Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Olson.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began working in the field of ABA right after college, originally planning to pursue a different career path. Within just a few months, I fell in love with supporting neurodivergent children and teens and knew I wanted to continue growing in the field, leading me to pursue my M.Ed. After completing my degree, I realized I was also passionate about supporting parents and neurodivergent adults in ways that promoted greater autonomy and collaboration, which ultimately led me to start Shine Behavior Consulting.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges in starting Shine was simply making families aware that our services existed. Because insurance coverage for adults is often limited, Shine provides services through both private pay and the Texas Medicaid waiver program. Through the waiver program, families are able to access services at no cost.
I’ve found that networking and collaboration have been some of the most valuable parts of growing Shine. Not only has it helped connect families with resources, but it has also allowed me to learn so much from other professionals in the community, including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and music therapists.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Shine Behavior Consulting?
Shine Behavior Consulting was created with the goal of providing compassionate, individualized support to neurodivergent individuals and their families across the lifespan. While many services primarily focus on young children, Shine specializes in supporting teens and adults, with an emphasis on autonomy, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, communication, and meaningful quality of life outcomes. At the same time, Shine also supports younger individuals and families who may be looking for guidance with emotional regulation, communication, and relationship-building, even without a formal diagnosis. Services are highly individualized, recognizing that there is no “one size fits all” approach to support. Shine is especially passionate about helping families feel heard, understood, and empowered while creating realistic and sustainable strategies that improve daily life.
What sets Shine apart is the strong focus on collaboration and relationship-building. Shine works closely with parents, caregivers, schools, physicians, therapists, and other professionals to better understand the “why” behind behavior while helping individuals build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections with others. In addition to private pay services, Shine also provides services through the Texas Medicaid waiver program, helping make support more accessible for families. Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Shine has grown largely through trust, relationships, and word of mouth within the community, and has become known as a compassionate, neurodiversity-affirming resource for individuals and families seeking support.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The Reason I Jump & Uniquely Human are both phenomenal books!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shinebehaviorconsulting.com
- Instagram: @shinebehaviorconsulting
