Sorah has spent her entire career studying human behavior, teaching people new skills, and helping families navigate the challenges that come with a developmental disability diagnosis. She has done this work in clinics, in homes, in schools, in research labs, and on stages at international conferences.
Sorah has published peer-reviewed research, supervised the next generation of behavior analysts, and built a practice from the ground up in South Bend because she believes families here deserve better options than what a corporate ABA chain can offer.
The Fluency Connection – Led by Dr. Sorah Stein, PhD, BCBA-D, CSE, CSES
Dr. Sorah Stein is the founder and Clinical Director of The Fluency Connection. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst at the Doctoral level (BCBA-D), an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE), and an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator Supervisor (CSES). She holds a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast and has more than 30 years of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Our Story
The Greater Mission of Our Practice
The ABA therapy landscape in Indiana has changed dramatically over the past decade. Private equity-backed companies have entered the market in force, opening locations across the state and competing for the same families. Many of these companies provide competent services.
But the model they operate under, where clinical decisions are influenced by investor expectations and growth targets, is not the only way to do this work. Our approach aligns with the Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Guidelines published by the Council of Autism Service Providers, which set the consensus standards for evidence-based ABA care.
The Fluency Connection exists because Sorah believes there should be a different option. A practice where the clinical director is the owner. Where caseloads are small enough that the BCBA actually knows every learner. Where the focus is on quality of outcomes, not volume of billable hours. Where a parent can call and talk to someone who will remember their name next time.
That is not a criticism of larger organizations. It is simply a recognition that some families want something different, and those families deserve to have that choice.
Learn more about our Comprehensive ABA and Focused ABA services.
30+ Years of Experience
Credentials and Expertise
We proudly provide center-based ABA services throughout Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. The Fluency Connection is accredited by the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ), a nonprofit accreditation program for ABA organizations.
Education
- PhD, Behavior Analysis, Queen’s University Belfast
- Affiliation with Indiana University South Bend
Board Certifications and Licensure
- BCBA-D (Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Doctoral Level)
- CSE (AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator)
- CSES (AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator Supervisor)
- Indiana Licensed Behavior Analyst
Research and Publications
Dr. Stein has published peer-reviewed research in academic journals on topics including:
- Ethics in sexual behavior assessment and support for people with intellectual disability
- The importance of sexuality education for children with and without intellectual disabilities
- Alternate means of functional assessment for sexually inappropriate behavior
- The intersection of applied behavior analysis and sexual health. Dr. Stein leads our sexuality education program for individuals with developmental disabilities, one of the few of its kind in the Midwest.
Speaking and Presentations
- Keynote speaker, 1st International Conference on Applied Behavior Analysis, Philippines
- Presenter at Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis Annual Conference
- Guest speaker at Indiana University South Bend campus events
- Thrive Insider: Read Dr. Stein’s interview with Thrive Insider for a deeper look at her career, her approach to clinical work, and her perspective on stigmas surrounding developmental disabilities.
Our Philosophy
What We Believe
We believe every learner deserves programming that is designed for them specifically, not pulled from a template.
We believe data should drive clinical decisions, not business targets.
We believe parents should be active partners in their child’s therapy, not passive recipients of progress reports.
We believe that a small, focused practice can deliver outcomes that match or exceed what the largest organizations in the field can offer.
Get in Touch
Ready to Get Started?
If that sounds like the kind of practice you want for your family, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact us for a free consultation.
We’re currently accepting new clients with no waitlist.
Request a Free Consultation
Contact Information
Phone
(574) 204-2745
welcome@southbendautism.com
Address
2909 S Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46614
Hours
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun: Closed