Little Leaves of Millersville, MD

Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cherice Cardwell

Center Director

About Little Leaves

Little Leaves is an intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program for young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Designed for children up to age 6 who have been recommended for ABA therapy, Little Leaves effectively provides early autism services and behavior therapy to young children in need.

Teacher and student playing together in red car

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Our Approach

Little Leaves provides high-quality, center-based ABA therapy for children ages 1 to 6 with autism. Our program is individualized, comprehensive, and designed to help each child build the skills they need to thrive. As a BHCOE-accredited provider, families can trust that their child is receiving care that meets the highest standards in the field.

Our extensive program includes:

School Preparedness
Preschool-Like Setting
Caregiver Training
Individualized Therapy Plan
1:1 Client-to-Clinician Ratio

Admission Requirements

Your child is under the age of 6
Your child has an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis
Your child has commercial insurance

Accepted Insurance

Hear From The Families At Little Leaves Millersville, MD

Learn how Little Leaves solutions, clinicians, and leadership have shaped and improved the lives of our clients and families.

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My child is so well cared for by the staff at Little Leaves. I can tell they really care and love my child and are committed to their growth. They are also great with communicating what my child is going through at the center and are eager to involve our family so we can continue working on tasks at home.

Millersville, MD
- Parent
We love all the support our daugther is getting and how the all the techs are working with her at her pace.

Millersville, MD
- Parent
I have been extremely impressed with Little Leave services. My child has been there since October, and I have witnessed so much progress in her communication skills and overall tolerance. The staff are kind, friendly, and maintain open communication, which makes a huge difference. As a healthcare provider who understands how challenging it can be working with special needs individuals, I feel completely confident leaving her in their competent hands. Thank you Little Leaves, for making such a positive impact.

Millersville, MD
- Parent

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Explore A Day in the
Life at Little Leaves

Imagine your child stepping into a warm, welcoming environment where every moment is thoughtfully designed to encourage growth, learning, and fun. From the moment they arrive, they are supported by caring professionals who guide them through a day filled with meaningful interactions, engaging activities, and structured learning opportunities.

Want to experience “A Day in The Life” in person?

Our Team

Our program is supervised by master’s- and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and delivered by expertly trained therapists.

Within Little Leaves, we have created a model for our professionals to collaborate on treatment approaches, share best practices, and continuously learn from each other. Your child will be supported not just by his or her immediate team, but also by the decades of experience and expertise of all of our clinicians, many of whom have studied and trained in the finest ABA programs in the world.

Rakheti Garrett-Mills has been with Little Leaves Behavioral Services for one year. She began her journey as a Behavioral Technician at the Millersville location and, within her first six months, transitioned into the role of Office Manager. Rakheti recently earned her master’s degree in public health and brings a strong passion for leadership and operational excellence in healthcare settings.
Cherice R. Cardwell M.S.Ed., BCBA, LBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst. She has served children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families for over 25 years domestically and internationally. Prior to joining Little Leaves, she worked at several institutes throughout France and North Africa developing behavior analytic programming, staff and family training. She helped establish the very first BACB approved course sequence in France and partnered with the University of Nantes to offer its first University Diploma in ABA. Cherice earned a B.S. Psychology from Towson University, a M.S. Ed. in Special Education from Bowie State University, and a post-graduate certificate in Behavior Analysis from Saint Cloud State University.
Abigail DiGate, M.Ed., RBT, is a Registered Behavior Technician pursuing national certification in the field. She has worked as an RBT since 2019, gaining ABA experience with children with autism both in-home and in-center throughout the Baltimore-D.C. Metropolitan area. Abby graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. During her time at the University of Maryland she assisted in a child development research lab and worked in developmental clinics. She is a recent graduate from a dual Master’s in Special Education with an Applied Behavior Analysis Certificate at George Mason University.
Alyssa Lidard is an inspiring and accomplished Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst with nearly a decade of expertise in early intervention for children with autism. Her work spans school, home, and clinic settings, where she tailors innovative, evidence-based strategies to help children thrive and achieve their fullest potential. Before joining Little Leaves, Alyssa made a profound impact on the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Over six years as a Registered Behavior Technician and Training Coordinator, she mentored aspiring professionals, developed impactful training programs, and contributed to the growth of ABA as a field, solidifying her reputation as a leader and advocate for best practices. Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Services from Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland, and a Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Her passion for empowering children and families is matched by her commitment to excellence and innovation in ABA. Alyssa is driven by a vision to create meaningful, lasting change, ensuring every child she supports has the tools to grow, succeed, and shine. Her dedication and expertise make her an invaluable resource and a trusted partner for families and communities.

Our Credentials

committed to continuous improvement, BHCOE accredited 2022, 3-year accreditation

Little Leaves was recently awarded the highest level of accreditation by the BHCOE as a leader in high-quality, center-based early intervention resources for young children with autism.

Our Stats

30

Total Families Served Since Opening
50,000

Hours of Therapy Delivered
32

Full-Time Clinicians At This Location
2021

Year Founded

FAQs

Little Leaves primarily offers center-based services for young children with autism which are run in a preschool-like setting. At the center, each client works one-on-one with a trained behavior technician on individualized goals with a focus on social communication, social interactions, and school readiness skills. Our program runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. During the day, children have the opportunity to participate in individual therapy time, small group activities with peers, and activities of daily living. While many clients are at our centers for the full day, an individualized schedule is developed for each child based on his/her therapeutic needs. Little Leaves also works with clients in their homes, daycares, and preschools, most frequently when clients are ready to transition from a Little Leaves center into community setting.
Little Leaves serves children with Autism. With our focus on early intervention, Little Leaves works primarily with children from the time they are diagnosed until they enter kindergarten.
Little Leaves only provides ABA therapy but we regularly collaborate with a child’s speech and OT providers to ensure a coordinated team-approach to treatment. At our centers, we are usually able to accommodate outside therapy providers who would like to come in to see clients during the day.
Contact us to learn more about our services and if they are right for your family.
Little Leaves is in network with many insurance plans and fully supports families in accessing and using their insurance benefits. Not all insurance companies, however, cover ABA for the treatment of autism. Please visit our Insurance page to learn about our plans and how to research whether your plan covers autism. You can also feel free to reach out to us, and we can help you research your benefits.

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Contact Little Leaves of Millersville, MD

If you are ready to get started and meet the following requirements, please call us or submit the form below and a member of our Family Support team will contact you within 24-48 hours

Meet our
Center Director

Cherice Cardwell

Center Director

Little Leaves of Millersville, MD

About Little Leaves