
2.7 miles from I-30 | 4.2 miles from I-20 | 4.5 miles from U.S. 287
We work with children age 2-12 years of age.