About Me

Hi! I’m Danielle Hand. I am currently training to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and am practicing under qualified supervision. I am also the founder of Haven Hands. I’m an individual with autism and the mother to a teenage daughter with autism, and our experiences have shaped not only who I am, but why I do this work. My personal journey offers insight into the challenges, strengths, and needs an individual with autism may experience, while honoring that every person is truly unique. This knowledge goes far beyond textbooks or clinical training—it comes from lived experience, deep empathy, and real-life advocacy.

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My passion is to support individuals with autism in a way that honors who they are. I do not believe in changing a person to fit society’s expectations. Instead, I focus on changing environments, improving communication, and offering tools that help individuals feel safe, understood, and supported. When environments are more accommodating and communication is more accessible, challenging behaviors naturally decrease because their needs are finally being met.

 

I am especially committed to helping parents feel confident, empowered, and connected to their child. Therapists are in a family’s life for a short time, but parents are forever. When families learn effective, compassionate strategies and have a better understanding of their child’s communication and sensory needs, the positive impact lasts a lifetime. My goal is to teach parents not just what to do, but why it matters—so they can help their child grow in independence, self-advocacy, and emotional well-being.

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In addition to my clinical work, I also run a small shop featuring self-designed apparel and accessories created to promote autism awareness in a simple but intentional way. Designing has always been something I genuinely enjoy, and this shop allows me to combine creativity with purpose—offering pieces that reflect respect for neurodiversity and meaningful support for the autism community.  (Please feel free to message me with any special requests!)

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At Haven Hands, I specialize in:
• Supporting individuals with autism ages 6-21
• Parent training and coaching
• Social skills and communication development
• Increasing independence in daily living
• Reducing challenging behaviors through environmental support
• Supporting transitions into community based opportunities

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