Meet the Founder & CEO
Dr. Grace Cho, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is the Founder and CEO of Dr. Cho Behavioral Therapy (DBT), formerly known as Autism Behavioral Therapy (ABT). With a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Special Education specializing in autism, Dr. Cho has dedicated her career to establishing high-quality behavioral interventions.
"Dr. Grace Cho has always set her sights on lofty goals. From her clinical vision for DBT to her personal achievements, she has never believed that anything is impossible. In June 2019, she pursued the ambitious goal of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, setting out with a group of like-minded climbing enthusiasts and professional guides to realize this dream. It was an incredibly demanding ascent, both physically and psychologically, and there were moments when the summit felt out of reach. However, through mutual encouragement and an unwavering focus on their shared goal, the team persevered."
In 2006, she founded the first Board-Approved BCBA graduate program at Nam Seoul University (NSU) in Korea—marking the very first program of its kind in Asia—where she served as Chief Professor. Dr. Cho also brings extensive local expertise, having spent 6 years as a BCBA-D for Alexandria City Public Schools, where she supervised special education teachers, trained staff in advanced ABA techniques, and directly improved student behavior and performance. Since 2010, she has shared her knowledge as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University (GMU).
Today, DBT consists of a professional group of BCBA-Doctoral level specialists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs), including highly trained and fully committed behavior therapists who work with our clients on a daily basis.
Her Story In Her Own Words...
"There was one magical phrase that carried her to the summit, spoken not in English, but in Swahili: 'pole pole' (pronounced polay polay), which means 'slowly, slowly' or 'pace yourself.' Those words echoed through her mind every time exhaustion threatened to overcome her, reminding her to slow down and focus on the journey rather than the rush to the top. It helped her put one foot in front of the other until she finally reached her goal: Uhuru Peak, the highest summit in Africa at nearly 19,341 feet! Out of the entire group, only six climbers successfully summit-ed, and Grace was one of them. The wonderful guides constantly repeated 'pole pole,' inspiring the team to persevere until the very end."
Take Away Message
"Throughout her 30+ years in the field, Dr. Grace Cho has known the value of keeping the ultimate goal in sight, putting one foot in front of the other, and pacing herself to achieve optimal success. The phrase 'pole pole' applies to everyone here at DBT—our professionals, our parents, and our clients. There is no rush; it is about embracing the journey, maintaining focus on long-term outcomes, and moving forward with steady determination. Slowly but surely, through a foundation of love, understanding, and evidence-based practices, ABA interventions prove time and time again that every child can succeed and lead a fulfilling, independent life within their community."
.jpg "Dr. Grace Cho, Autism Specialist in Alexandria VA.")