Yrenka Sunderlin, MS, BCBA, LBA

Yrenka is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with an extensive background working with individuals with special needs. Her path to a career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began more than 30 years ago in a Level 12 residential facility, where she quickly realized that traditional interventions weren’t producing lasting, meaningful change. Determined to make a difference, she pursued evidence-based practices, recognizing ABA as the most promising path forward.

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After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of La Verne, Yrenka went on to complete her Master’s Degree in ABA at California State University, Los Angeles, where she studied under Dr. Randy Campbell, Dr. Michele Wallace, and Dr. Henry D. Schlinger, Jr. She also trained extensively under Kari Berquist, Ph.D., BCBA-D, in methodologies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Discrete Trial Training, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Pivotal Response Treatment, Verbal Behavior, Positive Behavior Support, Functional Communication Training, and Functional Behavior Assessments. She completed both the Autism Certification Program and the UCLA PEERS® certification program.

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Yrenka is a proud member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International and the Idaho Association for Applied Behavior Analysis. She is committed to lifelong learning, regularly subscribing to scholarly journals, attending continuing education opportunities, and collaborating closely with other professionals in the field.

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Beyond clinical practice, Yrenka has contributed as an adjunct faculty member at National University (Camarillo), teaching BCBA coursework for three years. She has also served on advisory boards, including Reid's Gift in Ventura County, CA, as a Board Member for the Autism Society of Treasure Valley, ID, and as an Ambassador for the Boise Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she is passionate about outreach, offering parent education workshops for Spanish-speaking communities across Portland, Los Angeles, and Boise.

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Author & Social Skills Advocate

In 2023, Yrenka and her son Gavin Sunderlin launched the Social Skills Projects, a collaborative initiative designed to empower children, teens, and young adults with critical social and emotional tools. Their first release, The Adventures of Bouncy Bear and Curious Cat: A Flexible Thinking Journey, introduced young readers (ages 5–8) to the importance of flexible thinking through storytelling, interactive exercises, and practical lessons.

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In 2025, they followed with a second book in the series:
📖 The Adventures of Bouncy Bear and Curious Cat: A Perspective-Taking Journey — a heartwarming story that encourages empathy, curiosity, and the essential skill of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. This book, like its predecessor, closes with playful, interactive activities designed to help children practice what they’ve learned.

Together, these titles lay the foundation for an eight-part series that blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to create resources that are both research-informed and accessible. Their mission is to nurture flexibility, perspective-taking, communication, emotion regulation, and other vital skills that help children thrive.

Yrenka and Gavin also co-authored My Book: A Journey Through the Super Skills Workbook, a dynamic, hands-on resource for teens and young adults with ADHD and Autism. This workbook combines ACT and ABA to teach essential life skills in a way that is both practical and engaging.

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Publications

• The Adventures of Bouncy Bear and Curious Cat: A Flexible Thinking Journey (2023)

• The Adventures of Bouncy Bear and Curious Cat: A Perspective-Taking Journey (2025)

• My Book: A Journey Through the Super Skills Workbook (2023)

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All books are available on Amazon.

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