About Spectrum Support Services

Mary Searls is the owner/operator of Spectrum Support Services, L.L.C. Mary is a wife, mother, and Richmond native. In her free time, she enjoys soaking up every moment of motherhood, spending time with her dogs, lifting weights, reading, and increasing her knowledge of mental and behavioral health. Mary began her career in early intervention and maintained an interest in working with the youngest clients throughout her career. While she specializes in early intervention and pediatrics, she finds joy working with clients of all ages. As her career developed, and she experienced motherhood firsthand, Mary took a special interest in parent training, support, and consultation, which is what her career is now focused on. Mary believes that behavioral intervention should be collaborative approach that puts equal emphasis mental, physical, and behavioral aspects of a person's life. She prides herself on delivering person centered, trauma informed care.

Mary received an undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in elementary education. She then returned to VCU for a graduate degree in Early Childhood Special Education. She completed both a post- baccalaureate and a post-masters certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the Florida Institute of Technology. She currently holds a Virginia teaching license (ECSE), is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and is licensed as a Behavior Analyst through the Virginia Department of Health. Mary is a certified ADOS-2 examiner and completed the ADOS-2 introductory and advanced trainings with Dr. Norm Geller, Ph.D. Mary has over ten years of clinical experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She has provided ABA and educational services in the clinic (early intervention), home, community, and school settings and has worked in both direct and supervisory roles. 

Through her work experience, Mary recognized a need for greater access to affordable, timely, and comprehensive testing for ASD, as well as compassionate and thorough training and support for parents and caregivers of individuals on the spectrum. Spectrum Support Services, L.L.C. was created to meet these needs. In the Richmond area, ASD testing is costly. It takes months, often a year or more, to secure an appointment. By offering direct pay with reduced testing rates, payment plans, and weekend hours, Mary hopes to make ASD testing more accessible to those who need of it. 

After receiving a diagnosis of ASD, many individuals are referred for behavior therapy. They are typically put on lengthy wait lists for treatment that often does not meet the scheduling needs of busy working families. When treatment is secured, many parents and caretakers report feeling like a passenger in their loved one's treatment. Our parent/caregiver support and training offers families the flexibility to secure the help they need to feel confident in their ability to support their child's unique needs. Our consultation can help fill the waiting period, while clients sit on wait lists for direct therapy. From a single consultation to talk you through available resources and help you navigate the decisions that come with caring for someone with special needs, to ongoing training focused on behavioral strategies, we believe that parents and caregivers are instrumental to the success of their children.