Our Story

At Trellis, our founder imagined a place where children with autism could learn to navigate the world with joy, confidence, and independence. 

In 2001, Dr. Kathy Niager brought that vision to life. She created Trellis to help children with autism and related disorders experience learning as something fun, playful, and interactive. We use proven educational and behavioral approaches rooted in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Every child in our care receives a treatment plan built on data, science, and a deep understanding of their unique needs. 

For more than 20 years, our dedicated team has worked hand in hand with families across Maryland. More than 1,000 families have trusted us to support their child’s growth. 

Trellis is part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization that believes in the potential of every child with autism. We know that parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers. We are here to guide, support, and work alongside you to help your child thrive. 

Our Team

Anne McHugh, MA, BCBA, LBA
Regional Clinical Director

Anne McHugh, MA, BCBA, LBA

Regional Clinical Director

Anne McHugh is a licensed behavior analyst in the state of Maryland who has worked with individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other special needs in school, clinic, and home settings since 1998. Prior to joining Trellis, she managed her own ABA-focused private practice in the Baltimore area for eight years, while providing consultation to families, other ABA companies, schools, and school systems. She also provided supervision to those pursuing BCBA certification. Anne earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Loyola University, a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Towson University, and a graduate certificate in applied behavior analysis from The University of North Texas. She serves as a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and the Maryland Association for Behavior Analysis.

“Children bring joy to my life each day. This fuels my passion to apply the science of behavior analysis to improve a child’s life.”

Suzanne Heid, MS, BCBA, LBA
Executive Regional Director

Suzanne Heid, MS, BCBA, LBA

Executive Regional Director

Suzanne Heid leads educational and clinical programming at Trellis. She holds a master’s degree in school counseling psychology from Western Maryland College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Suzanne began her career at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and has more than 15 years of professional experience designing and implementing highly successful treatment programs that meet the academic and behavioral needs of children with autism. Suzanne is a board certified behavior analyst and is trained in the implementation of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), an assessment used in diagnosing children with autism.

“As both a parent and a leader at Trellis, I’m proud of our team’s ability to tap into and cultivate what makes each child unique, as we work with families to make life more manageable and give their kids the best path forward. I’m passionate about our work here and humbled every day by the insight and success stories of the Trellis team.”