Our Story
Our founder envisioned a place where children with autism learn to navigate
a world with happiness, confidence,
and independence.
Established in 2001 by Dr. Kathy Niager, Trellis is a unique agency that uses progressive educational and behavioral models to teach children with autism and related disorders that learning can be a fun, playful, and interactive experience. Our team specializes in the science-based principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), using data and evidence to deliver highly personalized treatment for every child in our care. Over the last two decades, our passionate staff and thoughtful programming have helped more than 1,000 families in Maryland.
Trellis is part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization dedicated to nurturing the unique potential of children with autism—and supporting families from day one. We consider you, as parents and caregivers, your child’s first and most important teacher, and we partner with you to create an environment in which you and your child can thrive.
The LEARN Advantage
Local Services, National Resources
Our team at Trellis delivers services in Maryland, but we’re also part of LEARN Behavioral, a national organization that specializes in using contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) to deliver treatment tailored exclusively to the needs of every child with autism in our care.
As part of LEARN, Trellis offers your child and family the convenience and familiarity of local services, with the advantages of a progressive and collaborative national organization at the forefront of autism treatment.
And the advantages are real.
Our local and national clinicians arrive at work each day equipped with the latest research, the most extensive support and professional development, and clinical insights from one of the largest and most diverse behavioral health data sets in the country, amassed from treating more than 25,000 children over two decades. Our ability to derive insights from your child’s data, in addition to the aggregated data we’ve accumulated over time and across the country, gives us what we need to make evidence-based treatment decisions—and ultimately deliver personalized, effective care.
With more than 30 doctoral-level clinicians, 450 behavior analysts, and 3,700 behavior technicians, our organization treats more than 5,000 children across 15 states—and counting. Our clinical team, led by Hanna Rue, PhD, BCBA-D, makes up a concentration of ABA professionals unmatched by any other provider. Likewise, our clinical practice has been built over time by the collective inputs of leading minds and founding luminaries in the autism field, including Ivar Lovaas, Connie Kasari, Carl Sundberg, Bill Frea, Marjorie Charlop, Ronit Molko, Linda LeBlanc, and Laura Schreibman.
MEET
OUR
TEAM
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
LEARN and TRELLIS KNOW WE’RE NOT ALL THE SAME.
Recognizing differences and tailoring our approach are at the core of what we do. That’s why we’re committed to fostering a culture that embraces what makes us each unique, whether race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disabilities/abilities, or socioeconomic background. LEARN and Trellis aim to acknowledge the lived experiences and diversity of perspectives of our staff and the children and families we serve. We pledge to create a community centered around trust, respect, tolerance, and empathy. Together, we’re better.
LET’S
TALK
Reach out if you’d like to chat.
Regardless of your child’s age or where you are in your journey, we can help.