“Developing confident families and confident clinicians gives me the greatest sense of satisfaction.”
Sara Rodden was 18 when she stepped into her first applied behavior analysis (ABA) role in a local school district. She had already spent time volunteering in a special education classroom, and she knew she wanted to stay in work that felt hands-on and personal. She liked being part of a child’s daily progress and enjoyed working alongside families and teachers to figure out what would actually help.
She never left the field. Over the next 20 years, Sara grew with Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST) from technician to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to Managing Behavior Analyst and now serves as the Community Director for the Orange County region. She oversees AST’s Social Skills Program, supports clinical teams, and helps coordinate care across home, school, and community settings.
Sara focuses on practical skills that carry into everyday life. She works closely with families so they feel steady and supported, and she mentors clinicians as they grow into confident leaders.