Meet The Team
Meet Alyson Sibley, BCBA and co-founder of Starlight!
With experience in early childhood education and a background in psychology with concentration in childhood and adolescence, Alyson always planned to dedicate her time to teach and empower children with disabilities. She has conducted extensive research in Behavioral Skills Training (BST) and has experience in utilizing the principles of behavior to increase the acquisition of new skills, maintain established skills, and reduce maladaptive behaviors. Her experience spans various settings including in-home, community, clinic, therapeutic day schools, and public school environments.
Alyson’s patience, compassion, and thorough nature promote success for clients with a wide range of skill sets.
Meet Sarah Shams, BCBA and co-founder of Starlight!
Sarah has professional experience as an educator, primarily teaching psychology and social sciences in secondary education. During her graduate studies, she dedicated much of her research to feeding disorders and cultural competency.
Her clinical experience includes functional communication training, school readiness, and behavior reduction. Sarah believes that collaboration between families and support systems is one of the most important factors in producing meaningful change for clients. She remains observant and considers all factors when planning long-term goals, including cultural background, learning history, and environmental variables. She is dedicated to working with families and planning for her clients’ ultimate success.
Meet Ashley O’Leary
Ashley O’Leary is a Registered Behavior Technician and the Lead RBT & Office Manager at Starlight. Ashley began her journey in 2016 as an early childhood educator, where she quickly developed a passion for helping children reach developmental milestones. After several years as an early childhood educator, Ashley discovered Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and transitioned into becoming a behavior therapist where her passion for supporting children grew to include working with children with disabilities, meeting them where they are, and helping them progress toward their goals one step at a time.
Ashley finds immense joy in connecting with the individuals she works with and considers it a privilege to witness their growth each day. She takes great pride in making a meaningful impact on their lives and the lives of their families. Her long-term goal is to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and work in a school or clinic setting. She looks forward to seeing where this journey will lead.