Hidden Gems: Meet Nora Coyle of Achieve Together Behavior Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nora Coyle.

Hi Nora, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was a first year teacher in Colorado in 2005 and met a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) who was providing therapy at home after school. She taught me how to support him better in the classroom using ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy. After that, I was hooked. I set my sights on becoming a BCBA that year. After getting my masters in early childhood special education, I joined the Distance Learning program at Penn State and in 2009 I became a BCBA and opened up my own business, Achieve Together Behavior Services. I worked in familys’ homes and contracted with a clinic in the Dayton area for 5 years. In 2015, I decided to add employees. I built my business up for 3 years by hiring 6 behavior technicians and then opened a clinic in May of 2018. By 2021 I moved us out of our 2500 square foot space into a 6500 space and 25 staff. We started with direct therapy and eventually added Learning Pods (alternative to public school) and social groups.

I somehow managed to do this with no debt!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely struggled along the way. My communication skills were very poor for the first few years, which lead to employee dissatisfaction and high turnover. In an effort to improve their experience and protect myself, I started studying Nonviolent Communication, sought help from industry leaders and took a Leadership Effectiveness Training course. I applied all the tools I learned and created an empathetic work environment. Now, turn over is lower than the industry average, and employees report higher work satisfaction.

I am also well aware of my weaknesses. I do not have the best organization skills and lack attention to detail where it matters most. In an effort to grow comfortably and effectively, I hired people to take over these roles for me and have empathetic leadership skills. Without these people, I would never be where I am now.

2020 was obviously a tough year, but 2021 and 2022 proved harder. ABA is a young field and business leaders all over the country were having to figure out how to meet the growing demand and higher expectations behavior technicians had for their roles. This took several years to figure out and I worked 50-60 hours a week making less than my lowest paid employee, but I figured it out and the buisiness is stronger than it has ever been.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Achieve Together Behavior Services is unlike most ABA clinics. We take client dignity and neuroaffirming care very seriously. Staff are trained annually, provided ongoing feedback and model how to do so by all of leadership. The most important part of our day is that kids show up and feel safe to be who they are. This expectation extends beyond what the kids experience when they are in therapy, but in how we speak about them when they are not present. We are not interested in changing them, but helping them grow into the best version of themselves. Our behavior plans are focused on what drives our kids to do better and empower them. We want them to walk out of our clinic knowing what it feels like to be valued, respected and empowered so they will recognize it in their lives and their community.

The focus is on teaching skills in the natural environment and through play versus the standard discrete trial (or table work) that most organizations offer. We want kids to truly learn the skill and use it in their everyday lives.

Our social groups are built differently as well. We do not follow a curriculum. We create a space the kids want to be apart of, build activities around their interests, so we can foster an environment where they can make connections with their peers with or without our support.

Our Learning Pods are built around the kids. Each group has same age peers and abilities to build friendships and excel academically. We focus on reading, writing, math, life skills and working together as a group.

Our values are what I am most proud of because we stick to them. Everyone takes them very seriously because it’s what’s best for the kids. I wrote our mission statement in 2009 and it has been the driving force ever since.

Acceptance: We serve individuals of many ages, facing many different life challenges, and we strive to help every individual with empathy and compassion.
Growth and Development: We believe in allowing an individual to naturally become greater over time through learning new skills to help navigated the world.
Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest moral and ethical standards. We believe in honesty and transparency. We believe in always doing what is right even when no one is looking.
Compassion: We believe in focusing on the care of others to meet their needs in a considerate, sympathetic, professional and tender manner.
Dignity and Respect: We believe in the inherent dignity of every individual. We respect every person’s dream and aspirations. We honor every person’s ability and limitations without compromising who they are.
Celebration: We celebrate neurodiversity by accepting each individual as they are and by respecting the unique perspective each person can give.

What does success mean to you?
Whatever you are doing, it must add value to your community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://achievetogetherllc.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZBbB-jTMio&t=6s