Stacey's GiveBIG 2026 Team

I co-founded NBA in 1999 with a vision: to help individuals with autism reach their full potential while working hand-in-hand with families to support that journey. More than 26 years later, I remain deeply committed to that mission—but the landscape around us has changed dramatically.

The rise of international certification, accreditation, and licensure has brought greater visibility to applied behavior analytic (ABA) intervention. While that visibility has helped elevate the field, it has also created new challenges. Insurance companies now play an outsized role in determining what is considered “clinically meaningful,” often limiting both the scope and duration of care.

Many insurers operate under the assumption that autism intervention should be short-term. They may deny services to individuals who don’t progress quickly enough—or, paradoxically, to those who make rapid gains but still need continued support to achieve long-term independence. These constraints make it increasingly difficult to provide the comprehensive, lifespan services our learners truly need.

At the same time, the cost of delivering high-quality care continues to rise, while reimbursement rates have remained largely stagnant. The result is a growing monthly deficit. Simply put, none of our funding sources fully cover the true cost of the services we provide.

NBA is proud to be the oldest ABA organization in the Pacific Northwest. For over 26 years, we have been dedicated to maximizing the potential of individuals with autism and related disorders through individualized, high-quality intervention—and to promoting awareness of autism and the science of human behavior within our community.

NBA has been my life’s work for nearly three decades. The learners and families we serve are not just clients—they are like family to me. I cannot imagine a world where NBA no longer exists. Yet, given today’s financial realities, that is a very real possibility.

To continue this work, we need your help.

Your donation will directly support the individuals and families who rely on NBA’s services. It will help ensure that we can continue to provide meaningful, life-changing care—without compromising on quality or access.

Please consider making a gift today and joining us in sustaining this vital mission.