Author: Brad Zelinger – CEO and Founder of Stride Autism Centers
My older sister, Marissa, is the reason behind Stride Autism Centers. Marissa has Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder on the autism spectrum.
I have a vivid early childhood memory of calling out, “Hi, Marissa!” and hoping she would answer me. While I was often met with her beautiful smile, her voice remained silent.
To this day, my family and I long to truly communicate with her and that yearning has fueled a lifetime of purpose.
I remember being a shy kid in elementary school, but I also remember Marissa. We went to school in the same building, and her unique cries would often echo through the hallways as she transitioned between classes. Those sounds always cut through to me. I would hear them from my own classroom and feel a knot in my stomach, wondering: Is she okay? Is she hurt? Does she need something? I wanted so desperately to help her and understand what was going on, but I was just a child myself, busy in my own class and unable to do anything to make a difference. That feeling of wanting to help but being unable to is a driving force behind Stride.
Over time, my shyness transformed into fierce advocacy. I remember a specific moment during a family trip to Washington D.C. We were at a museum, and my parents were momentarily distracted. Marissa began to wander off towards a large group of students. Without a second thought—and in full view of that entire group—I reached for her hand to ensure she stayed with us and was safe. From that moment on, I have been her most vocal and active advocate.
Turning a Personal Mission into a Professional One
Growing up, supporting my sister’s special needs was not just a part of our family life, it was central to everything we did. It ignited a deep-seated passion to help others like her.
This drive led my grandparents to establish the Goldstick Initiative at the University of Illinois College of Education over 20 years ago to advance research and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the field of communication disorders. A decade ago, I launched Reverse Rett Chicago, an annual fundraiser for Rett Syndrome, the autism-related disorder affecting Marissa. Since then, we’ve raised over $3 million for Rett research. These efforts were always deeply personal – an extension of our family’s mission to help Marissa and others.
My journey to found Stride happened during my post-MBA finance career. Despite landing a job I’d worked so hard for, I felt a deep longing for more meaningful work. It was then that I found a way to apply my business background to a mission-driven pursuit that directly supported people with disorders like my sister and touched my heart.
A friend suggested I read the book Autism Matters by Ronit Molko, which outlined the lack of quality autism services throughout the country. I realized that my years of family advocacy and business training had prepared me for this exact moment: to build Stride from the ground up to provide the resources I wish my sister had always had. This work wasn’t a new direction for me; it was the culmination of everything I’d learned and cared about.
Finding My Calling in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
The more I learned about the life-changing power of ABA, the more passionate I became. I spent a year traveling the country to study the best possible model for designing my own ABA center.
Learning about the power of ABA was both a revelation and a bittersweet moment. It was an enormous opportunity to help others, but it also made me reflect on my sister’s past. I grew up participating in her therapy sessions, and while they were filled with love, they lacked the tangible progress we all hoped for. I came to realize that if those dedicated therapists had the tools and techniques of ABA, my sister might have had more independence and had her voice heard.
The Stride Difference: Early Intervention and Gold Standard ABA
This realization fuels Stride’s mission. My hope is to provide other families with the resources and tools I wish my sister had. This is why Stride is committed to providing the highest standard of ABA therapy, with a focused approach on early intervention for young children.
At Stride, we understand that early intervention is paramount. The graph above illustrates a crucial truth: the earlier effective treatment begins, the greater the potential to bridge developmental gaps. Just as it was harder to make a significant difference later in life for my sister, we know that the greatest impact for children with autism comes when support is provided during their formative years. This understanding shapes our unwavering commitment to reaching children as soon as possible, empowering them with foundational skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
We specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) because it is the gold standard for autism therapy, backed by decades of research demonstrating effectiveness. Our focus is delivering top-tier ABA for young children. This specialization allows us to channel all our resources and expertise into what makes the biggest, most impactful difference.
Beyond the specific ABA techniques, our center-based model is a cornerstone of success. It provides an environment rich with social interaction, which is vital for children to develop relationships and learn social cues so they can successfully navigate school and beyond. In our centers, children engage with peers and therapists in varied structured and natural settings, building communication and social skills that are often difficult to replicate in other environments, like home-based therapy. At Stride, we enable children with autism to graduate successfully into neurotypical kindergarten classrooms, and in doing so, pave the path towards an independent and joyous life.
