About Us - Collaboration Station Autism Center

Empowering Your Child's Growth Through Collaboration

At Collaboration Station Autism Center, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, connect, and thrive in an environment built around compassion, science, and collaboration.

We understand that no two children — or families — are alike. That’s why our approach focuses on creating personalized therapy plans that support meaningful progress, independence, and joyful engagement in everyday life.

Our center was founded on a simple belief: progress happens best when families, therapists, and communities work together. Through collaboration, we help children build communication, social, and life skills that extend far beyond the therapy room.

Why Choose Collaboration Station

At Collaboration Station, therapy is more than skill-building — it’s relationship-building.

Evidence-Based Practice

We prioritize the use of evidence-based procedures and techniques to ensure the effectiveness of our interventions.

Social Validity

We recognize the importance of socially meaningful outcomes, ensuring our services have a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.

Collaboration

We actively engage with families and other service providers to create a comprehensive and integrated approach to treatment.

Quality of Life

Our focus is on enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals with autism, emphasizing independence and well-being.

Ethics & Positivity

Upholding high ethical standards, our positive approach fosters support, encouragement, and optimism.

Team Based Approach

We prioritize teamwork, uniting professionals, individuals, and families for personalized paths, ensuring exceptional care and outcomes.

Meet The Owner : Kelsey Ruffin

Kelsey, the owner and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) of Collaboration Station, embarked on her ABA journey in 2011 during her undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University. This early exposure laid the foundation for her passion for supporting individuals with autism. Pursuing a master’s degree in special education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA Therapy) at Oakland University further deepened her understanding of ABA principles.

Looking Into Kelsey’s History with ABA Therapy and Her BCBA Certification

In 2016, Kelsey achieved BCBA certification, showcasing her expertise and dedication to evidence-based interventions. Her bright and enthusiastic mindset is evident in her work, reflecting a genuine commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients. Recognizing the importance of her mission, Kelsey took a leap of faith to establish Collaboration Station Autism Center.

The Beginning of The Collaboration Station Dream & Journey

Kelsey’s decision to create a dedicated center demonstrates her determination to provide high-quality ABA Therapy services for individuals with autism and their families. Her journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment, combining education, experience, and passion to form a strong foundation for Collaboration Station. Her vision for the center reflects a genuine desire to positively impact and improve the lives of those she serves.

The Helpers, High-Fivers & Difference-Makers

Behind every high-five is a behavioral technician chosen for their compassion, dedication, and belief in every child’s potential. We build our team with heart so families feel supported and children feel safe, motivated, and confident to grow.

Kelsey Ruffin, Owner/BCBA

Kelsey enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family. She has been in the ABA field for 16 years and loves it more and more everyday. Kelsey loves collaborating and building connections with the clients and their families. Her favorite part of the job is getting to use her inner kid energy! Her favorite kid song is “Owl” by Big Block.

Karissa Ritthaler, Center Manager/BCaBA

Karissa loves working out, gardening, and travel. She has been in the ABA field for 7 years and her favorite part about the field is learning and finding new ways to teach skills and see client breakthroughs! Her favorite kid song is “Hungry” by Big Block.

Phoebe Dickman, BCBA

Phoebe likes going on bike rides and camping. She has been in the field for 9 years. Phoebe’s favorite part about the ABA is seeing kiddos gain independence and building connections with the kids and their families. Her favorite kid song is “Going on a Bear Hunt”!

Ann VanDyke, RBT/Case Lead

Ann Enjoys spending her free time quilting and gardening. She has been in the ABA field for 1.5 years and is pursuing her graduate degree to become a BCBA. She loves making connections with the kids and their families. Her favorite kid song is “Skidamarink”!

Alex Ulewicz, RBT/Case Lead

Alex spends her free time reading and baking. She has been in the ABA field for 4 years! Alex loves celebrating kiddos when they accomplish something new and gain independence with tasks. Her favorite kid song is “There’s a monster in my tummy” by Super Simple Songs!
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Matt Dudun, RBT/Case Lead

Matt enjoys hiking and playing Dungeons and Dragons. He has been in the ABA field for 6.5 years and loves encouraging clients to be authentically themselves and explore new interests (e.g., music, toys, etc.). Matt’s favorite kid song is “Thankful” by Juicebox Jukebox!

Jess, RBT/Case Lead

Loves gardening and spending time with her kids. She has been in the ABA field for 2 years, but has spent 20 years working with individuals with special needs. Jessica loves watching people grow and helping them achieve their goals. Her favorite kid song is “You are my Sunshine”!

Al Mona, RBT/Case Lead

Al spends his free time playing instruments, spending time in nature, and cooking. He has been in the ABA field for 6 years! Al loves helping people and making connections with clients and co-workers that will last a lifetime. His favorite kid song is “Baby Beluga”!

Allison, RBT

On the weekends Allison enjoys going up north! She also loves to go golfing (even though she’s still working on her swing, FORE!)
Allison has been in the field for 3+ years
She loves to bond with the kiddos, as well as seeing them grow!
Her favorite children’s song is: let it go or baby shark

Emily Schreiber, RBT

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Camden Paradis, RBT

Camden enjoys reading and crocheting in her free time. She has been in the field for 1-year and loves seeing the growth of clients and the opportunity to expand her own learning. Camden’s favorite kid song is “I love my white shoes” from Pete the Cat!

Alex Ward, RBT

In his free time Alex likes doing puzzles and sudoku. He has been in the ABA field for 2 years and his favorite part is sharing the client successes with their families. His favorite kid song is “SUPA GOOD” from the movie Dog Man!

Alex Priester, RBT

Alex loves to play golf and has been in the ABA field for 3.5 years. She loves helping kids achieve new goals and hit milestones. Her favorite kid song is “5 little speckled frogs”!

Megan K, BT

Megan loves pending time with my family and going to the beach. She is new to ABA therapy but grew an interest through a childhood friend who has 2 daughters with ASD. She enjoys seeing all of the milestones that the kiddos make throughout their journey in ABA. Megan is excited to help support their continued advancements and milestones. Favorite kid song: “ If you’re happy and you know it” and “ You Are My Sunshine”

Sila, Center Mascot

Sila is new to the ABA community, she loves treats, pets, & long walks. Some even say she is the “goodest girl in the whole wide world”

Enroll Your Child Today!

Accredited Care You Can Trust

We are incredibly grateful for the trust our families place in us and remain committed to offering exceptional care, meaningful connection, and joyful progress every step of the way.

Proudly Accredited by the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) in Partnership with Jade Health

At Collaboration Station, we are honored to be recognized with BHCOE/Jade Health accreditation — a distinction awarded to ABA organizations that demonstrate the highest standards in clinical quality, staff training, client experience, and organizational oversight.

This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to providing compassionate, ethical, and evidence-based care for every child and family we serve.

What This Means for Our Families

Our accreditation signifies that Collaboration Station is dedicated to:

Delivering individualized, child-centered ABA therapy rooted in evidence-based practices
Maintaining strong clinical standards and meaningful outcomes for families
Creating a supportive, inclusive environment for both clients and team members
Investing in continuous growth, evaluation, and quality improvement

Accredited by Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

Learn More About Our Accreditations

Empowering ABA Therapy Journeys : Stories of Progress and Gratitude

We met Kelsey shortly after we received our son’s diagnosis of autism, which can be a very uncertain time for any parent. From day one, we knew we were all in good hands and I now know, we were in the very BEST of hands. The growth that we saw in our son over the next three years of working with Kelsey was absolutely incredible! That hard work has resulted in a thriving, successful, social, and happy little second grader that is learning to navigate his special gifts in this fast paced world we live in. The genuine care that Kelsey showed to our son and the support that she provided to us as his parents is something that we will be forever grateful for. The impact that she has left on our family, will last a lifetime.

– Former Parent

As first-time parents with a child on the Autism spectrum, we were naturally apprehensive about the road ahead. However, Kelsey’s unwavering support and genuine care made all the difference during this crucial period of adjustment for our family. Her kindness and attentiveness towards individuals with disabilities were evident in every interaction we had. Kelsey’s wealth of experience, innovative ideas, and extensive knowledge allowed her to guide us through the many difficult challenges we faced. She consistently went above and beyond to ensure that our son felt confident and at ease. Her dedication and determination to help him succeed are truly inspiring. What impressed us the most about Kelsey was her ability to instill a sense of hope and resilience in our family. She never gives up, and is always pushing to explore new strategies and approaches. With her unwavering support, our son achieved milestones we never thought possible, and his progress continues to astound us.

– Former Parent

We had the pleasure to work with Kelsey for over a year. She was our daughter’s BCBA. We couldn’t have been happier with the service we got as Kelsey was very tentative to details, very organized, very driven to provide the best service to our daughter. She would always suggest ways to improve our daughter’s programs and out of the box ideas that align with ABA. Kelsey was available anytime and every time…regardless if this was viz text, email, or a phone call. We were very lucky to work with Kelsey.

– Former Parent

Kelsey worked with our son from age 4 to 8, she is instrumental in all the progress he has made in his journey and we can’t imagine the same results without her tremendous knowledge and experience. Our son was initially diagnosed with ASD and nonverbal, he didn’t understand “yes” or “no”, he was not potty trained, and had a huge problem with food and texture just to name a few. Over the years we tackled the above problems and more with Kelsey’s very close guidance , great communication and kindness in every step. He has made so much progress that it is surreal to remember the beginning, today he is a thriving 10 year old boy who will talk your ears off and will eat anything you give him. He is a good communicator with so much potential and new surprises everyday. We are truly forever indebted to Kelsey for everything she has done and the love I know she has for my son and all of the kids she helps.

– Former Parent

Stay In The Loop

Read our newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming events, community workshops, program updates, and all the amazing accomplishments happening at Collaboration Station. Don’t miss a moment of growth, celebration, and connection!

Celebrating 1 Year At Collaboration Station

Jun 18, 2025 | Accomplishment

Read Our Newsletters!

A young autistic boy engaged in learning at the Collaboration Station Autism Center. He is immersed in a supportive environment, with attentive educators guiding his educational journey

An autistic girl sitting at a table, focused on assembling a puzzle at the Collaboration Station Autism Center. Her hands carefully piece together the puzzle, reflecting concentration and engagement in the therapeutic aba therapy activity

An autistic girl joyfully engaged in play at the Collaboration Station Autism Center's educational facility. She explores learning through interactive activities, embodying a supportive and inclusive environment for children on the autism spectrum through ABA Therapy

Friends sitting together, collaboratively working on a puzzle. The scene captures a moment of shared enjoyment and teamwork as they piece together the puzzle, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection during ABA Therapy

Start Your Child’s ABA Journey Today at Collaboration Station!

We’re here to support you on your journey. Whether you have questions about our ABA therapy programs, want to schedule a consultation, or simply seek more information, our team at Collaboration Station is ready to assist!