Your child deserves more than management. Your family deserves empowerment.

ABA therapy that equips your whole family—so progress doesn't end when the session does.

What if your family held the keys all along?

The diagnosis came with paperwork, appointments, and advice from every direction—but no roadmap for real life. You've tried services before, and maybe progress didn't stick. That's not your fault. Most programs train therapists, not families.

You're not looking for someone to "manage behaviors." You're looking for someone to teach your family how to live—fully, confidently, and without apology.

That's what's at stake. Not just skills. Belonging.

At Cornell Behavioral Services, we don't just treat your child. We train your family.

For Your Child

Your child gains skills that matter—not just compliance, but communication, independence, and participation in the life happening around them.

For You

You gain competence and confidence—we teach you so thoroughly that you could train someone else. Because when the session ends, real life continues, and you'll be ready.

For Your Family

Your family becomes the bridge—equipped to help teachers, relatives, neighbors, and anyone else understand your child. That understanding is the first step toward belonging.

Skills that matter. Knowledge that lasts.

Our Services

At Cornell Behavioral Services, we offer:

ABA Therapy

Evidence-based, individualized therapy delivered in your home and community—where real life happens.

Parent Training

We teach you everything we know so you can support your child's progress every day, not just during sessions.

Assessments

Comprehensive evaluations that identify your child's strengths, needs, and the skills that will make the biggest difference.

Consultations

Expert guidance for families navigating the world of ABA, IEPs, and behavioral support.

Free IEP Consultations

Complimentary guidance to help you prepare for IEP meetings and advocate effectively for your child's needs in the school setting.

Supervision Hours

BCBA supervision for aspiring behavior analysts and RBTs pursuing their credentials.

Skills We Target

We focus on socially significant skills—the ones that unlock participation in family life, school, and community.

Communication

Not just words, but connection. Expressing needs, sharing joy, being understood.

Daily Living

The quiet victories: brushing teeth, getting dressed, sitting at the table. Independence built one skill at a time.

Self-Regulation

Tools to navigate frustration, transition, and the unpredictability of the world.

Social Participation

Playing with siblings. Tolerating the grocery store. Attending the birthday party—and staying.

Jonathan Cornell, BCBA — Founder & Clinical Director of Cornell Behavioral Services

Meet Jonathan Cornell, BCBA

Founder & Clinical Director

You need someone who has walked in multiple worlds—who understands both the science and the struggle. Jonathan Cornell has been tested at elite institutions and on the biggest stages.

He's a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with dual Master's degrees from Arizona State University (Special Education) and the University of Mississippi (Curriculum & Instruction). He holds teaching credentials in English, Social Science, and Special Education. A former NFL linebacker with the Tennessee Titans and proud alum of the Mississippi Teacher Corps, Jonathan brings over 10 years of systematic instruction experience across general and special education settings.

For the past eight years, he's taught Special Education Government, Economics, and English, managing a caseload of 25+ students with IEPs while serving as a football coach and defensive coordinator. He's conducted comprehensive functional behavior assessments, designed individualized behavior intervention plans, and supervised multidisciplinary teams as a BCBA and Program Manager.

Jonathan founded Cornell Behavioral Services with a clear mission: to enrich lives, educate families, and build a more inclusive society—one where families become advocates and every person has the skills to participate fully in their community.

We understand:

  • The exhaustion of repeating your child's story to every new provider
  • The frustration of strategies that work in session but not at home
  • The loneliness of feeling like no one truly gets your family

We bring:

  • Clinical expertise grounded in research and refined in real homes
  • A commitment to teaching you everything we know
  • A team held to the highest standards

How It Works

1

We Listen

Schedule a consultation. Tell us about your child, your family, your hopes. No jargon. No pressure. Just a conversation about what matters to you.

2

We Learn

Through comprehensive assessment, we identify the skills that will open doors for your child—and the strategies that will work for your family.

3

We Teach

Therapy happens in your home, in your routines, in your real life. And you're learning alongside us—session by session.

4

We Grow Together

As your child progresses, we adapt. When you're ready to carry this forward without us, that's not failure. That's the goal.

Why Cornell Behavioral Services

We provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and related developmental disabilities. We specialize in home-based services because that's where life happens—and where skills need to carry over to matter.

But what sets us apart isn't where we work. It's how we work.

We treat parents as partners, not spectators. We measure success by independence, not dependence. We hire clinicians who want to be held to high standards—and we invest in their growth so they can invest fully in yours.

Our mission is simple: enrich the lives of our clients, our families, and our employees—so that each one leaves us equipped to create understanding in their communities, belonging for their children, and a more inclusive society for everyone.

You have questions. We have answers.

What ages do you serve?

We provide ABA therapy services for children and young adults ages 2-21

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We are in-network with Blue Shield of California and also accept private pay clients. If you’re unsure about your coverage, contact us and we’ll help you verify your benefits before we begin

What credentials does your team have?

Our clinical director, Jonathan Cornell, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with two Master’s degrees—one in Special Education, one in Curriculum & Instruction—and holds teaching credentials in English, Social Science, and Special Education. We maintain high standards across our team: all supervisors possess Master’s degrees in related fields (education, psychology, etc.), and direct therapy is delivered by trained behavior technicians and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) who have met national certification standards. While behavior technicians receive comprehensive training and ongoing BCBA supervision, RBTs hold additional national certification in behavioral intervention techniques. Every team member is trained in evidence-based practices to support your family’s success.

What is ABA therapy?

ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. It's a scientific approach to understanding how behavior works—and how to teach new skills by breaking them into manageable steps, providing consistent practice, and reinforcing progress. We figure out what's getting in the way of your child's participation in life, and we systematically teach them (and you) how to overcome it. Not through tricks. Through understanding.

Is ABA harmful? I've read some concerning things online.

You've probably seen criticism of ABA—and some of it is valid. Historically, some ABA practices prioritized compliance over wellbeing, and some autistic adults have shared painful experiences. At CBS, we reject that legacy. We don't chase "quiet hands" or force eye contact. We don't measure success by how "normal" a child appears. We focus on skills that genuinely improve quality of life—communication, independence, self-regulation—and we do it with respect for your child's dignity, preferences, and neurology. If something doesn't feel right to you, we want to hear it. You know your child. We're here to partner with you, not override you.

How is CBS different from other ABA companies?

Most ABA companies focus on the child. We focus on the family. Our goal isn't to create dependence on therapists. Our goal is to make you so knowledgeable, so skilled, so confident that you could train someone else. Because your child's life doesn't pause when the session ends. And the people around them—teachers, grandparents, coaches, neighbors—will need guidance that only you can provide. We're also deeply committed to our clinicians. We hire people who want to be held to high standards, and we invest in their growth—because burned-out therapists can't give your family their best.

What does "socially significant" mean?

It means we focus on skills that actually matter in your child's daily life—not arbitrary targets that look good on paper. Can they ask for what they need? Can they tolerate a change in routine without crisis? Can they sit with the family at dinner? Can they play alongside a sibling? Those are socially significant skills. They're the ones that open doors to participation, connection, and belonging.

How much will I need to be involved?

A lot. And that's by design. We don't want you watching from another room while a therapist works with your child. We want you in the session—learning why we're doing what we're doing, practicing the strategies yourself, asking questions, building your own confidence. Our job is to work ourselves out of a job. That only happens if you're equipped to carry the work forward.

What ages do you serve?

[Insert age range based on your current focus—e.g., "We currently serve children ages 2-12."]

Where do services take place?

In your home and community—where real life happens. Skills learned in a clinic don't always transfer to the grocery store, the playground, or grandma's house. By working in your natural environment, we help your child generalize what they're learning to the places it matters most.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We are in-network with [list insurance providers once credentialed]. If you're unsure about your coverage, contact us and we'll help you verify your benefits before we begin.

How long does ABA therapy take?

There's no universal answer—it depends on your child's needs, your family's goals, and how consistently we can work together. Some children make rapid progress and transition out of services within a year or two. Others benefit from longer-term support. We'll talk openly about timelines and adjust as your child grows. What we won't do is keep you in services longer than necessary. Our goal is independence—for your child and for you.

What if I've had a bad experience with ABA before?

We hear this more often than we'd like. Not all ABA is created equal, and some families have been burned by providers who didn't listen, didn't explain, or didn't treat their child with dignity. If that's your story, we're sorry. And we want to earn your trust—slowly, transparently, one session at a time. Tell us what went wrong before. Tell us what you need to feel safe. We'll listen.

What credentials does your team have?

Our clinical director, Jonathan Cornell, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with two Master's degrees—one in Special Education, one in Curriculum & Instruction. All direct therapy is supervised by a BCBA and delivered by trained Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) who have met national certification standards. We hold our team to high standards because your family deserves the best.

How do I know if ABA is right for my child?

The best way to find out is to talk. Schedule a consultation—we'll listen to your concerns, learn about your child, and give you an honest assessment of whether ABA is a good fit. If it's not, we'll tell you. And we'll do our best to point you toward resources that might help.

What is a BCBA?

A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) is a graduate-level clinician who has completed specialized training in behavior analysis, passed a national certification exam, and maintains ongoing education requirements. BCBAs design treatment plans, supervise therapy, and ensure services are delivered ethically and effectively. At CBS, a BCBA oversees every aspect of your child's care.

What is an RBT?

An RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) is a trained therapist who works directly with your child under the supervision of a BCBA. RBTs complete a 40-hour training program and pass a national competency assessment. They're the ones in your home, session after session, building skills and rapport with your child.

Will my child have the same therapist every session?

Consistency matters. We do our best to assign a primary therapist to your child and maintain that relationship over time. If scheduling changes are needed, we'll communicate with you and ensure smooth transitions.

How many hours per week will my child need?

It varies. After assessment, we'll recommend a number of hours based on your child's needs and goals. Some children benefit from 10-15 hours per week; others may need more or less. We'll also consider your family's schedule and capacity. A plan that overwhelms you won't serve your child well.

Can you work with my child's school?

Yes. With your permission, we can collaborate with teachers, school counselors, and special education staff to ensure consistency across settings. We can also help you prepare for IEP meetings and advocate for your child's needs.

What if my child is nonverbal?

Many of the children we work with have limited or no spoken language. Communication is often one of our primary targets—but communication isn't limited to speech. We may use sign language, picture systems, or speech-generating devices depending on what works best for your child. The goal is functional communication—helping your child express needs, make choices, and connect with others in whatever form that takes.

Do you work with children who have diagnoses other than autism?

Yes. While many of our clients have autism spectrum disorder, ABA can also benefit children with other developmental disabilities, behavioral challenges, or learning differences. Contact us to discuss your child's specific needs.

What's the first step?

Schedule a consultation. No commitment. No pressure. Just a conversation about your family. Contact us here.

Ready to stop managing and start thriving?

Whether you're just beginning to explore ABA or you're ready to start services, we're here to answer your questions—honestly, thoroughly, without pressure.

Let's talk about your family.

You've done the research. You've weighed the options. Now take the next step. Whether you're just beginning to explore ABA or you're ready to start services, we're here to answer your questions—honestly, thoroughly, without pressure.

📞

Phone

(662) 380-3791

📍

Service Area

We serve families throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties, including Whittier, East LA, South LA, Long Beach, Santa Monica, South Bay, Glendora, Brea, La Habra, Huntington Beach, and Los Alamitos.

Send us a message