Valeriia Manchuk: A Psychologist Expanding Autism Therapy Access Through Evidence-Based Innovation
When Ukrainian psychologist Valeriia Manchuk arrived in the United States, she brought with her more than professional training—she carried a mission. Combining a background in behavioral science with a growing interest in artificial intelligence, she began developing a tool to address one of the most pressing challenges in autism care: access.
For decades, psychological research has reinforced the importance of early behavioral intervention in supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Among the most validated approaches is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – a therapy grounded in behavioral science and extensively studied for its positive impact on communication, adaptive skills, and emotional development.
Yet despite the strength of the evidence, access to ABA-based care remains highly uneven. Long waitlists, diagnostic delays, therapist shortages, and logistical barriers often leave families without timely support during the most critical developmental years.
This disconnect between research and reality is what drives Ukrainian clinical psychologist Valeriia Manchuk. With a strong foundation in evidence-based psychology and digital mental health, she is developing a digital platform to help make behavioral therapy more accessible—especially for families in underserved or remote areas.
“Families in rural areas or without insurance coverage often have no realistic access to ABA therapy,” says Manchuk. “That’s where the idea began.”
Currently in research and development, her digital therapy concept is not just a tech project—it’s a reflection of Manchuk’s academic work and clinical values. The platform she’s building aims to combine therapist-approved ABA programs with adaptive digital tools, allowing children to engage with therapy content remotely, while therapists or caregivers monitor progress and tailor interventions.
What sets the project apart is its foundation: it is being developed with a focus on scientific rigor, usability for both clinicians and families, and respect for clinical workflows. Instead of replacing therapists, it aims to support them, offering consistency between in-person sessions, home environments, and educational settings.
“This is about continuity of care, not replacing human connection,” Manchuk explains. “We want to strengthen the bridge between professional expertise and everyday practice.”
In 2025, Manchuk received the Innovation of the Year Award for her contribution to advancing access to behavioral therapy through intelligent systems. The award recognized her unique ability to unite clinical methodology with forward-thinking technology design, with special emphasis on the platform’s potential to reach underserved communities. This acknowledgment helped bring attention to the importance of scalable, science-backed solutions in digital mental health—especially for children on the autism spectrum.
The platform’s concept has received strong endorsements from Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and parents of children with ASD. Many note that what’s missing in current care models is a scalable digital solution that connects professional strategies with families’ real-life needs. “This is exactly the link we need,” one BCBA noted in early feedback.
The development of the platform is now in the active research and planning phase. Both the scientific architecture and technical design present a complex set of challenges, but Manchuk is approaching them with methodical precision. She is currently forming a multidisciplinary team of leading specialists in behavioral science, digital product design, and AI integration—working to ensure that every element of the platform is grounded in both clinical validity and user experience.
Importantly, the platform also addresses a less visible—but equally critical—challenge: delays in diagnosis. In many cases, children wait years for a confirmed ASD diagnosis before accessing support. Manchuk’s initiative aims to offer families earlier access to therapy tools, even before formal diagnosis—creating a pathway for early behavioral support and reducing the time lost during administrative waitlists.
Behind the research, design, and strategy is a professional shaped by more than academic training. Having left Ukraine during the war, Manchuk understands what it means to adapt in new environments—personally, professionally, and emotionally. That experience informs her approach to therapy as well: flexible, human-centered, and rooted in resilience.
“This isn’t just a tool,” she says. “It’s a way to extend help where it hasn’t reached before.”
As research continues and development advances, Valeriia Manchuk’s approach exemplifies a new generation of psychological professionals—those who blend human compassion with scalable design thinking. And while the app is still in development, the work behind it is very real.
