BEHAVIORALLY: EMPOWERING CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
By Harrison J. Bahe
On April 23, 2026, I was invited to visit BehaviorAlly in Fountain Hills, a facility that provides in-home and clinic-based one-on-one therapy services for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
Upon entering the building, the environment immediately resembled a school setting, complete with interactive play areas designed to mirror real-life environments, such as a grocery store. At the center of the facility is a large main room surrounded by several specialized therapy spaces, including a playroom, art room, and nap room. These rooms allow therapists and teachers to implement a variety of structured and play-based teaching methods, including Natural Environment Training (NET), incidental teaching, direct instruction, Pivotal Response Training (PRT), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), and Behavior Skills Training (BST).
While the facility works extensively with children diagnosed with autism, it also supports children experiencing developmental delays. Behavior analysis therapy addresses a broad range of developmental domains, from expressive and receptive communication to social interaction and adaptive life skills. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is widely recognized as the leading research-based methodology scientifically proven to create positive, meaningful behavioral changes in individuals with autism and related disorders. ABA therapy programs often focus on communication and language development, adaptive and daily living skills, executive functioning, school readiness, play and leisure skills, social development, coping and tolerance skills, behavior management, fine and gross motor skills, self-regulation, self-management, and self-advocacy.
BehaviorAlly’s mission is to help children reach important developmental milestones as early as possible. Founder Allyson Perreault explained,
“The earlier that we can get to these kids and teach them these skills that they may have deficits in, the more likely they’re not going to need significant services later on in life.”
Allyson Perreault is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in Arizona. After working in IT consulting and management for many years, Perreault became immersed in the ABA field when her son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the age of 4. Her initial training in ABA was at the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC) in Phoenix, AZ. This led her to become active in the ASD community by creating a local parent support group, advocating for services, and facilitating social skills groups. Inspired by how impactful ABA was on her son and family, she attained her M.A. in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. She received her clinical training with leading clinicians specializing in ASD in Seattle, WA.
BehaviorAlly provides individualized, high-quality, evidence-based treatment focused on skill acquisition and increasing positive, socially significant behaviors while promoting independence and self-advocacy. The organization also collaborates closely with the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), which provides services and support for children ages 0–3 who may be experiencing developmental delays, helping families access intervention services as early as possible. Many of the children currently attending the facility are up to seven years old, with more than 50 staff members providing one-on-one support. BehaviorAlly specializes in areas including Applied Behavior Analysis, Certified PEERS Social Skills Training, Certified Safety-Care Crisis Prevention Training, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), Verbal Behavior Training, and Certified Practical Functional Assessment/Skill-Based Treatment (PFA/SBT).
By mid-July, BehaviorAlly plans to relocate to the Little Falcons school campus, where a significantly larger space will allow the organization to expand its services. The facility currently serves communities throughout the northeast Valley of the greater Phoenix area, including Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Rio Verde, Mesa, and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. They currently accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, AHCCCS (Medicaid), Mercy Care, and Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funding.
For more information about BehaviorAlly and its services, visit BehaviorAlly’s official website or call (480) 907-3350.
