Welcome

About Us

We provide Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) for autism support:


We are a “H.U.M.A.N.” first company. We put personal growth first, for both our clients and our staff.

Mission:

To improve the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities through personalized, effective, ethical services and compassionate care.

Our Values

Our values define what we believe, who we are, and how we practice. They guide our mission to create meaningful and positive changes in the lives of individuals with special needs.

Honesty –  We practice with integrity, build genuine relationships, and use data to drive decision-making objectively.

Usefulness – We are a BCBA-owned organization. We target long-lasting functional skills and aim for socially significant outcomes. We aspire to maximizing opportunities for individuals with special needs to integrate into society. 

Motivation – We are committed to providing a positive learning experience. We emphasize high engagement, relationship-building, and empowering individuals. 

Accountability – We hold ourselves accountable, dedicate ourselves to high quality service, and strive for superior clinical outcomes. 

Nurturing – We are passionate about the growth of the clients, the families we serve and the staff we work with. We invest in staff developing, team-building, and an inclusive and friendly work environment.

What We Offer


We provide comprehensive support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, from age 2 to age 21. Individualized service includes but not limited to:


Meet the Leadership Team

Dion Luo, BCBA, Founder


           Shengzhan "Dion" Luo is a  Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) passionate for making a real difference in the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental neurodiversity. With over a decade of experience in supporting children with autism, and as a parent of a double exceptional child, Dion’s mission is to empower and inspire those he works with to reach their fullest potential.

         Dion received his Master degree in Special Education from the University of George Mason, and became a BCBA in March 2017. Dion has served many children with autism in different settings, including home, community and clinics.  

         Prior to becoming a BCBA, Dion was a scientist. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Southern California, and post-doctoral training in Genetics at Stanford University. Dion was a research specialist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia campus, studying genetic mechanisms of innate behaviors for over 5 years before changing his career path.  Dion hopes to bridge his extensive science knowledge and his experience in behavior intervention to advance the strategies in supporting individuals with autism. Dion believes in a holistic approach, collaborating closely with families, teachers, and other professionals to create a supportive network that celebrates each achievement, big or small.

Hua Cheng, BCBA, Co-Founder


             Hua Cheng is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) practicing in the Chicago area. She has more than 15 years of experience in the field of autism support and has worked with many individuals of diverse ages, ethnic backgrounds, and functioning levels. 

           In her clinical practice, Hua is committed to helping families with special needs, using behavioral principles and evidence-based practices to improve children's communication, adaptive skills, social-emotional health, and overall quality of life. She possesses a wealth of experience in navigating complex family dynamics while addressing challenging behaviors. 

           In addition, Hua is passionate about improving the social awareness of autism and related developmental disorders, especially in the Chinese community. Her volunteer work extends to online Autism forums, local Chinese schools, and local parent groups. She endeavors not just to educate but also to mentor, advocating effective parenting, parent leadership, and teamwork skills in handling the individual’s developmental needs, as well as mental and physical health needs. Hua also serves as an acting member of the Special Needs Scouting Committee, Pathway to Adventure Council (PTAC), leading the annual presentation on autism awareness within the scouting community.

Lydia Delgado, Lead-RBT


            Lydia Delgado is a Committed military veteran and a compassionate advocate for children with disabilities. Armed with a Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Lydia is on the verge of achieving her BCBA certification this fall, a testament to her commitment to the field. Inspired by her own amazing autistic child, Lydia brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience to her work. Her career has seen her making a positive impact in diverse settings including in-home, school, and clinic environments.

           Beyond her professional pursuits, Lydia is a devoted mother and a lifelong learner. She is currently immersing herself in the study of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf studies, driven by her passion for enhancing non-vocal communication. Lydia's journey is evidence of her unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families.

Olivia Blaser, Lead-RBT


           Olivia Blaser is a dedicated Lead Registered Behavior Technician with four years of experience in the field, backed by a decade of working directly with children with disabilities. Currently pursuing her Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with a specialization in Childhood Clinical Disorders, Olivia brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role. Her expertise spans both clinic and in-home settings, where she is passionate about teaching essential self-help, everyday life, and social skills. Beyond her professional endeavors, Olivia enjoys immersing herself in nature through hiking, exploring new vegan recipes in the kitchen, and expressing her creativity through diamond painting.


"Dion was my first supervisor and he did a great job introducing me to the field of ABA. He provided me with thoughtful advice and was always up for open and honest conversation. His approach to behavioral services were creative and always conscious of promoting best practice with our kiddos. He is a supportive BCBA to clients, RBTs, and families. He is also very dedicated to giving your child the best ABA a company can provide."

-- Former BCBA intern supervisee



"In the world of ABA, there is a certain mindset that one must attain to be able to successfully navigate the field in order to understand the broad spectrum that our kiddos are placed on. This was taught to me by an amazing BCBA that I had the pleasure of working with - Mr. Dion Luo.

Dion is one of the best BCBAs I have encountered in my 8 years in the ABA field. He has taught me that in this field, learning from a class and reading a book will definitely teach you a lot, but what will teach you the most is learning the child, understanding their perspective of life and being able to comprehend how they process information. Dion is someone that has inspired me to continue to educate not just myself, but others as well, about the field of ABA. Dion’s perspective of ABA and the way he is always prioritizing his clients needs is truly amazing. He is constantly thinking outside of the box to find the absolute best way to help his clients learn, grow and be understood. His methods are always respectful, ethical, shaped uniquely per each of his clients and he always takes into consideration the religious and cultural boundaries that the families may have.

The growth I have seen in our shared clients’ skill sets, increase in independence and even watching Dion work on desensitizing clients to eating foods or participating in activities that have been extremely challenging in the past, is something I have learned so much from. I truly cherish my time working with Dion. I have so much appreciation for his take on the world, for the lessons he has taught me and for the ability to take that information and use it to help kids increase their quality of life every day. Any one that has the opportunity to work with Dion should consider themselves lucky to have someone with such a variety of experience and a true passion for the betterment of his clients as well as the field of ABA in general."

-- Former Lead-RBT supervisee

               Testimonial

 


" (BCBAs are) very patient, carefully pinpoint client’s struggle and needs, and actively communicate to seek solutions! Great organization, very good therapists!"

-- Current client parent




"Hua's passion and dedication set her apart. She's not only motivated and detail-oriented, but she also invests significant time in each client's care. This dedication is evident in her thorough supervision and training, her active participation in sessions, and her prompt response to concerns. Hua's compassion shines through in her ability to build rapport with clients swiftly, putting them at ease and ensuring they feel supported throughout the therapy sessions."

-- Former supervision student





Our serving area

Our in-home services cover the suburban of greater Chicago area, including but not limited to Aurora, Wheaton, Naperville, Romeoville, Lisle, Woodridge, Downers Grove, Darien and the Chicago Bridge Port area. To inquire more about our services, email us at dionluo@awaretherapyllc.com or call us at (650)283-6990.