Amy Kaehr
Gresham,OR
Summary
Compassionate and skilled Board Certified Behavior Analyst with extensive experience supporting learners with high-intensity and complex behaviors across clinic, home, and community settings. Specialized in Skills-Based Treatment (SBT), caregiver collaboration, and assent-based practices that promote long-term, meaningful progress for clients and families. Proficient in AAC systems, including PECS and ASL, and committed to functional, individualized communication supports. Certified Safety-Care Trainer with additional expertise in Safety-Care for Families, crisis prevention, and staff coaching. Dedicated to delivering ethical, evidence-based intervention and creating supportive environments grounded in dignity, safety, and high-quality clinical care.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Director
Center for Social Dynamics
01.2023 - Current
- Conduct functional and skills assessments and developed individualized ABA treatment plans for clients with complex and high-risk behaviors.
- Analyze behavioral data and update programming to track progress, guide treatment decisions, and ensure measurable outcomes.
- Implement Skills-Based Treatment (SBT) to safely assess, prevent, and reduce severe and dangerous behaviors in high-intensity clients.
- Lead de-escalations during behavioral crises, ensuring safety for clients and staff.
- Supervise and manage over 20 clinic staff, including scheduling support and Safety-Care Training.
- Deliver individualized and group caregiver training, including Safety-Care for Families, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure coordinated care.
Clinical Leader intern
Center for Social Dynamics
05.2022 - 01.2023
- Trained and supervised specialists on implementation of evidence-based programs and treatment goals.
- Conducted parent trainings using Applied Behavior Analysis strategies.
- Collected and analyzed data to draft written and graphical progress reports for the clinical team.
- Completed and interpreted assessment tools, including VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, and Vineland.
- Collaborated with multi-disciplinary treatment teams and participated in educational and care coordination meetings to design socially significant skill acquisition programs.
Clinical Intervention Specialist
Center for Social Dynamics
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Trained new staff on the implementation of skill acquisition and behavior reduction programs.
- Used de-escalation and safety care management strategies during crisis situations to protect the safety of clients and staff.
- Implemented treatment goals to increase functional communication, daily living skills, and social interaction skills.
- Led and supported social skills groups for school-aged and teen clients.
Behavior Specialist
Center for Social Dynamics
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Implemented treatment targets as written with clients one-to-one and collected data on responses.
- Modified the environment to support client’s skill acquisition and behavior reduction programs.
- Maintained professional boundaries with parents and caregivers while building supportive relationships.
Research Assistant
Portland State University: Child Language Learning Center
08.2019 - 08.2020
- Created and presented colloquium discussing Strengths-Based Approach and its application to team’s community-based partnership.
- Contributed to systematic literature review by developing protocols for filtering articles, manually reviewing relevant articles, and summarizing findings into cohesive manuscript.
- Completed language and literacy assessment training (e.g. Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test).
- Assisted with grant writing and conference applications.
- Attended weekly lab meetings to communicate team progress, problem-solve barriers, and participate in training exercises/activities involving: ethics, diversity, and assessment biases.
Education
MS - Applied Behavior Analysis
National University
San Diego, CA10.2022
BA - Social Sciences
Portland State University
Portland, OR01.2020
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Mt. Hood Community College
Gresham, OR01.2018
Skills
- Clinical Competencies
- Skills-Based Treatment (SBT) & Practical Functional Assessment (PFA)
- Assent-Based and Trauma-Assumed Care
- Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
- Functional Assessments & Behavior Intervention Planning
- Daily Living Skills & Toilet Training Certifications & Specialized Training
- PECS Level 1
- Certified Safety Care Trainer
- ASL
- Supervision & Collaboration
- Behavior Skills Training (BST)
- RBT Training and Supervision
- Treatment Integrity Monitoring
- School and Group Home Collaboration Caregiver Support
- Individual Parent Training
- Parent Group Facilitation
- Transition Planning to Parent-Led Models
- Safety Care for Families
Accomplishments
- Successfully led high-intensity behavior reduction programs, resulting in significant decreases in dangerous behaviors (e.g., SIB, aggression, elopement) across multiple clients.
- Developed and facilitated parent training groups that increased caregiver confidence, collaboration, and treatment consistency across environments.
- Delivered individualized ABA services across clinic and in-home settings, adapting interventions to diverse environments and implementing PECS/AAC to support functional communication.
Certification
- BCBA 1-23-63848
- Oregon & Washington LBA
- Bloodborne Pathogens
- CPR
- Mandated Reporter
- RBT 2021-2023
- Safety Care 2022-Present
- Safety Care Trainer 2024-Present
- Safety Care for Families 2025
Timeline
Clinical Director
Center for Social Dynamics
01.2023 - Current
Clinical Leader intern
Center for Social Dynamics
05.2022 - 01.2023
Clinical Intervention Specialist
Center for Social Dynamics
12.2021 - 05.2022
Behavior Specialist
Center for Social Dynamics
01.2021 - 12.2021
Research Assistant
Portland State University: Child Language Learning Center
08.2019 - 08.2020
BA - Social Sciences
Portland State University
MS - Applied Behavior Analysis
National University
Associate of Arts - Early Childhood Education
Mt. Hood Community College