ABA Alumni Spotlight - Ariellah Haynes

April 23, 2021 | Heather Fletcher

Ariellah Haynes, BCBA, is the Founder and Clinical Director of Socialights Behavior Services. 

Ariellah started her Master’s in Exceptional Student Education at UWF with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis after her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

She says it was fascinating to witness the progress her son made after they began ABA therapy, and they started changing their parenting styles. Her son, who was not vocal or eating at the time, is now tall, healthy, and speaking. “…Sometimes even so much I don’t think he realizes he is only nine years old,” she adds with a laugh.  

Ariellah is passionate about driving behavior change and involving parents in the important, hands-on role of supporting their child’s progress and development. 

She completed her coursework online through UWF while juggling a full-time job and family responsibilities. Ariellah credits the “truly outstanding instructors” at UWF for a great experience with amazing support and guidance throughout graduate school and beyond. 

In the future, Ariellah and her family plan to relocate to Mauritius and open a clinic to deliver ABA services to an area where these kinds of services are not readily available. 

“I would recommend ABA to people who truly have a love and desire to help people. You have to be okay with working with people through difficult situations, and comfortable with getting down and dirty to help children and adults with disabilities.”

Her biggest piece of advice for future ABA practitioners? “Listen to your gut and don’t give up.”