compassionate ABA Therapy for a happy & independent life

Through modern Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Compassionate Therapy for Autism works with children ages 2-12 by offering a flexible approach that focuses on each child’s specific interests, strengths, and preferences for specialized methods of learning.

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Compassionate Therapy

Compassionate Therapy for Autism helps one child at a time! We are a private practice run by a behavior analyst (BCBA) with a PhD in Psychology, Roxana Zakhary, who has 20+ years of experience working with children with autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and ADHD. Roxana is neurodivergent herself and has received a diagnosis as ADHD as an adult. She understands sensory overload, processing difficulties, and hyperfocus. Each child and each family coming to us for services receives individualized attention, programming, and goals that are tailored to the their unique constellation of strengths and weaknesses. We collaborate with parents to determine what are their priorities for their children's learning and therapeutic intervention. Our practitioners address communication, academic, behavioral and social emotional challenges. Our approach is rooted in the principles and procedures of behavioral psychology. In working with children we combine structured, therapist-led methods with less structured, natural flow, child-led intervention strategies. We deliver these methods with compassion, flexibility, and wonder, to teach communication, social, and self-help skills.

Our Services

Therapy

In Home, or via Telehealth

We teach children ages 2-14 a wide array of skills, from communication, academic, and social skills to activities of daily living. The goals for teaching and the way therapy is conducted are determined after an initial assessment of skills, interview with the parents, and identification of each child’s learning style. We are also assisting students who are struggling with online learning by breaking down tasks in smaller steps, providing repeated practice outside of the online classroom, and bringing in exciting materials that provide an alternative way of learning. The teachers working at Compassionate Therapy for Autism are experienced in teaching students of different ages and abilities.

Social Skills

At Tabor Space

We are running a social skills group for children with ages 6-10 years old. The goal for our social skills group is to create a community for children who may struggle to connect with others, to make friends. We aim at achieving our goal by creating common experiences for our students through fun art projects, games, and play, while softly guiding them in these contexts to connect, communicate, and support each other. We keep our groups small, to a maximum of 5 participants to ensure that each student is attended to, encouraged, and valued for their unique strengths.

Parent Coaching

In-Home, or via Telehealth

Research shows that regardless of the hours of direct therapy a child receives, many of the gains made in therapy are not maintained and generalized if the child’s family does not apply certain fundamental behavior analytic procedures and principles. Parent coaching is provided through observations, modeling by the therapist or consultant, rehearsal by the parent, and feedback. A child on the spectrum benefits the most when everyone in their environment can use many every day activities as teachable moments and learns how to do this with patience and compassion, meeting the child exactly where they are.

Supervision

In-Home, or via Telehealth

Dr. Zakhary (Nedelcu) provides supervision to BCBA candidates, RBT’s and BCaBa professionals who are looking for a practicum placement to earn the experience required to become board certified behavior analysts. The supervision model Dr. Zakhary (Nedelcu) uses is based on the methods of Behavior Skills Training and involve both direct (working directly with the supervisee and their clients) and indirect supervision (meeting to discuss principles, and procedures, client’s progress, team coordination etc)

Workshops & Education

In-Home, or via Telehealth

Dr. Zakhary (Nedelcu) is passionate about helping children with autism and their families access the best treatment model, and learn what to expect in the process. Dr. Zakhary (Nedelcu) is also passionate about the procedures and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and likes to explain what ABA is in plain language for community events, schools, and other places where a community gathers. Dr Zakhary (Nedelcu) did a presentation at Sellwood Community House on Effective Communication and Learning Strategies Based in ABA. Dr. Zakhary (Nedelcu) has also been accredited by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board to present continuing education events on advanced topics in behavior analysis. Dr. Zakhary (Nedelcu) presented a continuing education event on supervision at the annual conference in behavior analysis (October, 2019) held by Oregon Association for Behavior Analysis.

Consultation

In-Home, or via Telehealth

Consultation is provided to specific children who might not need a comprehensive treatment but require focused behavioral and developmentally tailored interventions to address behavior problems. The consultation model involves working directly with the child’s parents, his or her teachers, and other caregivers who are part of the child’s every day life.

What Our Clients Say

I met Dr. Zakhary in NYC when I was looking for a supervisor to help me complete my fieldwork experience and hone my skills as a future BCBA. Dr. Zakhary was instrumental in helping me develop my skills as a behavior analyst. She has a wealth of knowledge about the field. As my supervisor for over two years, I found that she was able to offer perspective, constructive feedback, and thoughtful guidance.

Laura Hirst, MA

Westbury, NY

Dr. Zakhary and I worked together in New York City while I was completing my doctoral studies. Dr. Zakhary is a passionate, skillful, and caring therapist and supervisor. She helped me build a foundation as a behavior analyst working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her knowledge and experience are a treasure to both the ones she serves and to the field of ABA.

Sho Araiba, Ph.D

Honolulu, HI

Dr. Zakhary was my son’s BCBA and oversaw a team of ABA therapists in Brooklyn, NY before moving to Portland. In addition to working directly with him and the team she also provided invaluable parent training to me and my wife. Dr. Zakhary carefully designed programs specifically to fit my son’s needs, which she constantly updated to keep pushing him towards maximum improvement and independence. Dr. Zakhary also attended several school tours with my wife and I to ensure that we found the environment best suited for his needs and she communicated frequently with his school and service providers. Dr. Zakhary has a wealth of knowledge and experience working with ASD children and is both thorough and compassionate. I highly recommend her.

Peter Herold

Brooklyn, NY

We met Roxana in New York City. She came into our lives as we were beginning to deal with our son’s diagnosis. He was 3 years old at the time. It was clear from the first day we met her that we had found an invaluable resource for him, as well as for us as a family. Roxana provided parent training, became a liaison with his teachers, and helped us identify and advocate for what he needed to reach his full potential. She was wonderful with our son: consistent, while at the same time flexible and nurturing. He is now 6 years old and has grown and developed beyond our expectations thanks to her in all areas: cognitive, emotional, physical, and relational. I think she is an outstanding professional . As a family we will be forever grateful for her work with us.

Parent

Manhattan, NY

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To make an appointment, please contact me via the online form, email, or by phone.

Appointments

Accepted Insurance

  • Moda
  • Providence
  • Pacific Source
  • BCBS Of Or and WA
  • OHP