About Brooke Walker, PhD, BCBA-D
Educational Background & Credentials
Brooke Walker, PhD, BCBA-D, has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for more than 20 years. She earned both her M.S. in Behavior Analysis and Therapy and Ph.D. in Rehabilitation with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis and Therapy from Southern Illinois University.
Throughout her career, Dr. Walker has practiced across several states (including IL, MO, NY, NJ, CA, OR, NV, FL, and HI), and has been licensed as a behavior analyst in six states. Her experience spans to work in clinic, home, and school-based services, as well as research, consulting, higher education, and organizational leadership. She has held leadership positions within large ABA organizations, taught master’s-level courses in Applied Behavior Analysis, and published research in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
A particular focus of Dr. Walker’s work is generative learning—teaching beyond directly taught skills so that children develop the ability to derive, apply, and generalize new learning with less direct instruction over time. Her areas of expertise include Relational Frame Theory (RFT), equivalence-based instruction, Precision Teaching, fluency-based learning, and other behavioral approaches designed to maximize meaningful learning and promote increasingly independent skill acquisition.
This background has shaped the clinical approach at Transformation ABA. In addition to foundational communication and functional skills, programming can extend into more complex language, verbal behavior, relational learning, and academic readiness. The goal is not simply to teach children what to say or how to respond to a specific question, but to build the underlying learning skills that support true listening with understanding and speaking with meaning.
Intervention emphasizes comprehension, flexible and generative language, meaningful conversation, and the ability to apply previously learned skills in new situations. Ultimately, the goal is to help children become increasingly independent learners—building skills that allow them to learn more from their everyday experiences, relationships, and environments with less direct teaching.
After many years of working across the country, Dr. Walker returned home to the Springfield, Illinois area to start her family and establish Transformation ABA. She brings the breadth of those experiences home with a commitment to providing thoughtful, individualized, evidence-based services to children and families in her community.
In her free time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her son, dog, and 3 cats, and is soon to be a monther of two boys.
Areas of Expertise:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment
• Applied Behavior Analysis for Children and Adults
• Generative Learning Approaches
• Functional Behavior Assessment
• Parent Training and Family Collaboration
• Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies
Serving families throughout Springfield, Chatham, Sherman, Rochester, Athens, Taylorville, and all of Sangamon County, Illinois.
Our Approach to Therapy
At Transformation ABA, we provide evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis therapy that goes beyond traditional ABA approaches. Our services are delivered by highly trained registered behavior technicians and supervised by Dr. Brooke Walker, a doctoral-level board certified behavior analyst serving the Springfield, Illinois area.
We provide evidence-based ABA therapy using only research-based models delivered by highly trained therapists and monitored by a Ph.D. level behavior analyst. Our approach to ABA is comprised of a family/guardian collaborative approach focused on generative learning. In contrast to some ABA approaches that focus on teaching each and every individual response and/or skill, our approach focuses on teaching “learn to learn skills,” skills when established automatically generate emergent responses/skills (i.e., responses/skills that have not been directly taught).
This approach is rooted in cutting-edge research from behavior analysis and has been proven effective across diverse settings including:
• In-home therapy sessions throughout Sangamon County
• Community-based learning opportunities
• Parent training and family coaching
• Skill generalization across environments
When you choose Transformation ABA, you can expect
Initial Consultation: Schedule a free consultation to discuss your child's needs and our approach to ABA therapy. We'll explain the assessment process and answer all your questions.
Comprehensive Assessment: Dr. Walker conducts a thorough behavioral assessment in your Springfield area home, including functional behavior assessment and skills evaluation.
Individualized Treatment Plan: Based on assessment results, we develop a customized treatment plan focused on your family's priorities and your child's unique needs.
One-on-One Therapy Sessions: Highly trained RBTs deliver therapy sessions in your home under the close supervision of Dr. Walker, ensuring quality and consistency.
Ongoing Parent Training: Regular parent training sessions equip you with strategies to support your child's progress between therapy sessions.
Data-Driven Progress Monitoring: We continuously track progress and adjust interventions based on data, ensuring your child is making meaningful gains.
Family Collaboration: Your input and goals guide every aspect of treatment. We work as partners in your child's development.