About Our Founder
I am the Founder/Owner, and Executive Director of Childhood Autism Services Inc (CAS). The organization was established in August 2011 to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since then, our organization has grown significantly, thanks to our dedicated team of BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs who meet the unique needs of every child and family.
My career began in 1987 as a special education teacher, focusing on early intervention for children with a variety of neurological and developmental disorders. In 2011, the company began offering home-based ABA services and I earned my master’s degree in education from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE. I became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2013, receiving my certification from Florida Institute of Technology.
At CAS we are guided by respect, communication, and kindness. We treat every child with dignity and compassion, fostering a nurturing environment. Our clear and empathetic communication helps build strong, supportive relationships, ensuring the best outcomes for each child.
“A failure is not always a mistake; it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”
– B.F. Skinner
Theresa Newton, M.S ED. LBA BCBA
Founder/Owner & Executive Director
Administrative Staff
Theresa Newton
Theresa Newton
Founder/Owner & Executive Director
I am the Founder/Owner, and Executive Director of Childhood Autism Services Inc (CAS). The organization was established in August 2011 to provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since then, our organization has grown significantly, thanks to our dedicated team of BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs who meet the unique needs of every child and family.
My career began in 1987 as a special education teacher, focusing on early intervention for children with a variety of neurological and developmental disorders. In 2011, the company began offering home-based ABA services and I earned my master’s degree in education from the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE. I became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2013, receiving my certification from Florida Institute of Technology.
At CAS we are guided by respect, communication, and kindness. We treat every child with dignity and compassion, fostering a nurturing environment. Our clear and empathetic communication helps build strong, supportive relationships, ensuring the best outcomes for each child.
“A failure is not always a mistake; it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”
– B.F. Skinner
Tina Persinger
Tina Persinger
Employee & Funder Relations
After many years of managing people and finances in the Hospitality and Non-Profit industries, I chose to join CAS while it was still a small startup company. I recently settled into the Human Resources and Funder Relations role and have an insider view of the growth within CAS and in the ABA industry as a whole. I have enjoyed researching and developing benefits and policies for our amazing staff as well as creating relationships with insurance funders who are still learning more about ABA benefits and what we do. In my personal time I get to enjoy my children and six grandchildren alongside my husband. We like to attend new and fun local events and travel any time our schedules allow.
Mary Clarke
Mary Clarke
Billing & Claims
I have been with CAS since April 2022 and have over ten years in billing, medical coding, and medical records auditing. I have a BA in International Studies, Spanish and an Associates in Health Information Management. Having an adult son on the spectrum, I can relate to many of the challenges families may have. I enjoy being a part of the CAS team that genuinely cares about every client’s growth and success. In my personal time I enjoy traveling, cooking, gardening, and spending time with my family and pets.
Torri Smith Tejral, LBA, BCBA, LIMHP
Torri Smith Tejral, LBA, BCBA, LIMHP
Director of Clinical Services
I have a passion for working with children on the Autism Spectrum and advocating for evidenced based practice. I am a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner as well as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Over the course of my career, I have provided outpatient mental health services, intensive home-based therapy services and center-based therapy for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. My husband Chris and I live in La Vista with our 3 children.
McKayla Auck
McKayla Auck
Event Planning and Waitlist Management
I graduated with a degree in Special Education in 2011 and taught for 8 years after that in Papillion. I joined the CAS team in 2020 as an RBT and have moved into an administrative role within the company. I love the passion that CAS as a company has for helping children and families in the Autism community. I enjoy organizing and planning events for clients and staff, as well as helping families who are inquiring about our waitlist and services provided. Outside of work I enjoy traveling with my husband and our two children.
Christine Grimo
Christine Grimo
Administrative Assistant
I have always had a passion for helping individuals of all ages. I graduated with a Bachlor’s in Worship Arts and spent six rewarding years as a Worship Leader. In 2020 I joined CAS as an RBT, quickly developing a strong connection with the clients, staff and ASD community. In 2021 I moved from my role as an RBT into the 945-office assistant role. In 2024 I moved into my current role of Administrative Assistant. When I’m not at work you’ll find me at one of the many local coffee shops or spending time with my family.
Clinic Directors
Tim Sabutis, LBA, BCBA
Tim Sabutis, LBA, BCBA
North Clinic Director, Clinical Supervisor
I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Health and Human Performance from Bellevue University (BU) in 2011. I continued at BU for my graduate program to receive my master’s degree in Clinical Counseling in 2013. I went on to complete my coursework at Florida Institute of Technology and received my BCBA certificate in February 2016. Over the course of my career, I have provided outpatient behavioral health services, intensive home-based therapy services, school-based services, and center-based services for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. I enjoy working as a team with the families I serve and have a passion for working towards socially significant behaviors that have long lasting effects in the lives of the clients I serve. My wife Janet and I live in Bellevue, NE. with our two children and two cats.
Kelly Cox
Kelly Cox
North Clinic Assistant
My passion for working with children drove me to go to school for education at UNL where I received my undergraduate in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. My first job was teaching Kindergarten in the Public Schools. While teaching I received my Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane. I joined CAS as an RBT in July of 2023 and decided to transition to the role of office assistant in August of 2024 at the 945 clinic. Outside of the clinic you can find me spending time with my husband and our three children.
Alexa Goodman, LBA, BCBA
Alexa Goodman, LBA, BCBA
South Clinic Director, Clinical Supervisor
I began my journey in ABA in 2013 as an RBT and worked towards my BCBA. Over the course of my career, I have provided services in Nebraska and Florida in schools, home, and center settings for children with autism spectrum disorder and other intellectual disabilities. I am the clinic director and a clinical supervisor at the 11412 Centennial Road office. I have a passion for working with my clients and families and seeing each client grow to their potential. Outside of work I enjoy traveling and spending time with my dog, friends, and family.
Barb Drake
Barb Drake
South Clinic Assistant
I joined CAS in 2019 after many years in a public-school individualized education setting. A few of my favorite things about CAS are the amazing co-workers, clients and families I have met. Being in a position where I can help support children on the autism spectrum is very rewarding. When not at the 11412 clinic, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our three adult children and spouses and other family/friends. You can also find me reading with our kitty curled up nearby or outdoors gardening, hiking and bird watching.
Clinical Supervisors
Courtney Petersen, LaBA, BCaBA
Courtney Petersen, LaBA, BCaBA
Clinical Supervisor
I received my Bachelors in Psychology at The University of Nebraska at Lincoln in August 2008. I went on to complete my coursework at Florida Institute of Technology and received my BCaBA certificate in August of 2016. I worked part time for Lutheran Family Services and part time as a Registered Behavior Technician for Childhood Autism Services while completing my course work. Once I graduated in August of 2016 I began working as a Clinical Supervisor. I love to spend time with my family and friends, being outside, traveling, and have a passion for working with children.
Elizabeth M. Bullington, LBA, BCBA, LMHP
Elizabeth M. Bullington, LBA, BCBA, LMHP
Clinical Supervisor
I have been working with CAS since 2012, and currently serve as a Clinical Supervisor and Ethics Chair. I graduated from Midland in 2008 with a bachelor’s in psychology and minor in Applied Behavior Analysis. I received my master’s in psychology in 2010 through UNO’s collaborative program with the MMI’s Psychology Department at UNMC. I am a BCBA and LMHP. My passion lies in teaching communication strategies and promoting independence. At a young age, I was inspired by Hellen Keller’s teacher, Anne Sullivan, and Keller’s quote: “…The living word (water) awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, set it free!”
Jessica Fletcher, LBA, M.S., BCBA
Jessica Fletcher, LBA, M.S., BCBA
Behavior Technician Training Director, Clinical Supervisor
I am the Training Director and a Clinical Supervisor. I am passionate about teaching both children and adults. Growth is exciting, and that is why I feel honored to be a part of the CAS team. I am married and am a mom of three. We love creating family time to enjoy the outdoors.
Lanisa Marts, LBA, BCBA
Lanisa Marts, LBA, BCBA
Clinical Supervisor
I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology of Families and Spanish. Since then, I have dedicated my career to the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, starting at the Munroe-Meyer Institute in Early Intervention. From 2016 to 2022, I worked as an RBT at CAS, and in May 2022, I proudly earned my Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus on Autism, becoming a BCBA! Working with children with autism is a passion of mine, and I am deeply committed to providing our clients with the highest quality of life possible. In my free time, I love to travel, create artworks, enjoy new foods, and spend time with my family and friends.
Laura Needelman, LBA, BCBA, LMHP
Laura Needelman, LBA, BCBA, LMHP
Clinical Supervisor
I have been a BCBA since 2011 and a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner since 2015. I received my bachelor’s in elementary education from Creighton University and my master’s degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. I have worked as a behavior technician in a hospital-based setting, developed and was clinical coordinator for an outpatient clinic for children with autism, provided outpatient mental health services, and supervised home-based, clinic-based, and school-based therapy. My husband and I live in Omaha with our 5 children who keep us very busy. I love to puzzle, read, fish, and volunteer at my children’s schools.
Tina Puhalla, LaBA, BCaBA
Tina Puhalla, LaBA, BCaBA
Clinical Supervisor
I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Rehabilitation Science from Arkansas Tech University. I went on to teach and direct preschool for 15 years before beginning my career at CAS. I began working as an RBT at CAS in 2019. I completed my BCaBA course work at Florida Institute of Technology in 2021 and began working as a BCaBA at CAS in 2022. I have a passion for working closely with families to support clients in achieving socially significant behavior that will make lasting changes in the lives and families we serve. My husband Joseph and I live in Papillion and have 2 children. I am a dedicated and highly driven BCaBA. In my spare time I enjoy camping, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends.