Traditional ABA often focuses on making autistic kids appear “indistinguishable from their peers.” We focus on helping them be their best, authentic selves.

The Anti-Burnout Approach

Happy child running at a park near Albany / Berkeley
We know that masking (hiding autistic traits) leads to severe burnout and anxiety. Our goal is Skill-Building, not compliance.

  • Authenticity First: We help children understand and advocate for their needs, rather than training them to hide who they are.
  • Sustainable Growth: We focus on regulation and independence—skills that improve quality of life long-term, not just immediate compliance.
Schedule Free Call (No pressure, no commitment — just a conversation about your child's needs)

Why Families Choose Yoli

Traditional / For-Profit ABA The Yoli Way
Prioritizes billable hours over meaningful outcomes Prioritizes your child’s well-being — we’re a nonprofit, not driven by shareholder returns
High therapist caseloads (30+ clients per BCBA) lead to burnout and inconsistent care Low, manageable caseloads so your therapist can give focused, personalized attention
Compliance-focused: Teaching children to follow instructions and conform to social norms Autonomy-focused: Building independence, self-advocacy, and honoring neurodiversity
Curriculum-driven: One-size-fits-all programs Child-led learning: We follow your child’s interests (trains, art, space) to teach new skills
Table-time drills that can feel like work Play-based sessions where learning happens through joy
High staff turnover (the best clinicians leave or go out-of-network) Stable, passionate team — we retain top clinicians with competitive pay and healthy workloads
Leadership with little clinical expertise focused on growth and profits BCBA-led organization committed to clinical excellence and ethical practice
Families feel like customers in a transactional relationship Families become part of a supportive community with regular family gatherings

🟢 We’re Currently Accepting New Families

Yoli maintains low caseloads to ensure quality care. Due to high demand in the East Bay, spots fill quickly. If you’re considering ABA therapy for your child, now is the time to schedule your free consultation.

Serving families in Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Kensington, and surrounding areas.

How We Honor Neurodivergence

  • Stimming is Okay: We respect sensory regulation (stimming) and never target harmless behaviors for reduction.
  • Consent Matters: We teach children that their “no” matters. We never use force to gain compliance. When we do use physical prompting, it is gentle and supportive—used only to help a child succeed without frustration, enhance enjoyment, and build internal motivation for activities they might otherwise struggle to complete.
  • Trauma-Informed: We recognize the history of harm in our field and actively work to repair it through transparent, ethical practices.

Safe, Affirming Care in the East Bay

Ready for therapy that respects your child’s identity? Connect with us below. We’d love to discuss your child’s unique strengths and how we can support them without trying to change who they are.

Accessible Care for All Families

  • We accept most major insurance plans
  • Vendorized with the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), Alameda Alliance, and Partnership HealthPlan (PHC)
  • MediCal approved
  • We offer a sliding fee scale for families without insurance
  • We’re committed to never turning families away due to cost

Questions about coverage? We’ll help you navigate your benefits — just ask during your free consultation call.

Meet our Clinical Director (& Founder)

Laura Kliger

Hello. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with an insatiable passion for child development and self-directed learning. I have been working in many settings (homes, schools, clinics and in the community) with children of all ages. I have been supporting parents, teachers, and therapists to better understand and manage behaviors. My passion is to help parents reclaim their role; to understand their child’s behavior and to make changes that allow the family to live in a more cohesive and symbiotic way.

– Laura Kliger, BCBA, MADS

What Happens After You Reach Out?

  1. 15-Minute Phone Call
    We’ll discuss your child’s needs and determine if Yoli is a good fit
  2. Initial Meeting (if we’re a match)
    Learn about our approach, ask questions, and meet our team
  3. Intake & Evaluation
    We observe your child and develop a personalized treatment plan
  4. Treatment Begins
    Play-based sessions at our Albany playspace or in the community, with parent involvement

No pressure at any step — we want to make sure Yoli is right for YOU.

Why Parents Trust Yoli

  • BCBA-led organization (Board Certified Behavior Analysts)
  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit — mission-driven, not profit-driven
  • Evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach
  • Low caseloads means consistent, quality care
  • Licensed & insured (NPI: 1134010382)
  • Physical playspace in Albany (1057 Solano Ave)