Child Behavioral Therapists | Xanadu Behavior Therapy New Jersey

Xanadu Behavior Therapy

A private agency that provides communication, behavioral, and social skills to children with autism and related disorders throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties in New Jersey. We utilize principles of behavior within the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to help expand the behavioral repertoires of the children we serve.

Xanadu continues to operate forty-eight weeks a year.

Our Office

Due to COVID-19, we now also provide on-site services to families residing in Ocean and Monmouth Counties.

Our Mission

The word “xanadu” means the doorway to utopia, or a better world. Our mission is to help each child realize his or her full potential, and become more independent in his or her daily life. We teach the child and the family. We not only implement the principles of behavior during teaching sessions, but we also help the family incorporate these principles into everyday routines to reinforce appropriate behavior.

Things We Help With

Problem Behavior

Self-injury (hurting self- head banging; biting self; pinching/scratching self; etc.)
Aggression (hurting others- hitting; punching; biting; property destruction; etc)
Non-compliance (accepting no/wait/stop; following directions; etc)
Off-task (attending skills; task completion; etc)

Functional Life Skills

Toileting
Dressing
Self-feeding
Personal hygiene

Communication

Requesting (for items; for actions; for attention; for help; etc)
Labeling (items; familiar peoples; adjectives; using sentences; etc)
Conversation skills (fill-ins; answering social questions; answering Wh- questions; etc)
Receptive skills
Motor skills

Social Skills

Turn taking
Waiting
Conversing
Peer interaction
Board games
Relationships

Things We Don't Help With

Adults older than 21
Individuals without an autism diagnosis (unless via NJDOE or private pay)
Suicidal thoughts
Psychosis
Mental illness
Behaviors requiring restraints

Creation of Xanadu

Xanadu Behavior Therapy was created by
Stacie Groeling in February, 1999.

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Ms. Groeling possesses a Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Temple University. She has co-authored chapters for various autism textbooks, and has presented at many autism- and behavior-related workshops, trainings, and conferences throughout New Jersey.

Because she focuses much of her time teaching others the correct implementation of ABA interventions, Ms. Groeling’s research specifically focuses on staff training models and competency in delivering behavior-analytic interventions. A dually-certified elementary and special education teacher in New Jersey, Ms. Groeling decided to take the skills gained from her public school experiences and create a private agency that focuses on the importance of functional learning, social behavior, and family training.

Our Clients

Health Insurance

Effective 2011, Xanadu provides services to families who are able to access ABA benefits through their health insurance company (including Medicaid and commercial plans). Children range in age from birth to 21, and have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. We offer individualized treatment planning utilizing the principles of ABA. Services are provided via telehealth, on-site at Xanadu, as well as in the child’s home and community. We collaborate with the child’s school placement, but as per the insurance ABA mandate we are unable to provide services in the school setting when services are accessed through your health insurance company (unless during after-care activities).

New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE)

Xanadu is a state-approved clinic, which allows us to provide supplemental services to children within the New Jersey Department of Education via individual school districts. Children range in age from 3 to 21, and may or may not have a diagnosis related to autism. We offer staff training, in-class support, and consultative services to school districts throughout New Jersey. In addition, we provide individualized programming within the science of behavior analysis, including Verbal Behavior techniques, Discrete Trial Instruction, Natural Environment Teaching, and Daily Living Skills. These services can be provided in the child’s home and/or community, as well as the child’s educational environment (school). Services may also include small group instruction, shadowing, or community experiences. We attend various meetings, including IEP meetings, staff meetings, and articulation meetings. We also provide functional behavioral assessments and family training.

New Jersey Division of Child Behavioral Health Systems

Xanadu provides services to children and families within the county care management organizations (CMO) agencies in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Children range in age from 5 to 18, and have a diagnosis related to autism. We provide individualized instruction in the areas of behavior management and functional living skills. These services are provided in the child’s natural environment (home and community). We attend various meetings, including ISP (Individual Service Plan) meetings. We also provide behavioral assessments and family training.

Department of Defense ECHO and Demo Programs

Xanadu provides services to active military families through the Department of Defense (Tricare and U.S. Family Healthcare). Services provided include individualized programming, social skills instruction, and functional living skills. We attend various meetings, and also provide behavioral assessments and family training.

Private Families

Xanadu provides services to children via private contracts with individual families. Children range in age from birth to 21, and may or may not have a diagnosis related to autism. All of the above services are offered.

About Us