cardinal early intervention

Compassionate Care for Growing Futures

Cardinal Pediatric Services

Learn more about our ABA services and programs for In-Home ABA Therapy, In-Clinic ABA Therapy & Parent Coaching in Arizona & North Carolina.

Find Clinic Locations
cardinal early intervention

About Our

Autism Services

At The Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, it’s our mission to foster a positive, engaging learning environment that meets the exceptional needs of children with autism. Our highly trained and enthusiastic team is made up of behavior specialists who engage your child in fun, age-appropriate activities to help them develop the skills they need to thrive and to adapt to new situations in and out of the clinic.

Each of our treatment programs are tailored to the specific needs of your child to best help them learn. We involve you every step of the way because we want to see both you and your child succeed.

Learn More

About our programs

Serving a diverse community of families, each with their own specific needs, drives us to offer the best variety of ABA programs in North Carolina & Arizona.

North Carolina
Arizona

Healing at Home

In-Home Therapy

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy has been considered the “gold standard” of treatment for children with autism for decades, and we’re proud to bring this service directly to you in Arizona & North Carolina, thanks to individualized in-home ABA therapy! This service lets us see and treat your child on their terms, in a space they already trust, often leading to stronger connections earlier.

Learn More

Skills for Confident Parenting

Parent Coaching

Our parent coaching program focuses on teaching basic skills, including behavioral management techniques, language development, antecedent interventions, identifying preferences and motivation, as well as more focused topics based on feedback from group members. Sessions are run by board-certified behavior analysts.

Learn More

Building Stronger Families, Together

Group Family Coaching

Our Group Family Coaching program provides families with the necessary skills and strategies to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental challenges. Through interactive sessions, Cardinal ABA’s experienced professionals empower families by equipping them with practical tools to enhance communication, promote positive behaviors, and foster meaningful connections. This service fosters a stronger and more resilient family unit, navigating the challenges of ASD with individualized care and comprehensive support.

Learn More

Focused ABA Therapy in a Clinical Setting

In-Clinic ABA Therapy

Empower your child for classroom success with in-clinic 1:1 group setting ABA therapy. Our specialized program focuses on developing essential skills and promoting independence. From communication and social interactions to self-regulation and academic readiness, we provide tailored interventions to enhance classroom preparedness. Let our dedicated therapists support your child’s growth and help them thrive in their educational journey. This is only offered in North Carolina.

Learn More

Cardinal ABA Program

Individual ABA Therapy

Our individual ABA therapy sessions are programmed and monitored by a highly qualified Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) after your child’s initial assessment. During therapy sessions, a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) will target customized goals for skill acquisition and behavior management by isolating negative behavior to encourage positive behavior alternatives.

At The Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, we offer services through individual therapy at our center or in your home depending on your child’s individual needs and goals. As a parent, you will receive parent coaching designed to teach strategies to help you guide your child to be successful at home.

Contact Us

Academic Classroom Program

Classroom Academics

Our Academic Classroom Program is designed for children who are effective and independent communicators; will initiate play with their peers independently or with minimal prompting; are able to follow 2-3 step instructions; and have limited unwanted behaviors.(Our individual ABA therapy or group ABA therapy programs are a great place to start if your child hasn’t yet hit these targets!)

Academic Classroom Program sessions consist of classroom readiness groups with a maximum of ten children in each class, and it’s a private pay program, which means it’s not funded through your insurance. Classes take place at our clinic from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, five days per week.

Like with our individual and group therapy programs, every child’s plan will take into consideration their individual and functional needs, as well as their age, goals, and the specific classroom setting they’re transitioning into.

During our first meeting with your child, one of our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) will conduct their initial assessment and use that to create a diagnostic report that will determine our clinical recommendations and determine if ABA services in the classroom will benefit your child.

Depending on the outcome of this, we’ll decide if your child could participate in the classroom setting independently, with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) supervising, or one-on-one with an RBT. As a parent, you’ll receive a detailed monthly report, along with tips to help you support your child as they learn outside our “classroom.”

Find out More

Improving the Skills Needed

For Your family to thrive

Language & communication

Attention & Learning

Social Skills

Behavior Improvement

Daily Living Skills

Motor Skills

Play Skills

Academic Success

Start Improving these Skills

Full-Spectrum Family Assistance

Family Services

What sets us apart is the level of communication, collaboration, and programming we offer to support both your child and your family as a whole, helping you navigate everything from classroom transitions and relationships with other behavioral health professionals. Additional family ABA services include:

Parent Night Out Events

Once every quarter, we plan a Parent’s Night Out for the parents of Cardinal children. We’ll provide childcare in the indoor playground on the first floor of our center, and parents are encouraged to mingle on the second floor.

This is a less formal gathering than our Parent Support Group in that there’s no planned discussion, because we know as well as you do that sometimes, you just need the night off. You can trust that your children are in good hands, so relax and have a good time!

Parent Support Group

In our Parent Support Group, you’ll have a chance to sit down with other parents of children with autism, and we’ll provide free childcare for your Cardinal child and their siblings for the length of the meeting.

Our Family Resource Coordinator will facilitate parent-led discussions with meaningful topics that are relevant to your life and your family, enabling you to make lasting connections and friendships with other parents in a similar situation to your own.

Sibling Support Group

Our Sibling Support Group is designed for ages 8-13 and allows the siblings of children with autism to come together and meet others who share their experiences.

Our Family Resource Coordinator supervises the siblings in engaging, age-appropriate activities, so they’ll have the opportunity to meet kids in similar situations and have fun doing so! These groups are open to siblings of Cardinal clients and to the public.

Connect with Us

Questions? Get in Touch!

We're here to help

Service Needs(Required)
Diagnosis(Required)
Consent(Required)
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden

Dr. Mike Henderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA

Regional Operations Director

North Carolina

Mike Henderson, PhD, LBA, BCBA-D, is the Regional Operations Director at Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. With over two decades of experience in behavior analysis and organizational leadership, he focuses on mentoring teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and excellence in client care. Mike believes strong leadership and supportive systems are essential for helping clients, families, and providers succeed together.

Felicia Freeman

Clinic Manager

I am Felicia Freeman, the Clinic Manager for Cardinal Pediatric Therapies. I have been in ABA for several years now and am passionate about the community that we serve. I started out as an RBT, decided to go the administrative route, and worked my way up to managing clinics. I choose this field every day because I enjoy making a meaningful impact in the lives of our clients and building strong teams that change lives.

Amanda Dean, MA, BCBA, LBA

Johnston County, NC

Amanda graduated from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2018 with her Masters in Psychology. She proceeded to complete her graduate certificate in ABA and became a BCBA in November 2020. Amanda has a passion for behavior reduction, tolerance training and functional communication training. She enjoys spending as much time as she can with her 3 children and husband. When she’s not working, Amanda is very involved in her local Pop Warner Cheerleading program where she is the Assistant Cheer Director and a head coach.

Becky Fronheiser

Operations Director

Arizona

Becky has worked in behavioral health for 7 years. She joined Cardinal in the spring of 2024.  Becky is grateful for the opportunity to work with such a passionate group of people and looks forward to supporting families with their specific ABA needs.  In her personal time, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, 6 kids and 4 grandkids and loves to travel and relax on the beach.

Matthew Wilkinson

Operations Director

Cary, NC

Matthew holds a bachelors degree from the University of Utah, Medical Degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara and an MBA from Western Governors University. He has worked in the pediatric field for the majority of his professional life and has a passion for helping bring the best care to children in need. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children and day trips to the coast.

 

Trisha Iannotta Bieszczad, PsyD., BCBA

Triad, NC

Trisha is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive expertise since 2016 in applying behavior analytic principles to improve the lives of children and adolescents. Her professional journey began with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, emphasizing child and adolescent development. This foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of psychological theories and practices, which she seamlessly integrates into her work as a BCBA. Outside of her professional endeavors, Trisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors with her family & trying out new restaurants. Trisha’s dedication to both her career and personal interests reflects her commitment to continual growth and enrichment, both professionally and personally. Her multifaceted background allows her to approach each aspect of her life with a blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and a genuine appreciation for learning and exploration.

Tina Lee

Director of Finance

Tina Lee is the Finance Director for Cardinal with a variety of experience in the Healthcare Industry for over 13 years. She is compassionate and always eager to assist where she can. In the ever-changing Healthcare environment, Tina has played a vital role in putting processes in place to obtain high efficiency outcomes to help our clients get the care they need. Tina enjoys the outdoors and loves spending time with her family.

William Evans

Director of Outreach and Recruitment

William is a UNCW Graduate who started his professional career working in Marketing and Recruiting for a local technology company before looking for an opportunity to take those skills and help others. In his spare time he plays hockey, including annually for the North Carolina Autism Hockey Tournament, which is dedicated to the raising money and awareness for organizations helping local families with children diagnosed with autism.

Alice Okamoto, MA, BCBA, LBA

Chief of Staff

Alice has been with Cardinal for over 4 years and has worn many hats along the way!  Alice has a passion for working with clients and families as a unit, supervising behavior analyst trainees, and collaborating on strategic initiatives to ensure clinical efficiencies.  Alice‘s professional experience began with ABA in a school setting, and has worked in schools, homes, and clinics throughout the years while enjoying collaboration with related providers.  In her free time, Alice enjoys traveling, exploring parks with her dog, Oliver, and trying new restaurants. 

Darrin Miller

CEO

Darrin has dedicated his education and career to the field of behavioral health. As a licensed therapist and master’s in clinical counseling he works to create solutions that improve the lives of those impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder at a local, state, and national level. He strives to create a culture of caring and empathy while innovating solutions for improving families’ access to quality care as quickly as possible.