ABA Therapy in Farmington, CT
Evidence-based ABA and early intervention services for children with autism
A Farmington clinic built for learning, comfort, and care
- Families choosing CCSN Farmington can expect:
- Accessible location: Directly across from UConn Health Center and easy to reach for families throughout Farmington and nearby communities
- Purposeful clinic design: A bright, open setting with dedicated areas for individual and group treatment
- Indoor motor space: A year-round space where children can build skills through movement, play, and structured interaction
- Clinician-led care: Evidence-based ABA therapy services in Farmington guided by experienced professionals
- Individualized support: Treatment plans shaped around each child’s strengths, goals, and developmental needs
- Consistent CCSN standards: The same trusted approach families expect from CCSN’s autism care programs
Care options available at CCSN Farmington
ABA Therapy
Our ABA therapy for children in Farmington uses evidence-based strategies to teach practical skills for communication, routines, behavior, learning, and independence.
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Diagnostic & Psychological Evaluations
Families can begin with diagnostic evaluations that clarify developmental concerns, identify strengths and challenges, and provide recommendations for treatment, school support, or additional services.
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Speech-Language Therapy
Speech and language services at Farmington focus on communication skills your child uses every day, including understanding language, expressing needs, and participating in social interactions.
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Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy at Farmington supports movement, sensory processing, self-care, and daily routines so children can participate more comfortably at home, at school, and in the clinic.
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Clinical leadership
Emily Brown, OTR/L
OT Site Lead
Rachel Schaaff, MEd, BCBA
ABA Clinic Coordinator
Rachel is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in our Farmington clinic with over a decade of experience dedicated to helping individuals reach their full potential. With a strong foundation in Early Childhood Special Education, Rachel transitioned her career to focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in 2018. She holds a Master of Science in Education in Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education from Hofstra University, along with an Advanced Certificate in ABA from the same institution.
Within the field of ABA, Rachel has worked in various settings, including in-home and clinic-based environments. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work with individuals ranging from 2 to 17 years old, adapting her approach to meet their unique needs.
Rachel’s core belief is in the effectiveness of early intensive behavioral interventions. She places a strong emphasis on skill acquisition in her treatment plans and implements evidence-based interventions to optimize the success of learners and their families across environments.
Committed to staying current with the latest research and best practices, Rachel collaborates closely with families, educators, and professionals to create comprehensive and effective behavior intervention plans. She now applies her wealth of knowledge and experience at the CCSN Behavioral Health ABA Clinic, where she continues her mission to transform lives across the lifespan of individuals with ASD.
Khrysta Ortiz, MS, BCBA
ABA Clinic Coordinator
Khrysta Ortiz is a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN). She acquired her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut and earned her Master of Science in Behavior Analysis from the highly respected behavior analysis program at Simmons University in Boston, MA.
Khrysta specializes in providing socially valid outpatient treatment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related neurodevelopmental disorders. She prides herself on being a dedicated, compassionate and patient-focused clinician. Khrysta’s clinical experience includes years of working with patients and families with diverse needs in applied settings such as clinic, in-home and school-based environments. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work with individuals ranging from 2 to 17 years old, adapting her approach to meet their unique individual needs. Additionally, she has a strong background in providing professional development and support to clinical staff and is committed to both teaching and learning. Khrysta’s professional interests include compassionate-focused applied behavior analysis, trauma-informed care, early behavioral intervention, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Lauren Balboni
SLP Site Lead
Lauren Balboni, M.S. CCC-SLP, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Department Site Lead in Farmington with over 10 years of experience supporting children and families across a variety of clinical and educational settings.
Lauren earned her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Murray State University and her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University. Her professional experience spans early intervention, school-based services, and clinic-based care, allowing her to adapt her clinical approach to meet the individualized needs of clients aged 1 to 16 years old.
Clinically, Lauren’s areas of focus include early language development, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), pragmatic language, articulation and phonological disorders, and Gestalt Language Processing (GLP). She is deeply committed to neuro-affirming, child-led, and play-based practices, integrating holistic and naturalistic approaches that honor each child’s unique communication style, strengths, and developmental trajectory.
Lauren provides evidence-based intervention and remains dedicated to ongoing professional growth by staying current with research and best practices in the field. In her work, she partners closely with families, educators, and interdisciplinary team members to ensure that communication strategies are consistent, functional, and supportive across settings and communication partners. Everyday environments and situations play a vital role in her treatment philosophy, as she believes meaningful progress occurs when skills are embedded into daily routines and authentic interactions.
In her current role as Farmington Site Lead, Lauren provides supervision, mentorship, and clinical support to speech-language pathologists and staff across the campus. She applies her clinical expertise and leadership experience to foster high-quality service delivery, collaborative team culture, and thoughtful clinical decision-making. Through her work at CCSN, Lauren remains committed to empowering children to communicate effectively and confidently while supporting families every step of the way.
Nicole Garmer, M.Ed, BCBA,LBA
ABA Clinic Director
Nicole Garmer is the Program Director of the ABA Clinic in CCSN’s Farmington location. She received her master’s degree in special education, as well as her teaching certifications for Special Education and then General Education with advanced standing K-12. During her undergrad, she studied Child and Youth Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Sciences. Nicole has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for 20+ years providing in home behavioral supports, school-based consultations, center and community- based services, residential school, group home and Extended School year services to individuals with a wide range of ages and intellectual and developmental abilities. Additionally, Nicole has experience providing staff, community, and parent trainings. Prior to working at CCSN, she worked at a private school for individuals on the ASD spectrum, ages 3-21 years, providing support to BCBAs, teachers, teaching assistants and parents throughout the IEP and functional behavioral process. For many years Nicole enjoyed being a Special Olympics coach for winter, spring and summer games. Her professional interests include advocacy for families within multiple settings to provide comprehensive treatments, experimental behavior analysis, teaching of de-escalation, desensitizing and self- coping skills, as well as developing curriculum review and procedural protocols. She is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and Behavior Analyst Leadership Council (BALC).
Check availability in Farmington
Have questions about availability and autism treatment in Farmington? Fill out the form below and reach out to our team.
We are located at 270 Farmington Ave, directly across from UConn Health Center.
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