Dorothy Winter M.S. , BCBA
Dorothy Winter, M.S., BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Owner/Director of EBS ABA, where she leads a team dedicated to providing high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis services. With a strong commitment to fostering personal growth and independence, Dorothy combines clinical expertise, leadership, and a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients.
Her journey into ABA began while volunteering in her son’s classroom, which led her to become a substitute teacher and later a special-education teacher. A pivotal moment came when a parent emphasized that behavioral skills mattered more than curriculum mastery, inspiring Dorothy to pursue ABA. She went on to teach middle school students with profound Autism Spectrum Disorder, creating innovative programs like ASD Awesome Snacks Delivered to teach real-world skills. Dorothy believes that practical life skills—such as dressing, personal hygiene, and meal preparation—are essential for independence and long-term success.
As the Owner/Director of EBS ABA, Dorothy oversees administration, care planning, supervision, staff training, and direct clinical work. She is passionate about creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can thrive. EBS ABA accepts insurance through BCBS, Aetna, and Cigna, and also offers professional training classes in PCM Crisis Management and HSI CPR/First Aid. Dorothy’s approach blends empathy, evidence-based practices, and a deep understanding of human behavior, empowering clients and staff to achieve meaningful, lasting growth.
• Purdue Global - MS
• FABA
• Providing meals for the homeless weekly
What do you attribute your success to?
She attributes her success to the love that she has for making a difference in the lives of others and their families that have autism. She started out as a substitute teacher and after working in an autism class she found her calling and went back to school so that she can become an ABA therapist and now has her own business and is currently working in her doctrine.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You can have a career that you love one that not only fulfills you personally but also makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You can truly make a difference in the lives of others, but you have to be resilient, stay strong, and never give up. Success in this field comes from persistence, dedication, and a commitment to helping those who rely on you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge right now is being a new business owner and needing exposure so I can help other children and their families. Florida's Medicaid system is a nightmare right now. They're really trying to streamline it because there truly is a lot of fraud in this field - it's just so easy to do. But it's costing everybody, including those that are doing it the right way, and those of us that are trying to start the business legitimately and work with these clients that truly need the service. I haven't gotten all of my Medicaid credentialing yet, so I had to employ with another company for my Medicaid kids until I can get my credentialing. They want brick and mortar, a clinic, not a home office, so you have to take on that financial responsibility as well.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being able to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families is what drives me. I see so much potential in what they can do that people won't give them credit for. I'm a firm believer that these kids need to be able to live their life - they need to be able to get dressed, take a shower, and function independently, because at some point, moms and dads aren't going to be able to do it. I don't baby these kids - you have to treat them just like anybody else, because they're still a human being. In my personal life, we're a big sports family. We like to go to NFL games, college games, hockey games. We're a small family - I only have one child who's a grown adult now. My husband's also an entrepreneur, and my son is currently working on becoming an entrepreneur as well. We love family time, sports, going to the beach, and taking family vacations - just anything to relax and unwind.
Locations
EBS ABA
Spring Hill, FL 34610