Kyo - East Bay CA

Families deserve more options and more flexibility. That’s why we create individualized ABA therapy options based on your child’s unique needs and interests, with dedicated support to help wherever you need it most. Kyo’s motto “Make Every Moment Count” reflects our core mission of promoting effective and efficient learning that is tailored to each child. Family time is a crucial ingredient in developing the minds of people with autism and is important to maintaining a healthy family dynamic. Kyo clinicians endeavor to preserve family time outside treatment while maximizing progress potential. OUR PROCESS Assess. Understand the client’s unique profile and personality Implement. Set treatment goals and schedule that optimizes progress and family time Tune. Measure outcomes; review and adjust treatment accordingly

Kyo was founded in San Francisco, CA in 2005 by Melissa Willa and Colin Davitian, under the name Gateway Learning Group. As a BCBA and former special education teacher, Melissa was inspired to start her own company, providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services to children with autism and developmental disabilities.

“I got started in ABA during my college years after reading an influential book, written by the parent of a child with autism, called “Let Me Hear Your Voice”.  I was studying to become a teacher and found the principles and methods associated with ABA to be fascinating. I was eager to receive training in this approach and connected with two families in upstate NY who were hiring college students to work with their children with autism. 

Working with these two little boys was life-changing for me. I learned how effective ABA can be at helping a child to expand their language and social skills. I found so many moments of joy in teaching and connecting with these kids and their parents. And I witnessed the struggle that so many families faced back then to access quality services. I felt inspired and compelled to bring this effective intervention to as many kids and families as possible. I went on to pursue in-depth studies of ABA at Teachers College, Columbia University where I obtained a Master’s Degree in Behavior Disorders. Simultaneously I worked in school settings, teaching general elementary education and special education. All of these experiences helped to shape the foundation of our services at Kyo, where we implement behavioral interventions within a developmental framework.” -Melissa Willa, MA, BCBA – Kyo’s Chief Clinical Officer & Co-Founder