Helping-Children-with-Autism-Build-Skills-for-Academic-Success

Helping you navigate the process

Helping Children with Autism Build Skills for Academic Success

Every child deserves the confidence to succeed in school. At Cardinal Pediatric Therapies, we help children with autism build the focus, communication, and learning habits that support academic success.

Through individualized ABA therapy services, our team strengthens pre-academic and classroom readiness skills in a positive, engaging environment.
Start building your child’s foundation for learning and independence today.
 Complete our intake form to get started.

Call 919-705-0668
Helping-Children-with-Autism-Build-Skills-for-Academic-Success

Guiding you through every stage

Why Academic Readiness Matters for Children with Autism


Early academic intervention can make all the difference in how children with autism experience school. ABA therapy for academic skills helps children feel more confident and capable in structured settings.

  • Improved focus, listening, and task completion
  • Stronger pre-reading, math, and fine motor skills
  • Enhanced adaptability to new routines and expectations
  • Reduced frustration during transitions or group activities
  • Increased independence and learning enjoyment

At Cardinal, we view academic readiness as part of whole-child growth, preparing your child not just for school, but for lifelong learning.

ABA-academic-success

Evidence-based strategies

How Cardinal Builds Academic Foundations

Our academic readiness programs blend proven ABA techniques with individualized learning goals. Each plan is guided by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and adjusted as your child progresses.

  • Step 1: Assessment & Goal Setting

Identify current skills, learning challenges, and focus areas.

  • Step 2: Structured Learning

Use evidence-based ABA methods to strengthen attention, comprehension, and motor coordination.

  • Step 3: Practice & Generalization

Reinforce new skills in clinic and at home for real-world consistency.

  • Step 4: Progress Review

Track measurable improvements and adjust strategies for continued growth.

Our in clinic ABA therapy offers structured focus, while in home ABA therapy helps apply skills to everyday routines. Every step is designed to prepare your child for success in the classroom and beyond.

Tailored support for each individual

Is This Program Right for Your Child?

This program supports children with autism who need help mastering learning, focus, or school-readiness skills.

Ideal for families who:

  • Have children ages 2–18 with learning or attention challenges
  • Want early academic intervention for smoother classroom transitions
  • Are seeking consistent support from ABA professionals
  • Value active parent collaboration through ABA parent training

The sooner skill-building begins, the stronger your child’s foundation for academic success.

Cardinal's

Locations

Arizona

Clinic Address:

8433 N. Black Canyon
Highway, Phoenix AZ 85021

Community Services in: Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Avondale, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, & Buckeye.

Directions

Contact Center

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North Carolina

Clinic Addresses:

956 W. Chatham
St. Cary, NC 27511

3911 Wrightsville Ave
Wilmington NC 28403

Community Services In: Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Morrisville, Clayton, Cleveland, Selma, Smithfield, Benson, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Kernersville, High Point, Four Oaks, Wilmington & Wilson Mills.

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Begin your journey with us

How to Get Started

Getting started with Cardinal Pediatric Therapies is simple and family-friendly.

  • Call 866-812-2030 or fill out our intake form
  • We verify insurance benefits and availability
  • Your child receives a BCBA-led assessment
  • Therapy begins with personalized academic goals and parent coaching

Take the first step toward your child’s confident school journey today. Start Intake or Call 866-812-2030.

Meet Our Qualified and Compassionate Team

Your child’s care is guided by compassionate experts who specialize in autism therapeutic services.

  • Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
  • Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)
  • Licensed Clinical Supervisors
  • Family Support Coordinators

We combine clinical excellence with empathy ensuring each child receives the structure, encouragement, and expertise needed to thrive academically.

Academic-Success-Autism

Understanding your coverage and costs

Insurance and Payment Options

We accept most insurance plans and offer flexible payment options. Our intake team is here to verify your benefits and help you navigate the process with ease.

"Alice, the chief of staff, is excellent. She answered many of my questions and concerns as a parent and has been a huge help in my son’s goals and programs. She clearly explained my son’s treatment plan and progress, and my son has already been improving within the first month." 
Cynthia
"We’ve been searching for ABA for a while, and then we found Cardinal ABA, who explained and processed our applications right away. Two weeks into ABA, we’ve already noticed improvements in our son. Thank you, Cardinal ABA."
Richard
"I’ve been calling around for weeks now looking for the right clinic, and Cardinal was the first place that really took the time to understand my family’s situation and educate me as to what services are available and how everything works. It is really evident that this is a place that cares."
Garret
"Cardinal ABA is a great organization. I couldn’t ask for better ABA resources!"
Shelby

Questions? Get in Touch!

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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.