about us
Serving patients & families since 2018
Early intervention is instrumental in shaping the academic and behavioral success of children as it addresses their developmental needs and lays the groundwork for building solid foundations.
Our Dedicated Team
Passionate Professionals Committed to Your Growth, Well-being, and Journey Towards Personal Empowerment
Catherine Christmas, M.Ed., BCBA
Founder & Executive Director
Having served as a Clinical Director at an autism center near Denver, CO, Cathie led programs focused on early intervention, after-school therapy, social skills groups, and parent training. Prior to that, as a Behavior Therapist, she worked in various settings, including public schools, center-based programs, and client homes, gaining valuable experience in implementing effective behavioral interventions.
Cathie holds a Masters in Education with a focus on curriculum and instruction from Concordia University, Portland, complementing a Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language & Audiology from the University of Nevada, Reno. In addition, she holds a Behavioral Analysis Certification from the Florida Institute of Technology.
With Cathie’s expertise in applied behavior analysis, deep understanding of speech pathology, and extensive experience in autism intervention, she is dedicated to creating inclusive environments and transforming the lives of individuals with autism.
Riza McSpadden
Director or Operations
Joining the Innovations team in 2021, Riza is a value driven and adaptability focused administrative leader. Riza has an educational background in Communications and Human Developmental & Family Relations from the University of Colorado Denver and has over 6 years of experience working in administrative management settings.
She is driven to create a welcoming, supportive, and judgement-free space for all children, families, and employees. She has had the unique privilege of starting with the company as one of the administrative assistants and has been able to foster and cultivate long-term relationships and the cultural environment that IDS prides itself on today.
She provides a bridge from the knowledge of staff relations to daily center operations to ABA therapy and our clinical team as our Director of Operations.
Sydney McCoy, BCBA
BCBA/Clinical Supervisor
Sydney is a Colorado native, who began her journey in Applied Behavior Analysis after earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Fairmont State University in West Virginia. In 2017 she dove into providing ABA services in the community setting.
Sydney earned a Master of Arts in ABA from Southeast Missouri State University in 2022. Since then, she’s provided services in clinics, homes, telehealth and school consultations. Sydney has experience supporting individuals ages 2-21 working on a variety of skills. Sydney is passionate about promoting socially valid behavior change and equipping parents with the skills and knowledge to support their children in the natural environment.
In addition to her role as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at Innovations Developmental Solutions, Sydney is the Quality Behavior Solutions Safety Care Trainer. Sydney provides training to IDS employees on crisis incident prevention and management.
Elaina Demko, BCBA
BCBA/Clinical Supervisor
Elaina graduated from Ball State University with a master’s of art in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2021 and then became a BCBA in July 2021.
She has experience working in ABA for the past 7 years. She has worked in both center and home settings with children aged between 2-12 years old diagnosed with autism and a variety of other developmental disabilities.
Elaina has a passion for working with children and making a positive difference in their lives. In her free time, she also enjoys spending time with her dog and being outdoors hiking and skiing.
Cicely Navarro
Client Intake
Cicely is a dedicated billing specialist and intake coordinator at Innovations. With a background as a special education paraprofessional and experience as a registered behavior technician, she brings invaluable expertise to her role.
Outside of work, Cicely is a devoted special needs mom who cherishes time with her family. She finds solace in skiing down slopes and nurturing her garden. With a passion for helping others and a love for nature, Cicely embodies resilience and compassion in all aspects of her life.
Early intervention is instrumental in shaping the academic and behavioral success of children as it addresses their developmental needs and lays the groundwork for building solid foundations.
Dispelling Myths About ABA
Unfortunately, ABA therapy has been subject to various misconceptions over the years. Let’s address some common myths and why they are not correct:
Myth: ABA is coercive and controlling.
Fact: At Innovations Developmental Solutions, our ABA therapy is rooted in assent-based care, emphasizing collaboration and consent. We prioritize building a trusting relationship with our clients, fostering a positive and empowering therapeutic experience.
