Axis - Ames | Axis Therapy Centers

Axis – AMES

Phone: (515) 337-0343

[email protected]

1315 S Bell Ave.

Suite 108

Ames, Iowa 50010

Services Available

ABA Therapy

Speech Therapy

Feeding Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Parent & Caregiver Training

Social Skills Groups

Our online Intake Form is created to help our team understand your interest in services. Submitting the form creates a profile for your child and adds them to the waitlist based off of the services that you have indicated an interest in. Availability for services is always changing as we rapidly work to meet the needs of the communities that we serve. We look forward to meeting your family and contacting you with availability as it may arise. Please note that wait times depend on many factors and we may not be able to provide estimates for wait times at all locations. If you have any questions, we are happy to assist

Online Intake Form

Clinical Director

Kristin Hanson

M.A., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Axis Clinical Director

Kristin’s Bio

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)

Kylie Wheeler

M.S., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Ames Clinic Supervisor

Kylie’s Bio

Hailey Grell

M.A., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Hailey’s Bio

Jordan Lillard

M.S., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Licensed Behavior Analyst

Ames ABA Supervisor

Jordan’s Bio

Dakotah Overton

M.S., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Dakotah’s Bio

Mariah Harlan

M.A., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Mariah’s Bio

Occupational Therapists

Kelsie Leshen

MSOT, OTR/L

Certified Occupational Therapist

OT Supervisor

Kelsie’s Bio

Haley Austin

OTD, OTR/L

Certified Occupational Therapist

Haley’s Bio

Speech Therapists

Casey Smith

M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

SLP Supervisor

Casey’s Bio

Lauren McAllister

M.S., CF-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Lauren’s Bio

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)

Tatum L.

Registered Behavior Technician

Clinic Assistant

Tatum’s Bio

Meggie D.

Registered Behavior Technician

Trainee

Meggie’s Bio

Axis Therapy Center Behavior Technician Erin M

JJ W.

Registered Behavior Technician

Clinic Assistant

JJ’s Bio

Alli F.

Registered Behavior Technician

Clinic Assistant

Alli’s Bio

Emma O.

Registered Behavior Technician

Emma’s Bio

Katie K.

Registered Behavior Technician

Trainee

Katie’s Bio

Sara N.

Registered Behavior Technician

Sara’s Bio

Bennett S.

Registered Behavior Technician

Trainee

Bennett’s Bio

Morgan G.

Registered Behavior Technician

Morgan’s Bio

Sam B.

Registered Behavior Technician

Sam’s Bio

Emma M.

Registered Behavior Technician

Emma’s Bio

Abby K.

Registered Behavior Technician

Trainee

Abby’s Bio

Claire C.

Registered Behavior Technician

Claire’s Bio

Myra P

Registered Behavior Technician

Clinic Assistant

Myra’s Bio

Paige B.

Registered Behavior Technician

Paige’s Bio

Lisa P.

Registered Behavior Technician

Lisa’s Bio

Marisa L.

Registered Behavior Technician

Marisa’s Bio

Olivia K.

Registered Behavior Technician

Olivia’s Bio

Jessa S.

Registered Behavior Technician

Jessa’s Bio

Kylie A.

Registered Behavior Technician

Kylie’s Bio

Tori L.

Behavior Technician

Tori’s Bio

Renee J.

Registered Behavior Technician

Renee’s Bio

Joe T.

Behavior Technician

Joe’s Bio

Ames Clinic coordination Team

Riley Holmgren

Ames Clinic Coordinator

Riley’s Bio

Genna Bertram

Lead Clinical Scheduler

Genna’s Bio

Candy Gaedke

Clinic Coordinator Supervisor

Candy’s Bio

Kim Slattery

Human Resources Specialist

Kim’s Bio

Hailey Davis

Ames Scheduler

Hailey’s Bio

RCM / Billing Team

Christine Villalobos

Lead Billing Specialist

Chirstine’s Bio

Tamira Fitzjohn

Billing Specialist

Tamira’s Bio

Kayla Cornelius

Authorization Coordinator

Kayla’s Bio

Charlise Williams

Billing Specialist

Charlise’s Bio

Renea Johnson

Authorization Coordinator

Renea’s Bio

Join Our Team

Axis is always looking for highly-motivated, passionate, and energetic individuals to join our team!

Apply Today

Kristin is the CEO, Founder, and Clinical Director of Axis. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a Licensed Behavior Analyst under the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grand View University, and her Master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Most of Kristin's clinical experience has been focused on the early detection and intervention of autism spectrum disorder and specializing in early intervention. She has completed advanced training in the administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and has experience testing toddlers and children for autism spectrum disorder. She is on the Board of Directors for the Autism Society of Iowa, on the Autism Expert Panel for the Iowa Regional Autism Assistance Program, and is an active member of the Iowa Association for Behavior Analysis and Autism Speaks Iowa.

Kristin founded Axis in 2017 on her passion for serving children and families living with autism and special needs. Since building Axis side-by-side with her family from the ground up in 2017, Kristin couldn’t be prouder of the team, culture, and organization that it has become. As a family helping families, Axis looks for opportunities that will make the largest impact and create significant and life-changing outcomes for clients, families, and her staff. Kristin is dedicated to the mission of Axis and is committed to her own leadership development and actively participates in advanced training, mentoring, and deep self-exploration on how to live out her purpose to love and support her family and help others reach their full potential.

In her free time, she enjoys going to major league baseball games (Go Cubs and Go Braves!), watching Iowa Hawkeyes football, attending concerts, playing slow pitch softball, volleyball, coaching her children’s sports teams, listening to true crime and leadership podcasts, and spending time with her husband and their three children.

Kylie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a Licensed Behavior Analyst under the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. Kylie is the Clinic Supervisor of our Ames location. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology through Iowa State University, and her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis through Saint Joseph’s University. Prior to joining the Axis team, Kylie had experience working with children in the field of mental health, ages 10 to 17; and experience in the school setting working with elementary to middle school aged students. After having several years of experience working with children, Kylie got to know more about Applied Behavior Analysis and saw the positive changes in behavior ABA services provide. Kylie enjoys biking, running, and being outdoors in the summer time. She loves to visit new places and spend time with family and friends.

Destiny Y West Des Moines Behavior TEchnician

Hailey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a Licensed Behavior Analyst under the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology through Iowa State University, and her Master's Degree in Behavior Analysis Practice through Florida Institute of Technology. Hailey has a passion for working with children and their families in achieving meaningful goals and creating positive change in their lives. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and going for walks with her Corgi, Beesly.

Jordan serves as the ABA Supervisor at the Ames location. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and a Licensed Behavior Analyst under the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science. With a bachelor’s degree in genetics from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in applied behavior analysis from Eastern Kentucky University, Jordan's educational background provides a strong foundation for her work in behavior analysis.

Jordan has clinical experience in early intervention ABA, with a focus on problem behavior management and neurodiversity-affirming therapy. As a Credentialed Professional in Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) of Severe Problem Behavior, she is well-equipped to handle complex cases and develop effective treatment plans.

Her professional philosophy centers on neurodiversity-affirming therapy, emphasizing a person-centered approach. Jordan is passionate about naturalistic teaching methods, ensuring that therapy sessions are engaging and meaningful for clients. As someone who is also neurodivergent, she is deeply committed to providing compassionate care with the highest level of quality possible. Her dedication to understanding and supporting neurodiverse individuals is at the core of her work at Axis Therapy Centers.

Jordan is also passionate about training new technicians and supporting those in graduate school working towards BCBA certification. She strives to foster a supportive learning environment and mentor the next generation of behavior analysts.

Outside of her professional role, Jordan enjoys spending time with family and friends and learning more about ABA, autism, and neurodiversity.

Dakotah is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and Psychology from William Penn University and her Master of Science degree in Applied Behavior Analysis through The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. When she is not working, she loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs (Mable and Oaklie). She enjoys being outside, going on walks, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

Mariah is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst credentialed through the BACB. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology through Buena Vista University and her Masters of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis through Ball State University. Outside of work, Mariah loves to go the movies, read books, play with her cats, and catch an NBA game with fiancé.

Kelsie is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist whose clinical experience has centered around the pediatric population with an emphasis on children with autism spectrum disorder. Kelsie attended Grand View University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She then attended Allen University where she obtained her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy. Kelsie is a trained professional of the SOS Approach to Feeding and has also completed continuing education on MRNI Dynamic and Postural Reflex Integration. In her free time, Kelsie enjoys spending time with her husband and family, camping, fishing, watching movies, listening to podcasts and traveling.

Haley is an occupational therapist certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. She graduated from Drake University with her occupational therapy doctorate degree (OTD). Haley also graduated from Grand View University with her Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and was a member of the GVU competitive dance team (Go Vikings!). Haley's passion for working with kids started through working as a rehabilitation technician and interning for an adaptive sports organization while she was in college. Outside of work, Haley enjoys coaching dance team, going to concerts, traveling, hiking, going on walks, baking, and puzzles! Haley also enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Archie, and two cats, Maeve and Nova, as well as her family and friends. Haley is thrilled to be part of the therapy team at Axis Therapy Centers and aims to make a positive impact on the Ames community by helping local children and their families reach their full potential and meet their goals.

Casey is a Speech-Language Pathologist certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and licensed by the state of Iowa. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Northern Iowa. From her time as a student clinician until now, Casey has had experience working with a wide range of clients, including children of all ages in both educational and clinical settings. However, her passion is serving children with autism and their families. Casey’s voice has always been important to her; and now, it is her ambition to “give a voice” to kids that need one, whether that be through expanding their verbal communication or through the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Outside of work, Casey loves spending as much time as possible with her husband, family, and friends. She enjoys exercising, singing, watching movies, eating good food, and participating in her local church.

Lauren is a Clinical Fellow Speech-Language Pathologist licensed in the state of Iowa. She has a Master of Sciences degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Dakota. Lauren has experience with clients of all ages across a variety of settings including school, hospital, and clinic. As a neurodivergent provider, she is passionate about empowering children with autism to express themselves, connect with others, and expand their experiences. In her free time, Lauren enjoys spoiling her rescue dog (Braun) and cat (Ciara), reading, singing, and traveling.

Tatum is a Registered Behavior Technician credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She’s currently a student at Iowa State University currently majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She has a passion for working with children and adults with disabilities on everyday needs. She loves helping children of all ages to make progress in achieving meaningful life goals and helping them to learn and grow. In Tatum’s spare time you can find her actively involved with her church, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and going to the beach.

Meggie is a Registered Behavior Technician credentialed through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education from Mount Mercy University. She has previously taught as a Special Education teacher for Kindergarten and First grade as well as a General Education teacher for First grade. Meggie lives in Ames with her husband and two little boys. She enjoys working with kids, and getting to help them learn and grow.

JJ is currently a Behavior Technician Intern and student at Iowa State University, majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, after first receiving her associate degree in psychology from Des Moines Area Community College. Prior to joining the Axis team, JJ worked as a Direct Support Professional at a nonprofit that served adults with disabilities with their everyday tasks in their homes, and then as the Program Coordinator of an organization dedicated to helping and supporting individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities to work, learn, play, and grow in the community. She now has the experience, passion, and drive to continue being a supporter of positive changes and outcomes for people with disabilities. When JJ is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, along with traveling, watching old movies, and going to concerts.

Alli has experience working with school-aged kids after heading up programming for a local after-school program for many years. She has a passion for working with children with disabilities and is inspired by her younger sister with special needs. In her free time, Alli likes to read, get outdoors, and spend time with her husband and daughter.

Emma currently attends Iowa State University, majoring in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice. She has a passion for working with young minds and kiddos to help them best succeed in life obstacles and daily needs. She is excited to be able to grow more with Axis and become a part of the team! In her free time, she likes to hangout with friends, cook new recipes, or watch a good movie!

Katie recently graduated from Liberty University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She has worked with children in various roles and has loved getting to witness their growth and development in all areas of life. In Katie's free time, you can usually find her hanging out with family and friends, volunteering at her church, baking a new recipe she found, or dancing around her home. She is excited about the opportunity to serve the children and families at Axis Therapy Center.

Sara graduated from Iowa State University. She lives in Ames with her 4 animals. She has worked with children for many years. She enjoys working with kids of all ages and backgrounds. Sara has a passion to help kids grow and learn. She is excited for the opportunity at Axis and what it has in store for her.

Bennett is currently a senior at Iowa State University studying Psychology. He hopes to become a Clinical Psychologist to work on research to better understand ASD and ADHD, along with improved ways of treating them. Bennett has been working with children for the past 8 years and has learned more and more from them at each position he has held. He is very excited to work with Axis and be a part of the team that works so hard to help change the kiddos' lives for the better. When he is not working, he really enjoys going to the gym, doing any outdoor activities, and spending time with friends.

Morgan has experience with ages infant to adulthood. She has a passion for working with children both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. She has five siblings and loves to be involved with their activities and loves watching them grow as individuals. Her favorite part of working with children is to see their growth and to provide the best care she can. Some hobbies of hers are swimming, fishing, renovating, and taking her dogs to the lake.

Sam has developed a great love and passion for serving the children in her community. She has been working with children full-time as a Lead Preschool teacher for the last year, as well as part-time in other areas for several years. Sam is currently studying Psychology online at Southern New Hampshire University with high hopes of really being able to make a change in the mental health world. When she isn’t working or studying, you can find Sam roller skating, spending time with friends, or playing with her cat.

Emma is a student at Iowa State University. She is majoring in psychology with a minor in human development and family studies. Her goal post-graduation involves working towards becoming a BCBA. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, boating, and attending country concerts! She is so excited to work with the children and families at Axis Therapy.

Abby currently attends Iowa State and is majoring in Communications and minoring in Linguistics. After graduation, she will be working towards a master's degree in Elementary Education. She also owns her own cupcake business, so she spends much of her free time baking, but also enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog. She hopes to eventually work as a Kindergarten teacher and get her dog therapy animal certified and believes her experience as a Behavior technician will help her understand students in her future classroom that are often misunderstood or left behind!

Claire is a senior at Iowa State University, studying Human Development and Family studies, with a minor in Psychology. She has experience working in childcare centers since she was in high school, but had a passion for helping children long before then. Her goal is to make a difference in the lives of kids by guiding them in making everyday tasks and interactions easier for them. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, thrift shopping, being outdoors and traveling to new places. She is extremely excited for this opportunity and to get to know the personalities of the children she works with.

Myra recently graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology, minoring in Criminal Justice. In her free time, she likes to hang out with friends and family, spend time with her husband and two cats, and find cute coffee shops to hang out at!

Paige is a junior at Iowa State University pursuing a degree in Psychology. She has a passion for helping and supporting others. Paige loves to work with children of any age to help build on skills and provide impactful growth. In her spare time, Paige can be found playing rugby, in the gym, or reading a book.

Lisa has experience as a childcare provider, with a background in both classroom and nanny settings. She is committed to empowering children to reach their full potential and find joy in their learning journey. In her free time, she likes to read, go for walks, and try new Pinterest recipes.

Marisa is master's student studying Applied Behavior Analysis. She has an immense passion for helping others thrive and has supported individuals with special needs since 2021. Before relocating to Ames to pursue degrees in sociology and environmental studies and a certificate in science communication, she served as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa in Des Moines for five years. Her other passions include climbing, hiking, singing, playing the guitar, and spending time with her two cats, family, and friends.

Olivia is a student at Iowa State University majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She is passionate about working with children and encouraging them to develop positive routines and practices. In her free time, she enjoys being outside in the sunshine, hanging out with friends, being involved with her church, traveling, and going on spontaneous adventures.

Jessa currently resides in Ames. She enjoys working with children and has a passion for helping them learn and grow. She loves to taking on new challenges and learning. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading a book or relaxing at home.

Kylie is a senior at Iowa State University majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. After graduation, she plans to continue her education in Applied Behavior Analysis. She has always had a passion for helping children reach their goals and achieve their full potential. She has previous experience working as a Direct Support Professional, assisting individuals with intellectual disabilities in achieving their goals and managing their everyday tasks. In her free time, Kylie enjoys being outdoors, listening to music, spending time with her family and friends, and thrift shopping.

Tori has a passion for working with children and has been working with them for the last 6 years as a Lead Preschool Teacher at a daycare center, previously in other centers, and nannying. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time outside with her family.

Renee is a current student at Iowa State University, pursing a Bachelor of Science degree Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. During her free time, she enjoys yoga, traveling, photography, fishing, and spending time with friends and family!

Joe has always had a passion for helping people obtain certain goals that allow them to live the best version of life possible. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's in science in psychology at Iowa State University and plans to further his education post-graduation. In his free time, he is either at a local basketball park, at his lake fishing and paddle-boarding, or building tables, cabinets, and more with his dad.

Riley currently resides in Ames, but grew up in small town Iowa. She graduated from DMACC in 2022 with dual degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. During the pandemic, Riley opened her own at-home bakery, Riley's Sweets and Treats, but now does this as a fun hobby. Growing up softball was a huge part in her life, including playing in college. This has led to her coaching year-round. Riley has always loved kids - hearing their laughter and seeing them grow.

Genna is the Lead Clinical Scheduler and the Scheduler for our Ames, Fort Dodge, West Des Moines clinics. Genna started her career at Axis as one of our technicians and recently shifted her passion towards the administrative side of things. In her free time, Genna enjoys playing with her kitties Pepperjack and Chicken Sandwich, drinking coffee or listening to true crime podcasts. Genna loves seeing the kiddos come through the door everyday and saying hi to them in the hallways!

Candy is our Ames Clinic Coordinator. She has her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked in the Early Childcare field for 30 years. The past 25 years has been in administration in childcare. Candy’s passion and focus has been coaching and educating teachers on Positive Behavior Interventions and quality care. It has also been very important to her that children and families feel valued and heard. She believes that collaboration and clear communication between families and providers is key to helping children succeed. Candy enjoys living in her small town of Colo, having get-togethers with her extended family, spending lots of time with her 3 grandchildren and binge-watching shows with her husband and dog.

Kim has been involved with helping children and adults achieve their highest potential for the past 28 years. First, as a teacher in the Des Moines metro, she was a classroom teacher with a passion to support all children in learning, growing, and developing into the best version of themselves. Now, in her second career, Kim has been successful in guiding and cultivating relationships for adults with their career journey. She believes in listening to employee concerns to make their work environment one that is conducive to safety, fairness, and culturally acceptive. When not working, Kim is passionate about reading, being outside and crafting. She is a beach lover and wants to explore as many white sandy beaches as possible. Kim’s two grown children are often a topic of conversation she is more than happy to brag to anyone about.

Hailey is our Ames Scheduler. Prior to this role, she worked as an RBT for over three years. Her background brings a deep understanding of client-centered care and a commitment to helping individuals with autism reach their full potential. Outside of work, Hailey enjoys spending quality time with her dogs, savoring a good cup of coffee, filling her home with many plants, and exploring the beauty of nature. She is happily married and values creating meaningful connections with her clients and team.

Christine has her Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Iowa. She has many years of client relations experience starting in retail management and most recently in administration for an outpatient mental health office. Christine is passionate about being part of a team that supports providers so providers can offer the best care to their clients. When she’s not cheering on the Hawkeyes with her husband Chris, she enjoys trying out new food venues.

Tamira is a part of the Axis RCM/Billing team. She resides in Atlanta, GA, and has had a successful 20-year career in the Medical Billing/Healthcare Administration industry. She completed her comprehensive Medical Billing and Healthcare administration certification in 2006, and then became a member of the (AAPC) The American Academy of Professional Coders and AMBA American Medical Billing Association. Tamira enjoys helping others map out financial responsibility during unfortunate circumstances. She makes it her priority to help families establish payment plans and understand health insurance benefits as it pertains to each individual situation. In her free time, she loves traveling to different beaches, being activate and spending quality time with her two daughters.

Kayla is the Authorization Coordinator for Axis. She now works remotely for all locations after having previously held the Clinic Coordinator role in both Ankeny and West Des Moines. She came to us with several years of insurance and customer services experience. Kayla decided she wanted to be in a field where she could work with children after working in her small-town public library as their director where she planned all the activities for toddler time and their summer reading program. Kayla lives in Maxwell, IA with her husband and their 7 children. In her free time, Kayla enjoys her kids’ activities or just being home on the farm with a good book and country music.

Charlise is a part of the Axis RCM/Billing team. She resides in Detroit, MI, and is currently working toward her associate degree in Registered Health Information Technology. She has been working in the healthcare field for 23 years. Charlise is very passionate about healthcare and goes above and beyond to assist her clients. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching television, traveling, and family game nights.

Renea is one of our Authorization Coordinators. She brings her background of working as a technician, and is expanding her passion and enthusiasm into a new role to serve the kids at Axis. When not working, she loves to chase her cats (Marlene and Cher) around her apartment, be outside, and travel.