Erin Smydra, BCBA LBA

Hello, I am co-founder and clinical director of Building Blocks.  I am proud of our personalized and caring staff and believe everyone has potential to be their personal best.  I feel fortunate to assist in that journey.  I have been providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services since 2006 and have been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) since 2012.  I received my bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and have earned my master’s degree in special education from Virginia Commonwealth University and Masters in Public Policy from George Mason University.  I have worked in clinics, schools, and at the Virginia Department of Education providing education, therapy, supervision, staff training, as well as support teachers and administrators. I love working with children with disabilities and their parents, as well as supporting other clinicians and professionals in the field. I really appreciate my current position as a Building Blocks team member.  In her spare time, you can usually find me outdoors, and riding my bike around parks and our city by day and binge watching silly shows by night.   I have two great kids that keep me on my toes and a mischievous bulldog who also keeps me active.  

Mandy Smith: BCBA LBA

Hello, I’m Mandy Smith.  I'm a Behavior Analyst and Clinical Director of Building Blocks. I specialize in Verbal Behavior, Behavioral Skills Training and Social-Emotional development for learners on the Autism Spectrum. I also enjoy helping children build skill in inclusive and community settings. I received my Masters in Clinical Psychology with a focus in child and family services from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.  I have been working with children with Autism since 2010 and received my BCBA certification in February of 2016.  I started my career working in home ABA therapy.  I have since worked in public school and home settings with elementary and preschool students. I love to help create encouraging and collaborative learning environments for the great people who work with me as well as clients and their families. Personally, I am a self-proclaimed foodie. My favorite things are getting lost in a book, spinning and going on adventures with my 3 kids and husband to different places to see new things.

Courtney Beavers: BCaBA

I am a BCaBA at Building Blocks with over 4 years of experience in ABA. I am currently completing coursework at FIT on the practice of behavior analysis to continue to pursue my career goals. I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, and our two dogs!

Karly Fazio: BCaBA

I have been with Building Blocks since April of 2020. I graduated from James Madison University with my Bachelors in Psychology in 2018. I am currently working as a BCaBA for Building Blocks. I have a big family and in my spare time I enjoy spending time with them and my new baby nieces!

Kennedy Brogan: Behavior Technician

My name is Kennedy Brogan. I have been a behavior technician with Building Blocks since the beginning of January. I graduated from Salisbury University in May of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In my free time, I like to roller skate and spend time with my two kittens.

About Building Blocks

Building Blocks is a family owned Richmond based company dedicated to providing the highest quality and most current research-based services to children and young adults with Autism Spectrum or Behavioral Disorders.

We offer a family centered approach. All new clients receive an in-depth initial assessment which is conducted in the home with family members and caregivers present. A treatment plan is developed which will include clear, objective and measurable goals that are based on the needs of the individual and  family. All assessments are conducted by Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBA) who are licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine.

We employ the most current research based therapies which have been endorsed by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The National Institutes of Health (NIH),The U.S. Surgeon General, The American Medical Association, and The American Academy of Pediatrics.