About G.I.F.T.

Growing Individually For Tomorrow

Comprehensive ABA Therapy

Our Mission

Founded on empathy, advocacy, and a personal mission to fill a critical gap in services for young children and their families – we aim to bring world-class treatment to the greater Tampa Bay area using a team of experts to provide progressive, comprehensive, and compassionate care in one centralized location. We want to work collaboratively with parents and make it more convenient for them to receive the help their children need to reach their full potential. We believe that intensive early childhood intervention with specialized and seamless treatment, education, and care is the best path to foster growth, development, and integration into society for children with neurological, developmental, and behavioral disorders.

Our Story

G.I.F.T. Comprehensive Care for Children provides seamless treatment by offering assessment, diagnostic, and multidisciplinary services in one centralized location. Our focus is on early intervention with a curriculum and treatment program developed by the esteemed Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism (CCCCA). CCCCA is part of the Cleveland Clinic health system. Cleveland Clinic is ranked as the number two hospital system in the United States for 2024, per U.S. News & World Report, and is ranked as the top hospital in the world in 2024 by Newsweek. CCCCA is recognized as a world leader in treatment for children with autism and has been offering world-class treatment for more than 25 years. CCCCA has developed a treatment model that has been replicated in programs throughout the United States.

G.I.F.T. Comprehensive Care for Children provides services encompassing the basic principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and language services, and occupational therapy. Alternative options such as social skills training/classes, arts, and music will also be offered. We’ll work collaboratively with parents and school systems to provide children with the necessary treatment and assistance to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

Our comprehensive developmental, behavioral, and educational programs are directed towards child success in basic functional living skills such as following directions, self-care, activities of daily living, social interaction, and classroom executive functioning skills. Outpatient clinical care will be provided on-site, in the classroom, and at the family residence.

We proudly operate under the guidance of the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism- a globally recognized leader in autism care

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism

As national leaders since 1998, we are continually involved in research to identify causes and advance treatments for autism spectrum disorders

Our Leadership

Alex Smith

Founder & CEO

As a former professional football player and long-time youth sports leader, I’ve dedicated much of my life to helping young people develop confidence, discipline, and strong character. After an 11-year career in the NFL and several years working in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers front office, I transitioned my focus toward community impact and youth development.

I currently operate local youth sports programs through Under the Lights Flag Football, where thousands of families across the Tampa Bay area have participated in structured athletic programs designed to teach teamwork, accountability, and leadership.

As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I’ve also experienced firsthand the challenges many families face while navigating developmental services and support systems. That personal experience deepened my commitment to creating resources that help children and families thrive.

Through G.I.F.T. Comprehensive ABA Therapy, and with the guidance of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Autism, I now aim to provide a supportive environment where children can build foundational developmental skills, social confidence, and independence with the guidance of experienced clinicians and behavioral professionals.

My mission is simple: to create a place where children are supported, families feel understood, and every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Robyn Wallman

Clinical Director – BCBA

I have been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2017, beginning my journey as a behavior consultant/therapist, a BCaBA in 2020, and becoming a BCBA in 2022. My work is grounded in compassion, data-driven decision-making, and a commitment to ethical and individualized care.

I have extensive experience working in the clinic, in home, community, and school settings with children varying learning and developmental disabilities. I am passionate about meeting the family where they are by serving their areas of strengths and concerns while assisting families improve their quality of life via impacting their little ones day-to-day. Outside of my professional ABA life, I’m a tennis coach and a health and wellness coach. I am adventurous- love being outside and traveling.

Dr. Brittany Zern, Psy.D., BCBA-D

Medical Director

Dr. Brittany Zern is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D), as well as the owner of Zern Behavioral Health. She brings extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of developmental and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.

Dr. Zern earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and her Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D.) from Nova Southeastern University. Her clinical expertise includes Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Learning Disorders.

Partners & Supporters