The Picky Eaters’ Club
General Inquiries
The Picky Eaters’ Club
General Inquiries
About The Academy
What We Value:
FOUNDER'S STATEMENT:
We are a Christian founded and managed organization. As a result we operate on and highly value biblical truth. We seek to be pleasing to God, according to His Word, in all that we say and do. We live out this founding principle through our commitment to our core values.
Our Leadership Team
Lauren Abel, MS, BCBA, LBA / Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Lauren Abel has been helping individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other learning challenges since she was a teenager. She knew at a very young age that she was called to be an agent of positive change within the special needs community. Lauren founded The Next Step Academy (TNSA), a non-profit day-treatment center which serves individuals from birth into adulthood, with a variety of service offerings to help them and their families navigate Autism and other developmental and learning challenges. TNSA currently serves over 30 families and has helped hundreds of families since it opened in 2005.
Lauren is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and is licensed and certified in several other therapeutic modalities. She is always looking for innovative ways to help individuals who are struggling to unlock their potential and be their best selves.
Dilantha De Silva / Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Dilantha de Silva brings a wealth of experience in corporate leadership and international business strategy to his role as Chief Operating Officer at The Next Step Academy. With a background that includes serving as CEO of a Retail Pharmacy Chain and as COO of a Nutraceutical Manufacturer and international distributor, he has consistently demonstrated expertise in operational efficiency, market expansion, and strategic management.
Educated at Curtin University in Australia with a B. Com in Accounting, Dilantha possesses a deep understanding of effective management principles and global business dynamics. His tenures in Retail Pharmacy and Nutraceutical sectors has equipped him with insights into Healthcare market dynamics, regulatory compliance and effective distribution strategies across diverse markets.
Danielle T. Alexander, Psy.D, BCBA, LBA / Director of Psychological Services & The Picky Eaters Club
Dr. Danielle Alexander was strongly drawn to working with children during undergraduate study at the University of North Texas, after which she went on to earn her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, Florida). During her time at NSU, she specialized in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and working with children with developmental disorders. During pre- and post-doctoral fellowships at Johns Hopkins University, she pursued specialization working with children with severe behavior problems and feeding disorders. Since earning her Board Certification of Behavioral Analysis (BCBA) and psychology doctorate in 2016, she has worked with a neurodiverse population of children and adults in the states of Maryland and Florida to help unlock their potential.
Casey Spence, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA / Director of Severe & Challenging Behavior Dept.
Casey is passionate about unlocking potential in children and young adults with emotional and behavioral challenges. She specializes in reducing severe and problem behaviors by taking an individualized approach, as well as working with teams, teachers and families to build systems and supports that allow for maximum growth. Casey has a Masters in Special Education from Texas A&M University and is a licensed Behavior Analyst.
Since 2007 Casey has been dedicated to working with special populations in public schools and her community, supporting not only students, but also their families and teachers. At The Next Step Academy, she focuses on developing resources to support those with severe and challenging behaviors, expanding services to support emotional behavior needs and helping make our employees and team members the best they can be.
Emily Johnson - Clinical Coordinator
Emily knew early on that she had a passion for helping others unlock their potential. Throughout high school, she mentored students with developmental delays and behavioral issues. She began her career in helping others by working at a hospital designed specifically for special needs children and young adults. There, she worked closely with PT and OT, and was eventually introduced to Applied Behavior Analysis.
Ben Flores / Executive Assistant to CEO
Ben Flores has been working in the ABA field since 2005. He started as a behavior technician, and has since been involved in center based, in-home, shadowing, community outings, respite, research, management, and workshops. He loves helping children and families, and sharing those successes with the passionate people who make up this field. In his spare time, he likes taking his two dogs on long walks, and playing video games with his wife and 6-year-old daughter. He loves the opportunity to be with The Next Step Academy to continue servicing the community. As the Executive Assistant, Ben helps with onboarding new families, verifying insurance, recruiting, and scheduling at...
Kellyn Boyd, BCBA, LBA / Behavior Analyst
Kellyn is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) focusing on making meaningful changes in the lives of her clients and families. She began her career working with children and adults with special needs after graduating with her Masters degree in 2014. During this time, Kellyn found a passion working with children on the Autism Spectrum with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Kellyn became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2022. When not working, Kellyn enjoys spending time with her husband, taking walks with her dogs, reading, and cooking.
Jessenia Ryder, BCaBA, LaBA/ Assistant Behavior Analyst
Jessenia has always had a passion for teaching and for working with children. She has her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and has been a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) since February 2018. Jessenia is currently working on obtaining her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and has plans to pursue Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in the future. Jessenia has two dogs, Abby and Cali, who she adores! When she is not working or doing schoolwork she enjoys playing with her dogs, reading, and watching scary movies. Jessenia is passionate about helping unlock potential in children with Autism, and about helping her team grow to be the best...
Rachel Petmecky, BCaBA, LaBA/ Assistant Behavior Analyst
Rachel is a board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) that lives in Houston, TX with her husband and 2 cats. She attended Rice University as a member of the varsity women's soccer team, graduating in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. Immediately after graduating, Rachel began her career in ABA where she found her passion serving the autism community. After working as a therapist and trainer, she obtained her BCaBA in 2016. Her 9+ years in ABA has given her experience ranging from reducing and replacing an extensive variety of maladaptive behavior to providing diagnostic assessments across all ages.
Address: 5400 Mitchelldale St C1 Houston, Texas 77092 | Email: info@thenextstepacademy.org
The Picky Eaters’ Club: 281-609-7333 | General Inquiries: 281-715-2888
Office Hours: Mon – Fri 8 – 4 | Service Hours: Mon – Fri 8 – 6 • Sat 8 – 1
The Next Step Academy is a Program of A Future for All, Inc, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation Tax ID: 30-0448576
Founder's Statement
We are a Christian founded and managed organization. As a result we operate on and highly value biblical truth. We seek to be pleasing to God, according to His Word, in all that we say and do. We live out this founding principle through our commitment to our
core values.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Our Company is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment which is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of sex, gender, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws. The Company is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, and other compensation, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.