Sunshine ABA Therapy

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Bloomington, IN
Sunshine ABA Therapy

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) & woman-owned organization that provides ABA Therapy, Occupational Therapy & Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Therapy

04/10/2026

April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, a time to celebrate the profession and its role in helping people engage in daily activities.

Here at Sunshine, collaboration is paramount to the success of each kiddo. Occupational Therapy is part of that holistic collaborative approach.

Today we introduce Courtney Cowden, the “Director of Outpatient Services” here at Sunshine. Her story is inspiring and illuminating. Listen as she speaks of the paramount importance of OT and why that collaborative holistic approach is paramount to the growth of our kiddos.

04/09/2026

We are so proud to announce that our very own BCBA, Jad David Makarem, will be speaking tomorrow at the legendary ‘HABA’s Hoosier Happy Hour’ CE event! His presentation will focus on; Building and Sustaining Successful ABA Clinics in Rural Communities.

Jad Makarem was born in Detroit, Michigan, and spent much of his childhood in the United Arab Emirates. In 2014, he returned to Detroit to attend Wayne State University. After working as a behavior technician for two years, Jad pursued a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis at Western Michigan University, graduating in 2022.

Jad became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in June 2023 and joined Sunshine in March 2024 as the Lead BCBA for the Mitchell, Indiana location. Throughout his career in ABA, Jad has worked with a diverse range of clients across different ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultural communities.

These experiences, along with his own perspective as a minority, have shaped Jad’s commitment to reducing barriers to accessing ABA therapy. His work at Sunshine focuses on developing service delivery models that expand access to ABA services in rural and underserved communities.

Currently, Jad is leading the development of Sunshine’s fourth location in Linton, Indiana. Building on the success of the Mitchell location, he aims to continue supporting the growth of accessible, inclusive ABA services for communities that have historically had limited access to care.

Register for the event below!

Member Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iiYX_UYUSgqllaHdcLZdzA

Nonmembers:
https://www.abainternational.org/Shopping/Item-Listing.aspx?intItmKey=40710

04/08/2026

Hearts were melting during a recent ‘Touch-A-Truck’ event at our Linton campus.
The local Linton Fire Department graced us with their presence, allowed our kiddos to have an incredible experience being inside their truck and learning about the skills of being a firefighter. 🚒

We want to shoutout Firefighters Rice and Keller
who led this incredible and connective event. They were both patient, informative,
professional and so fun to be around!

This event was an incredible example of what community looks like. Thank you
Linton Fire Department for everything!

04/06/2026

On March 23rd, Bloomington Police Department launched the ‘Blue Envelope’ Program. This initiative is designed to support drivers with autism by providing a blue envelope to hold essential documents, such as vehicle registration, driver’s license, and insurance information. The envelope also includes a section for the driver's name, communication preferences (such as being non-verbal), and specific tips for police interaction. In the event of a traffic stop or accident, drivers are instructed to inform the officer, “I have a blue envelope.”

The program aims to enhance understanding, communication, reduce anxiety and magnify safety during interactions between law enforcement and individuals with autism, dementia, anxiety, or Down syndrome.

Recently, our CEO and the President of ‘Monroe County Autism Foundation’, Ashley Lehman, sat down with the IDS to discuss this new initiative.

*See story in our comments!*

04/03/2026

IT’S 🥯T MONTH!!!

April is ‘National Occupational Therapy’ (OT) Month, celebrated annually to recognize the vital role practitioners play in helping people improve their quality of life, regain independence, and participate in daily activities. Established by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in 1980, this month highlights the profession’s impact on health and well-being across all ages.

All month, we will be featuring exclusive interviews and content surrounding our brilliant OT specialists here at Sunshine ABA Therapy!! Stay tuned!!!

04/02/2026

We are excited to announce that Courtney Cowden has been promoted to “Director of Outpatient Services”. She will be overseeing OT, ST, diagnostics and social work disciplines.

Courtney Cowden was born and raised in Jasper, Indiana. She then moved to Bloomington to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Indiana University. After finishing her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Indiana University-Indianapolis she moved back to Bloomington to begin her career.

Courtney has been a licensed and registered occupational therapist for six years and has spent her entire career working in pediatrics, primarily in collaboration with behavioral analysts and speech therapists. She has experience in and has a great passion for child-led, play based therapy, sensory integration, collaboration, program development, and mentorship. In 2024 she was named the Indiana Occupational Therapy Association’s Co-Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the year.

When she’s not working, Courtney can be found traveling with her husband and two sons, playing with her sons, niece, and nephews at local parks, and eating at local and unique restaurants around Bloomington.

04/01/2026

We have some exciting news to share! We are thrilled to announce that Zeed Zubaidi has officially stepped into the role of ‘Director of People’ here at Sunshine ABA Therapy. Zeed brings over 8 years of HR and Risk managment experience in the field of ABA, he has a deep understanding of what it takes to support the clinicians and staff who make a difference in our families' lives every day.

At Sunshine, our people are our greatest asset. With Zeed leading our People Operations, we're more committed than ever to making Sunshine the best place to work in the industry.

Please join us in giving Zeed a warm welcome (and maybe a few high-fives) as he takes on this new journey with us. We can’t wait to see the positive impact Zeed will continue to have on our team and our mission.

“A fun fact about me, I love to travel! I've been to 5 different countries in the past 3 years!”

Welcome to the new role, Zeed!

03/31/2026

Dear Sunshine Families,

Today we officially launch, ‘Sunshine Connection’. This is a dedicated support group designed specifically for the parents and caregivers of our learners. A space for you.

At Sunshine ABA Therapy, we know that your journey as a caregiver is filled with unique joys and challenges. We are committed to supporting not just our learners, but the entire family unit.

This is a judgment-free zone where you can come to recharge, share resources, and connect with others who truly understand the daily experience of raising a child with unique needs. Whether you have a specific concern to discuss or just want to listen and connect with fellow parents, you are welcome here.

Meeting Details
* When: Tuesday, March 31
* Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
* Where: Virtual

Please RSVP by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer.

We are so grateful to have you as part of the Sunshine family and look forward to building this community together.

03/27/2026

🚨 FREE Water Safety Program for Kids! 🚨

The Monroe County YMCA is offering Safety Around Water, a FREE program designed to teach children essential water safety skills.

- Build confidence around water
- Learn what to do in an emergency
- Develop safe habits in and around pools

This is a great opportunity for schools, daycares, and families to help keep kids safe, especially as we head into warmer months!

- We also offer FREE swim lesson level assessments to help place your child in the right program.

- Check out the flyer for details and scan the QR code to register, or use the links below:

Safety around Water: https://monroe.recliquecore.com/programs/30000070?locations=15

Swim Lesson Level Assessment:
https://monroe.recliquecore.com/programs/30000088?locations=15

Let’s work together to keep our community safe around water!

03/25/2026

We are grateful for another week of onboarding new staff. We feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to train the next generation of RBTs! ☀️

03/24/2026

We want to wish our Executive Director, Mikaela Freeman a Happy Birthday! 🥳🎉

Mikaela leads Sunshine’s day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth coordination across clinics, departments, and administrative systems. Her calm leadership style and big-picture mindset help support teams and streamline processes at every level. She has been with us since the very beginning. Mikaela is our lighthouse, our conduit and our glue. She is truly a source of inspiration and guidance for us all.

Thank you Mikaela for everything you have done and continue to do. We are blessed to have you on our team. Everyone wish her a very Happy Birthday! ☀️

03/23/2026

Dear Sunshine Families

At Sunshine ABA Therapy, we know that your journey as a caregiver is filled with unique joys and challenges. We are committed to supporting not just our learners, but the entire family unit.

With that in mind, we are thrilled to announce the launch of Sunshine Connection, a dedicated support group designed specifically for the parents and caregivers of our learners.

A Space for You

This is a judgment-free zone where you can come to recharge, share resources, and connect with others who truly understand the daily experience of raising a child with unique needs. Whether you have a specific concern to discuss or just want to listen and connect with fellow parents, you are welcome here.

Meeting Details
* When: Tuesday, March 31
* Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
* Where: Virtual

Please RSVP by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer.

We are so grateful to have you as part of the Sunshine family and look forward to building this community together.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is specifically for the parents and caregivers of our learners.

Address

443 S Landmark Avenue
Bloomington, IN
47403

Telephone

+13174009271

Website

https://sunshineabatherapies.com/

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