An Inspiration for Success

Payton Boudreau, CAS ’18 and SEHS ’20, always dreamt of opening her own learning environment, but she never imagined it would happen so soon. In 2020, just a few months after graduating from OU, she founded INSPIRE Autism with the help of friend and fellow alumnus, Anna Jenkins, CAS ’18 and SEHS ’20. INSPIRE Autism is an agency that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children on the autism spectrum. Payton’s husband, James Boudreau, CAS ’18 and SEHS ’20, joined the team a year later. The story of their success begins with their individual discoveries of a shared passion.

Payton’s interest in autism originated when, as a preschool teacher, she encountered children who struggled in a traditional learning environment. She came to OU seeking a psychology degree in the hopes of acquiring skills to help such children overcome their challenges. Similarly, James always knew he wanted to work with children in some capacity, so when he and Payton were introduced to ABA therapy — a psychology-based practice that assists individuals on the autism spectrum with social and adaptive skills — both knew they had found their calling.

Jenkins, on the other hand, discovered her desire to help children on the autism spectrum while working at the Oakland University ABA Autism Clinic. It was here that Jenkins and Payton first bonded over their shared “passions and values,” says Payton. The two worked one-on-one with preschool-aged children on the spectrum, helping them with communication, adaptive and behavioral skills.

The Oakland University Lowry Center for Early Childhood Education — an education program for children 18 months to five years of age — occasionally children from the ABA Autism Clinic joined in group activities and demonstrate their newly acquired skills. The interaction between the clinic and preschool solidified Payton’s future.

Payton Boudreau, CAS ’18 and SEHS ’20

“This was where I truly fell in love with ABA therapy,” says Payton. “During these generalization sessions, we could see how effective ABA principles were because our kids did well in the new environment. Also, being in the Lowry Center helped us see what skills our children would need to work on to have more success in a typical preschool setting.”

Payton and Jenkins are thankful for the breadth of experience they received in the clinic, working with associate professor and clinical director, Jessica Korneder, Ph.D., and supervisor Kelsey Ruffin.

Anna Jenkins, CAS ’18 and SEHS ’20

“We gained the skills needed to run an effective ABA program,” says Jenkins, “including managing caseloads, supervising team members and supporting center operations.”

While Payton and Jenkins gained practicum experience in the ABA Autism Clinic, James found work offsite through an adjunct professor who operated a local ABA agency. James loves that many of the ABA professors concurrently work in the field. Not only do they help students find job placement, but “they’re also well versed in everything you need to learn.”

James Boudreau, CAS ’18 and SEHS ’20

James, Payton, and Jenkins praise the OU ABA program’s small cohorts, with groups of around 20 students progressing through the program together. It allowed them to facilitate collaborative relationships, such as the one they had with Dr. Korneder, who recruited them to research new ABA certification standards, helping her modify syllabi as well as update and develop courses.

“Anna, James and Payton exemplified exceptional clinical and academic skills,” Korneder says. “They were such an asset to the ABA Autism Clinic, OU’s ABA undergraduate and graduate curriculum, and are supportive alumni.”

Fully equipped with knowledge and experience, Payton and Jenkins graduated during the COVID pandemic. Not wanting to delay her dreams, Payton decided to create her own opportunity by becoming a business owner amid a global shutdown. She reached out to her friend and trusted colleague, Jenkins, for help. In September 2020, INSPIRE Autism began to service its first client. James came on board in October 2021.

Slowly, through word of mouth and connections with pediatricians and diagnosticians, INSPIRE Autism grew. Now, Payton and James oversee operations for three locations, with Jenkins as the clinical director of their Novi center. They employ eight board-certified behavior analysts and 30 registered behavior technicians. Additionally, they give back by taking on OU practicum students, a task they feel well-equipped for after having a close hand in writing the syllabi that guide their education.

Photo provided by Inspire Autism

Like OU’s ABA Autism Clinic, the focus at INSPIRE Autism is early intervention (first diagnosis through age five), giving children the greatest chance for success. One-on-one therapy is paired with group work that “replicates the school environment and prepares kids for school placement,” explains James.

James, Payton and Jenkins have much to say about what makes INSPIRE Autism a special place, including the intimate groups of similarly aged children that allow relationships to develop.

“I think we’ve created an environment where the children become close to each other,” says Jenkins, “and that’s going to generalize when they go to a new environment.”

“Another thing that’s important to me is the amount of supervision,” adds Payton. “Keeping caseloads small helps everyone focus on the children and offers plenty of support for all involved, including the parents.”

The three School of Education and Human Services alumni believe in the power of creating a joyful learning environment where children on the autism spectrum are not only respected as individuals but are given the tools to help them navigate future learning environments with independence.