Our Story

At Priorities ABA, we help children with autism reach their full potential through personalized therapy. Since 2001, when Apple and Russell Boyce founded us in North Carolina, we’ve focused on evidence-based programs tailored to each child’s needs. 

We start with a diagnostic evaluation to see if your child has autism and to learn about their unique strengths and challenges. Based on this, we create a treatment plan just for them. Our therapy happens where it’s most effective — in Learning Centers, your home, or in the community. 

Our goal is to help your child grow and reach their full potential. We work on improving communication, building social and play skills, encouraging flexibility, and reducing behaviors that get in the way of learning. 

Priorities ABA is a part of LEARN Behavioral, a trusted national leader in autism care. We’re dedicated to supporting your family and helping kids lead happy, fulfilling lives by building their essential skills. 

Our Team

Emily Cogdell, HSP-PA, BCBA
Regional Clinical Director

Emily Cogdell, HSP-PA, BCBA

Regional Clinical Director

Emily is a regional clinical director with Priorities ABA, serving Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Lee, and Moore counties, as well as the surrounding areas. She graduated from Brigham Young University in 2001 with a bachelor of science in political science, minoring in sociology. After much deliberation, Emily enrolled in East Carolina University and received her master of arts in clinical psychology in 2006, later becoming a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and a licensed psychological associate (LPA), with Health Services Provider Status (HSP-PA). She began working with Priorities ABA in 2004, delivering 1:1 ABA therapy to children on the autism spectrum. Emily works in home, community, and school settings, designing ABA programs around the strengths and weaknesses of children with autism.

“When I started my graduate degree, I wanted to work with children who had been abused. I met Dr. Jeannie Golden and decided to take her ABA courses as electives. My original internship fell through, and I needed to start my hours, so I started doing therapy with a child with autism. After three days, I decided that I wanted to work with children on the autism spectrum. I changed my internship focus and have loved it ever since.”