About Us

January 2008

Amber Bruns, Behavior Coordinator for Behavior Care Services at Children’s Care Hospital & School in Sioux Falls, has become the first Board Certified Associate Behavioral Analyst (BCABA) in South Dakota. As Behavior Coordinator for Behavioral Care Services at Children’s Care, Amber assesses and designs behavioral interventions and teaching strategies for children with developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors. 

 She is pursuing a master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis at St. Cloud State University. Upon completion, she will sit for exams to become a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA), a credential which will allow her to direct others in using ABA. At present, there are three BCBAs in South Dakota; two are on staff at Children’s Care: Dr. Kimberly Marso and Dr. Vicki Isler.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a branch of psychology which studies and treats socially relevant behavior. Based on the work of B.F. Skinner, and continued through the work of Nathan Azrin, Don Baer, Ivar Lovaas, Stephen Hayes, and others, ABA examines the ways that environments select behavior. Its scope has expanded to a powerful technology of behavior change that is ethical, conceptually sound, produces meaningful differences in peoples’ lives, and is empirically validated. Applied Behavior Analysis has become the treatment of choice for helping children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

"Our family is extremely grateful for all of Mason's therapists and the staff at Children's Care. Everyone goes above and beyond their call of duty to empower Mason and our family to develop and maximize his potential. Thank you Children's Care for being a part of our family and support system. We couldn't do it without you."

– Tim M., Parent