Meet Our Staff

Kara is the lead BCBA with New Dawn ABA for the Kansas City area. She was born and raised in rural Kansas and has always had a passion for helping others. She has been active in the autism community in several different capacities for the past 18 years. Kara received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in Speech-Language-Hearing and worked as a SLP-A in rural communities for several years following. She also worked as a researcher for the University of Kansas for several years. Her research included language acquisition methods for non-vocal communicators with autism and the correlation between language acquisition and the reduction of socially significant maladaptive behaviors in children with ASD.   Kara received her master’s degree from the University of North Dakota in Special Education/ABA with a master’s certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Since then, she has worked in school, clinic, and in-home settings as a BCBA. She specializes in working with young non-vocal communicators and teaching them the necessary skills to become successful high-tech AAC users. She enjoys teaching direct service clinicians and providing hands-on training as often as possible.In her spare time, Kara enjoys spending time with her husband, young son, and rescue dogs. She fosters and volunteers for the Italian Greyhound Rescue Group and is dedicated to consistently growing professionally to ensure she is providing the most meaningful, assent-based ABA services possible. Her mission through New Dawn ABA is to provide the highest-quality, in-home ABA services across the Kansas City area.    

I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who partners with children and families to create meaningful, lasting change. My approach is compassionate, practical, and individualized to each family’s values and goals. I believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative and respectful, and when caregivers feel supported every step of the way. I have experience integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles and skills-based teaching into behavior services. This means I focus not only on reducing challenging behaviors, but also on building coping skills, emotional awareness, flexibility, and independence. I work closely with families to ensure strategies are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with what matters most to them.
My approach is holistic and family-centered. I look at the whole child within the context of their home, school, and community. Caregivers are active members of the treatment team, and I prioritize clear communication, education, and hands-on support so families feel confident implementing strategies outside of sessions.We will spend time getting to know your child’s strengths, challenges, and your goals as a family. Together, we will create a plan that is both evidence-based and practical for everyday life.

I’m Tiffany Crawford, a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), and I am passionate about helping individuals grow and gain independence through compassionate, evidence-based support. My work isn’t just about goals or data, but more importantly it’s about the people behind them. What I love most is celebrating the small but meaningful milestones, whether it’s learning a new skill, improving communication, or gaining confidence in everyday moments. Those “little wins” add up in powerful ways.

Danielle has always been deeply passionate about the field of mental health, with a strong commitment to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and neurological differences. She earned her first master’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology from King’s College London—internationally recognized as a global leader in these disciplines—while simultaneously competing at the highest level as a professional soccer player all around Europe, honing in on her discipline, resilience, and leadership skills. She later completed her second master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University, advancing her expertise in behavioral assessment, evidence-based intervention, and data-driven program development. Throughout her career, Danielle has worked with individuals across the lifespan—from 18 months to adults in their 50s—providing support during early intervention, school-age development, transitional years, and adulthood. She specializes in building meaningful communication, increasing functional independence, and implementing compassionate, trauma-informed and function-based behavior support across home, school, and community settings. Grounded in ethical practice and collaborative care, Danielle is committed to empowering families and creating sustainable, measurable progress that enhances quality of life.

I’m Margaret, and as the Operations Manager for the STL region, I’m on a mission to put the "human" back in behavioral health. My journey started seven years ago as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), where I quickly fell head-over-heels for the incredible Autism community.Working on the front lines, I realized that true progress requires more than just clinical data—it requires radical compassion. I became obsessed with the idea of building an ABA environment that doesn't just treat clients, but truly wraps its arms around their families, too.Today, I’m proud to help lead a space where "lifelong progress" isn't just a buzzword; it’s our daily reality. Whether I’m streamlining our local operations or fostering a supportive community for our parents, my goal is to ensure every family feels seen, heard, and championed.