Celebrating Women’s Contributions to ABA and Beyond
March is National Women’s History Month, a time to honor the achievements of women across all fields, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This month highlights the remarkable women whose research, advocacy, and dedication have shaped ABA into the evidence-based practice it is today. Here are some of the most notable women, both historically and in the present day, who have left their mark on ABA: Linda LeBlanc, Portia James, Tyra Sellers, and Devon Sundberg.
Dr. Linda LeBlanc
Dr. LeBlanc, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is a licensed psychologist and president of LeBlanc Behavioral Consulting. She has held academic and leadership roles, authored over 100 publications, and received the APA’s Nathan H. Azrin Award for Distinguished Contribution in ABA. Her work continues to drive progress in the field.
Portia James
A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) specialist, Portia James is the founder of Behavior Genius® and co-founder of Genius Operations
. She is a passionate advocate for inclusive workplaces and published Radical OBM in 2023 to promote healthier work environments.
Dr. Tyra Sellers
Dr. Sellers, CEO of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, has over 30 years of experience in ABA. With expertise in ethics, supervision, and severe problem behavior, she has held academic and leadership positions, authored multiple publications, and actively mentors’ future ABA professionals.
Devon Sundberg
Co-founder of the Behavior Analysis Center for Autism (BACA) and founder of the Women in Behavior Analysis conference, Devon Sundberg has been a key advocate for gender equity in ABA, shaping the future of the field through leadership and education.
Beyond professionals in ABA, women diagnosed with autism have also contributed significantly to awareness and advocacy:
Temple Grandin
A professor of animal science and author, she has revolutionized autism awareness and animal behavior research.
Breanna Clark
A Paralympic gold medalist, she represents athletes with autism on the global stage and advocates for inclusion.
Greta Thunberg
A globally recognized climate activist, she embraces her autism as a “superpower” and promotes awareness and acceptance.
Women have been instrumental in shaping ABA, breaking barriers, expanding research, and inspiring future generations. Their dedication ensures that behavior analysis remains a growing and impactful field.
Special thanks to Kind Behavioral Health’s Kimberley Curry, MS, BCBA, LBA for researching and authoring this article.
Kind Behavioral Health offers specialized ABA programs for young learners.
Our programs for children aged 1-7 aim to build skills they will need to succeed in all areas of their life. By learning to effectively communicate their wants and needs, engage in social and play activities they find enjoyable, and adapt to everyday tasks, adverse behaviors may be prevented, while children experience meaningful participation with their families, their communities, and in their schools.
The Classroom Readiness Program (CRP), specifically, is a daily, clinic-based program that takes place daily in a classroom-like setting and aims to teach children the skills they will need to access learning opportunities in their community Kindergarten placement.
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