Amanda N Kelly “Behaviorbabe”
Dr. Amanda N. Kelly, PhD, BCBA-D, is a internationally recognized behavior analyst, award-winning advocate, and the creator of Behaviorbabe—a widely respected platform that translates behavioral science into practical tools for everyday use. With over two decades of experience across clinical leadership, education, and public policy, she has launched and led programs serving individuals with autism and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. Her work spans classrooms and courtrooms, conference halls and Capitol Hill, always grounded in ethical integrity, cultural humility, and a passion for real-world impact. As a speaker, educator, and systems-level strategist, Dr. Kelly continues to shape the field through mentorship, policy reform, and the promotion of socially valid, person-centered care.
Education
2008-2013, Doctorate of Behavior Analysis, Simmons University, MA
2006-2007, Master of Science in Behavioral Education, Simmons University, MA
2003-2005, Certification in Behavior Analysis, University of Massachusetts, MA
1998-2002, Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, K-6 Shepherd University, WV
Certifications & Licensure
2016-2027, Licensed Behavior Analyst, HI, LBA, #1
2013-2027, Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctorate BCBA-D, #1-08-4140
2024-2026, CPR/First Aid, Basic Life Support
2007-2026, Licensed Elementary Education Teacher, MA, Grades 1-6, #414619
2008-2013, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, BCBA, #1-08-4140
2005-2008, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst, BCaBA, #0-05-1828
2002-2006, Elementary Education Teaching License, WV Grades K-5
Executive Leadership
2024–2025, Director of Adult Services, Unumb Center for Neurodevelopment, SC
2022–2023, Director of Recruitment and Talent Development, My Favorite Therapists, FL
2020–2022, Chief Clinical Officer, Breakthrough Behavior, FL
2019–2020, Chief Clinical Officer/Co-Founder, Distinguished Organization of Behavioral Enterprises, FL
2017-2019, Regional Clinical Training Coordinator, PBS Corp., HI
2017-2017, Director, Anuenue Behavior Analysts, HI
2014-2017, Owner, Keiki Educational Consultants, Inc., HI
Clinical Experience
2025-2025, Behavior Analyst, part-time, Paramount Interventions, SC
2014-2017, Counselor, part-time, Assets Elementary, K-8, HI
2013-2014, Senior Behavior Analyst, Malama Pono Autism Center, HI
2013-2013, Senior Behavior Analyst, Autism Behavior Consulting Group, HI
2009-2013, Coordinator of ABA Home & School Services, SEEM Collaborative, MA
2003-2012, Behavior Analyst, Private Families, MA
2008-2009, District Behavior Analyst, Triton Regional Public Schools, MA
2006-2008, District Behavior Analyst, Cambridge Public Schools, MA
2005-2006, Special Education Teacher, North Shore Education Consortium, MA
2003-2005, Special Education Teacher, Melmark New England, Residential & Day Services, MA
2003-2003, Special Education Teacher, New England Center, Residential & Day Services, MA
2000-2002, Behavior Technician, Private Family, WV
Content Creation & Thought Leadership
2008 – Present, Content Creator and Public Speaker, Behaviorbabe
2023-2024, Content Creator and Collaborator, RadBX
2022-2023, Content Creator and Collaborator, Brightkyte
2022-2022, Lead Paralegal, Bouer Law/Mack Rosenberg Law
2015-2018, ABA Marketing Liaison, Relias Learning
Peer Review Experience
2016-2025, Guest Reviewer, Behavior Analysis in Practice
2022-2024, Associate Guest Editor, Behavior Analysis in Practice, Public Policy & Advocacy
2020-2020, Guest Reviewer, Perspectives on Behavior Science
2018-2020, Guest Reviewer, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
2016-2020, Guest Reviewer, Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
University Teaching Positions
2022 – Present, Instructor, Bay Path University, Dept of Special Education
2020 – Present, Instructor, Verified Course Sequence: Philippines (Recorded Content)
2016-2017, Director, University of West Florida, Dept. of ABA, Hawaii Cohort
2013-2016, Instructor, University of West Florida, Dept. of Behavior Analysis
2013-2013, Instructor, Granite State University, Dept. of Special Education
2010-2011, Instructor, Bay Path University, Dept. of Special Education
2009-2011, Teaching Assistant, Simmons University, Dept. of Behavior Analysis
Board & Volunteer Positions
2016 – Present, Secretary, Hawaii Disability Rights Center
2013 – Present, Advisor, Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies
2017-2019, Volunteer Advocacy Ambassador, Autism Speaks, Hawaii
2016-2021, Advisor, Behavior Analyst Program, Hawaii Regulated Industries Complaints Office
2014-2020, Committee Member, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, Events Committee
2012-2012, Student Member, Behavior Change for a Sustainable World, ABA: International
2009-2013, Marketing Chair, Dissemination of Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group
2008-2009, Member-at-large, Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group
Awards & Recognitions
2020, Outstanding Advocate: Telehealth, UMass Medical Autism Insurance Resource Center
2019, Provider Advocate of the Year, Awarded by the Autism Law Summit
2018, Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing, Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science
2015, Advocacy Group of the Year, Awarded by Autism Speaks
2012, Jerry Shook Practitioner of the Year, Awarded by BABAT
Legislative Accomplishments
2014-2020, Committee Member, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, Legislative Committee
2018-2019, Legislative Chair, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, HI
2014-2016, President-elect, President, Past President, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, HI
2012, Community Member Advocate, Passage of Licensure for Behavior Analysts, MA
2010, Community Member Advocate, Passage of Autism Insurance Reform, MA
Publications
Kelly, A.N., Bollinger, L.F., Chiu, J., & Dube., A. (2024). The right to effective behavioral treatment revisited: Ethical expectations for behavior analysts today. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00994-2.
Foxman, A., & Kelly, A.N. (2023). Safety for everyone-today. S.A.F.E.-T. [Assessment Instrument]. Retrieved from safe-tskills.com.
Arthur, S.M, Linnehan, A.M., Leaf, J.B, Russell, N. Weiss, M.J., Kelly. A.N., Saunders, M.S. & Ross R.K. (2023). Concerns about ableism in ABA. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
Kelly, A.N., Shraga, E., Bollinger, L. (2023). Back to Basics: Ethics for Behavior Analysts. Elsevier.
Kelly, A.N., Colon, C. (2022). Applied Behavior Analysis: Autistic Adult Perspectives. In: Leaf, J.B., Cihon, J.H., Ferguson, J.L., Gerhardt, P.F. (eds) Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham.
Kelly, M. P., Martin, N., Dillenburger, K., Kelly, A. N., & Miller, M. M. (2018). Spreading the news: History, successes, challenges, and the ethics of effective dissemination. Behavior Analysis in Practice.
O’Leary, P., Miller, M., Olive, M. & Kelly, A. N. (2015). Blurred lines: Ethical implications of social media for behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-014-0033-0.
Kelly, A. N., Allen, R., Axe, J. & Maguire, R.W. (2015). Effects of presession pairing on challenging behavior for children with autism. Behavioral Interventions.
Hassert, D., Kelly, A.N., Pritchard.