Walter Umana Co-Founder & Clinical Director
Walter is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in more than 30 states. He is a New York State Certified Teacher with a bilingual extension in Spanish. With over 18 years of experience in special education and behavioral health, Walter leads the multidisciplinary team at NYC Behavior Specialists, providing high-quality ABA therapy to children and families across New York. He has trained and supervised clinicians in both school-based and private settings, handling cases with complex behavioral profiles, developmental disabilities, and underserved populations in NYC. His areas of specialization include functional behavior assessments, behavior intervention planning, skill acquisition and verbal behavior programs, staff training and supervision, parent coaching, and crisis prevention and de-escalation. He has expertise working with learners across the autism spectrum, ADHD, global developmental delay, and trauma-related behavioral presentations. Walter combines technical expertise with emotional intelligence to foster measurable progress, empowerment, and lasting transformation for clients and families.