When Ukrainian psychologist Valeriia Manchuk arrived in the United States, she brought with her not just her professional expertise but a dedicated mission. With a background in behavioral science and a burgeoning interest in artificial intelligence, she has started creating a tool aimed at tackling one of the most urgent issues in autism care: accessibility.
For years, psychological studies have underscored the significance of early behavioral intervention in aiding children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Among the most established methods is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a therapy grounded in behavioral science that has been extensively validated for its positive effects on communication, adaptive skills, and emotional development.
However, even with robust evidence to support it, access to ABA-based care remains inconsistent. Long waitlists, delays in diagnosis, shortages of therapists, and logistical challenges often prevent families from receiving timely support during crucial developmental stages.
This gap between research and practical application is precisely what motivates Valeriia Manchuk. With a strong grounding in evidence-based psychology and digital mental health, she is in the process of creating a digital platform aimed at making behavioral therapy more accessible—particularly for families in underserved or rural areas.
“Families in rural locations or those without insurance frequently have no feasible access to ABA therapy,” Manchuk explains. “That’s where the idea originated.”
Currently in the research and development phase, her digital therapy concept transcends a mere tech initiative; it embodies Manchuk’s academic principles and clinical values. The platform aims to integrate therapist-approved ABA programs with adaptable digital tools, enabling children to interact with therapy content remotely, while therapists or caregivers track progress and customize interventions.
What differentiates this project is its scientific foundation: it is being crafted with a focus on clinical rigor, user-friendliness for both clinicians and families, and alignment with clinical workflows. Rather than replacing therapists, the platform seeks to assist them, ensuring continuity between in-person sessions, home environments, and educational settings.
“This is about maintaining continuity of care, not substituting human interaction,” Manchuk emphasizes. “Our goal is to strengthen the link between professional expertise and everyday practice.”
In 2025, she was awarded the **[Innovation of the Year Award](https://abcarnival.com/award)** for her efforts in enhancing access to behavioral therapy through intelligent systems. This recognition highlighted her exceptional ability to merge clinical methodologies with innovative technological designs, especially regarding the platform’s potential to serve underserved communities. This accolade further underscored the need for scalable, evidence-based solutions in digital mental health, particularly for children on the autism spectrum.
The platform’s concept has garnered strong support from Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and parents of children with ASD. Many have pointed out that current care models lack a scalable digital solution that connects professional strategies with the real-life needs of families. “This is precisely the connection we need,” commented one BCBA in early feedback.
The platform is currently in the active research and planning stage. The scientific framework and technical design present intricate challenges, but Manchuk is tackling them with systematic precision. She is assembling a multidisciplinary team of specialists in behavioral science, digital product design, and AI integration to ensure that every aspect of the platform is rooted in clinical validity and user experience.
Crucially, the platform also addresses a less apparent but equally significant challenge: delays in diagnosis. In many instances, children face extended waits for a confirmed ASD diagnosis before receiving support. Manchuk’s initiative aims to provide families with early access to therapy tools, even prior to formal diagnosis, thus creating an avenue for early behavioral support and minimizing time spent on administrative waitlists.
Beyond research and design, there is a personal story shaping this professional. Having fled Ukraine during the war, Manchuk understands the complexities of adapting to new environments—personally, professionally, and emotionally. This experience influences her therapeutic approach, making it flexible, human-centered, and rooted in resilience.
“This isn’t merely a tool,” she asserts. “It’s a means to deliver assistance where it hasn’t been available before.”
As the research progresses and development continues, Valeriia Manchuk’s approach embodies a new generation of psychological professionals—those who intertwine human compassion with scalable design thinking. While the app remains in development, the foundations being laid are very much a reality.
