THE
SMITH GROUP DIFFERENCE
PASSION
FOCUS
EXCELLENCE
We love what we do! All of the people working with SGBC feel a heart-lead draw to this type of service. None of us feel we just work “a job”. We are driven by the desire to provide services that meet clients' needs where they are, and then challenge them to grow in meaningful ways.
We are committed to creating meaningful outcomes for our clients and stakeholders. Individuals with disabilities are an extremely diverse group with a variety of needs. We help narrow the focus on building skills to achieve this. There will be days of celebration and days that are rough, and our focus will remain steady.
Our people are committed to uphold the highest ethical standards and quality of care. We work to cultivate honest and authentic relationships with our clients, stakeholders, and team; treating people the way we’d like to be treated.
Check back soon for SGBC staff's bios!
Kimberley H. Smith, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Owner/President
Kim grew up in North Alabama and is the owner/president of SGBC. She is a Licensed, Doctoral-Level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) based in Opelika, Alabama. She has 20 years experience working with children that have a variety of diagnoses. Primarily her practice has focused on children (ages 2-21) exhibiting behaviors consistent with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), other developmental disabilities, and other challenges that interfere with children’s ability to learn and enjoy life to the fullest. Her services working with these children have been carried out in homes, schools, and community settings.
Kim began her work with children with special needs in 1998 when she worked for families in Louisiana desperate to help their children overcome the symptoms of Autism. She received training to implement in-home ABA programs for several children diagnosed with Autism. After witnessing first hand the tremendous progress these children made, she became passionate about receiving further training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and returning to Alabama to make ABA services more readily available to families and schools.
In 2001, Kim entered the Ph.D. program in Psychology (Experimental Analysis of Behavior) at Auburn University under Dr. Jim Johnston. During her time in graduate school she participated in advanced training in behavior analysis, autism research experience, and many more rewarding clinical experiences. After completion of her thesis in 2005, Kim had the opportunity to assist The Learning Tree, Inc in development of The Little Tree Preschool, an inclusive, ABA intervention program for children with autism spectrum disorders. In 2007 she held the position of Clinical Director and Program Director at The Little Tree until 2010. Also in 2010, Kim completed her Ph.D. at Auburn University under the guidance of Dr. Jennifer Gillis and continued focusing on bringing her initial task of making ABA services more readily available in Alabama to fruition. Kim has provided behavioral consultation services to families and schools across the state of Alabama. For more details about her experiences and training, please click on her curriculum vitae below.