Meet Your Franchise Support Team
At Essential Speech and ABA Therapy, our support team is the backbone of every clinic’s success. With expertise spanning clinical care, operations, billing, marketing, and compliance, we’re here to guide and empower each location from the ground up. United by a shared commitment to quality and compassion, our team ensures franchisees have the tools, training, and partnership needed to provide exceptional care to children and families.
Who We Are
Shelby Nelson
PhD, BCBA - Director of Clinical Quality
Shelby Nelson grew up in a suburb just outside Kansas City, KS, and earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas. During her time there, she began working with children on the autism spectrum providing respite care, which quickly evolved into formal training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This experience sparked a passion for the field and led Shelby to pursue a Master’s in Special Education with an emphasis in Autism Intervention at the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, followed by a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis from Cambridge College in Cambridge, MA.
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Since entering the field in 2012, Shelby has witnessed the evolution of ABA and is committed to promoting compassionate care, assent-based practices, and neurodivergent-affirming services. She strives to instill these values in the practitioners she mentors daily.
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At Essential Speech and ABA Therapy, Shelby serves as the Director of Clinical Quality. Shelby’s work in the franchise ABA model has provided her the opportunity to mentor and educate ABA clinic owners on how to cultivate ethical, effective service environments. She is passionate about a model that grants BCBAs autonomy over clinical decision-making while enabling owners and office managers to manage business operations and staff. This structure ensures that BCBAs remain focused on client progress—the true heart of high-quality care.
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Shelby currently resides in Denver, CO with her husband and two children. She enjoys making pottery, hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. Her travels are always centered around good food and meaningful connection.
Jessica Camp
M.S. - Director of Franchise Operations
Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, Jess brings over 14 years of healthcare experience—and a deep love for structure, support, and people—to her role as Director of Franchise Operations at Essential Speech and ABA Therapy. With a bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and a master’s in Healthcare Administration, she blends clinical understanding with operational excellence.
Jess didn’t plan to land in the world of ABA—but once she did, she fell in love with the mission. For the past six years, she has been passionate about bringing the best and most current approaches to operational support. From intake processes and compliance to training, HR, and daily workflows, she helps build systems that work, so that therapy teams can focus on what matters most: delivering life-changing care to children on the autism spectrum.
With a participative leadership style, Jess believes in empowering others to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Her greatest professional joy comes from watching franchise owners grow into strong, values-driven leaders who build impactful services in their communities.
Outside of her role, Jess enjoys traveling, discovering new places, and expressing her creativity through the arts. She fully embraces the title of World’s Best Auntie and is a proud dog mom. Whether she’s streamlining a process or planning the perfect birthday gift, her heart is always in the details—and always with the people she serves.
Ben Gerding
Director of Growth
Ben Gerding has always been drawn to purpose-driven work. With a background in business and a passion for mission-focused growth, he found the perfect fit at Essential Speech & ABA Therapy, where expanding access to care means changing lives. Born in Denver and now based in Cincinnati, Ben leads the company’s development strategy, helping bring early intervention services to more families across the country.
At the core of Ben’s role is strategic growth. He works closely with prospective franchisees, guiding them through every step of the process. From initial outreach and market research to launch and long-term support, Ben serves as their main point of contact as they transition from candidate to owner. He also leads marketing and brand strategy, overseeing campaigns that raise awareness, attract new partners, and support franchisees as they grow. Behind the scenes, Ben relies on data to inform decisions, track performance, and ensure every clinic is set up for sustainable success.
What motivates Ben most is knowing that each new clinic means more children gaining access to high-quality care, and that behind every location is a dedicated local owner building something meaningful in their community. He’s passionate about helping mission-driven entrepreneurs succeed while expanding a network rooted in excellence, compassion, and real impact for families.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys traveling and taking road trips with his wife, golfing, and caring for their cat, Hazel. A proud University of Colorado alumnus, he applies his professional skills through ongoing involvement with CU, serving on the Leeds Scholars Alumni Board, the Leeds GOLD Board, and mentoring current students and recent graduates.
Jasmine McCaskey
M.A., BCBA - Supervising Director
Jasmine McCaskey is a Houston-based BCBA with a heart for helping children and a passion for supporting clinical excellence across teams. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Jasmine moved to Houston in 2019 after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders from the University of Alabama, followed by her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of West Florida. She has been certified as a BCBA since 2019 and working in the field of ABA since 2016.
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Driven by a deep belief in compassionate care, Jasmine is dedicated to delivering individualized, empathetic support for every learner. She brings warmth and intention to her work with autistic children and their families, ensuring that services are not only evidence-based, but also nurturing and respectful of each child’s voice and strengths.
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Jasmine joined the Essential Speech and ABA team in 2024 as the Supervising Director, where she plays a vital leadership role in both clinical support and operational continuity. Beyond overseeing client programming and RBT performance, she steps in to provide direct clinical oversight during any lapse in BCBA coverage across franchises. Whether virtually or on-site, Jasmine ensures all services remain compliant, consistent, and focused on client progress—even during transitions. Her presence brings stability, mentorship, and high standards to teams navigating change.
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Outside of work, Jasmine is a certified yoga teacher who enjoys working out, diving into psychological thrillers, and proudly wearing the crown as a reality TV connoisseur. She’s a devoted dog mom to one spoiled pup and will never turn down a meal from Chick-fil-A—her all-time favorite.
With a calm demeanor, sharp clinical insight, and a collaborative approach, Jasmine brings a unique blend of structure and support to the team, helping clinicians, families, and franchises thrive.