We take pride in our employees and their dedication to providing excellent care for each individual.
Bethany Johnson, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA
Director of Research & Innovation
Bethany Johnson is the Assistant Director of the Behavior Support Department. Bethany has been working with the NDAC for 7 years. She can be found focusing her energy in overseeing and facilitating training systems and continued education programs for the staff. She received her Masters of Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Cincinnati.
Bethany is energized in knowing that she may have the chance and opportunity to help clients reach their communicative potential within the groups that matter the most to them, their friends and family. Her goal is to be a catalyst for change in the right direction, all while involving clients in the treatment planning process, and ensuring that empathy and experience come first and the process comes second.
You can find Bethany working on an art project, doing a puzzle, or baking a mean loaf of banana bread (her kitchen table always has a brown banana on it) while listening to the Harry Potter audio books, as well as spending time with her family in Grand Forks – all while keeping her two young sons and husband out of trouble. Occasionally Bethany might be cheering on her husband at a local Rubik’s cube competition for speed solving.
Rachel Perryman, M.S, BCBA, LBA
Rachel Perryman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the Behavior Support Department at the North Dakota Autism Center. Her role includes overseeing Registered Behavior Technician’s implementation of programming and behavior plans for her caseload. Rachel has been working with the North Dakota Autism Center for 3 years.
Rachel earned her undergrad in Rehabilitation and Human Services at the University of North Dakota, and her Master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University.
She has a drive for excellence, a passion for organization and stimuli development, and creating efficient systems to best serve the needs of her clients. In Rachel’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She enjoys long walks, yoga, painting, and thrifting. When time allows, she enjoys traveling to new places
Shelby Achter, M.S., BCBA, LBA
Shelby Achter is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in the Behavior Support Department at the North Dakota Autism Center. Shelby’s role involves managing a caseload of clients and their individual goals. Shelby also collaborates with a team of staff to create and implement individualized behavior intervention plans for each child. Shelby earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College, Moorhead and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from The University of North Dakota.
Shelby’s love for the field started with seeing the growth in the clients she worked with. In grad school she became passionate about the science of Applied Behavior Analysis and its implementation. She now uses her passion for the science to meet each child where they are at and develop individualized plans to reach their goals.
Outside of work you can find Shelby binging a Netflix show, in a cycling class or at the lake. She also spends time with her husband and their rescue dog snowshoeing or playing at the dog park.
Susanne Kahler, M.A., BCBA, LBA
Susanne Kahler is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the Behavior Support Department at the North Dakota Autism Center. As the Caregiver and Family Specialist, Susanne manages parent training activities to promote parent skill growth and generalization of goals from the clinic setting to the home and community. Susanne started working with the North Dakota Autism Center in the summer of 2022.
Susanne earned her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in autism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Susanne is currently pursuing her doctorate in Integrated Behavioral Health through Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
Susanne first began her journey of autism and behavior therapy when her oldest daughter was diagnosed with the disorder at 3 years old. Susanne’s passion for therapeutic interventions developed when she saw the progress that her daughter made with early intervention. She wanted to bring that positive experience to all caregivers and families who experience autism and other related disorders.
When Susanne is not working with the North Dakota Autism Center families, she is spending time with her own modern-day Brady Bunch family (3 boys and 3 girls). Susanne enjoys traveling, being in nature, and watching the sun set from her back porch. The extroverted introvert likes to recharge her batteries by napping, reading, crocheting, and cooking.