Jessica Hegarty, MA, LBS
Behavior Specialist/Therapist - Downingtown and Berks Offices
$160/hour
Jessica (she/her) is a Licensed Behavior Specialist and a PA-certified teacher with over 25 years of experience working with children and families. She holds a Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and a second Master's degree in Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health and Development. She is currently pursuing her PhD.
Jessica specializes in infant and early childhood mental health, Early childhood Development, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Parent coaching. She incorporates play based therapy, DIR/Floortime, neuroaffirming ABA, Social Emotional Learning, and emotional regulation into her work. She has extensive experience supporting children with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, ODD, PDA, and other developmental and behavioral challenges, including children who engage in aggressive or self-injurious behaviors.
She provides parent coaching focused on behavior, sensory needs, emotional regulation, and parenting strategies, with a special emphasis on supporting neurodivergent children. Jessica also helps families understand and navigate the IEP and 504 process, empowering them to advocate effectively for their children.
In addition to her clinical work, Jessica conducts school visits in preschools, daycares, and elementary schools, where she works directly with children while providing consultation and support to teachers regarding student behavior, classroom strategies, and developmental needs.
Jessica also facilitates parent support groups and infant/toddler play groups, creating opportunities for families to connect, learn, and grow together. As the parent of five neurodivergent children, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work, allowing her to support families with compassion, understanding, and practical guidance.
Special Area of Focus - Children ages 0-12 (and families) • Infant and toddler emotional regulation • Neuroaffirming care for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) • School Visits and Support (especially preschool) • Down Syndrome • Developmental Delays • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) • Disruptive/Aggressive/Self-Injurious behaviors • Special education and school needs • Parent training/Coaching • Intellectual Disabilities • Emotional regulation • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) • Social skills • Social Emotional Learning (SEL) • Naturalistic Teaching Strategies (NATS)
Education/Experience - B.S. Elementary Education, B.S. Early Childhood Education, Cairn University • MA Special Education and Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, Ball State University • Pediatric Therapeutic Services, (Independent Contractor for MCIU), Conshohocken PA • Access Services (Independent Contractor), Orwigsburg, PA • Behavior Interventions, Inc., King of Prussia, PA• West-Mont Christian Academy, Pottstown, PA • Sylvan Learning Center, Pottstown, PA • Thornbury Preschool, Cheney, PA • Twin Valley School District, Elverson, PA • Owen J. Roberts school District, Pottstown, PA • Whole Children Learning Center, Newtown, PA.
Special Training/Certificates - Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate, Early Childhood Education • Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate, Elementary Education • Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) • Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) • Board Certified Behavior Analyst-in process (BCBA) • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)