About – Optimal Beginnings

Hi there!
I’m Dana!

Dana understands the challenges of juggling all the parts of her life. She is a working mom, spin class junkie, runner, and kid-chauffeur. When she is not at work, she can be found spending time with her two children: Addison and Jake. She volunteers in the community and enjoys the many gifts of friendships.

Dana has over 20 years of professional experience in treating and educating children and adolescents with developmental, intellectual, emotional and behavioral difficulties using applied behavior analysis. She received her doctoral degree in Health and Behavior Studies with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Columbia University. While completing her doctoral work, she worked with children aged 18 months to 16 years old.

The Philosophy

At Optimal Beginnings, we believe that starting something new is a part of life. Every day people encounter new opportunities, people, ideas, and situations. In embracing those moments, we develop the behaviors that make it possible for us to live in this world.   Our goal is to empower children and young adults diagnosed with developmental delays so they can empower themselves; so they will grow to be independent individuals whose thoughts, opinions, and ideas are solicited, accepted, and valued.

We are partners in that journey for the families that we serve!

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How we’ve evolved

Founded in 2007, Optimal Beginnings, LLC began serving clients in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia. The company was started to provide the best quality behavior analytic service in the greater Washington, D.C region. Dr. Gold wanted to implement a service model that was distinct and comprehensive. Seeing a need for a whole family approach to behavior analysis as a treatment for Autism, she set out to develop a company that provided support to parents, siblings, and the children in those families diagnosed with a developmental disability.

My son is 5 years old, and has had the pleasure of working with Optimal Beginnings for over a year now. The staff is amazing. My son is always so excited when it is time for his sessions. My son has made improvements with social as well as verbal behaviors. He is now able to speak to people (without hesitation), and they understand what he is saying. I have also seen his education advance with the help of his therapist's’ encouragement and dedication.
Brittany
My sons have been receiving ABA services from Optimal Beginnings for over six years. OB has a wonderful team of therapists that have continually addressed our kids' behavioral and learning needs. Our boys have made tremendous progress over the years and this can be directly attributed to OB's consistency, professionalism, and genuine desire to see our kids succeed.
Jean
The OB team continually balances the practical with the possible on both the individual and family level. Open communication coupled with a genuinely caring environment fostered through the clinic and its incredible staff has served to create a platform of empowerment for our son and family that serves us well today and will carry us into the future. With OB by our sides, we know that we will never be alone on our journey!
Kristen

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