Now Accepting New Clients & School Partnerships:
Busy Bees is currently accepting new clients and offering professional development and individual case consultation services in the Maryland/DC Area.
Our Team
Meet Our Founder & CEO
Nicole Bandarenko
Hi there! ​
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I’m Nicole, the founder of Busy Bees Behavioral Consulting. I started Busy Bees because I know firsthand what it’s like to grow up neurodiverse and feel misunderstood.
I was diagnosed with ADHD in second grade, and while my parents always wanted to help, there just weren’t many resources or clear answers available at the time. I struggled to find my footing in school, and it often felt like no one really “got” how my brain worked.
Those experiences became the heart behind Busy Bees — I wanted to create the kind of support system that every child and family deserves, one that meets kids where they are and helps them truly thrive.
MEd, BCBA, LBA
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my Master’s in Special Education, focusing on helping children with learning and behavior differences. Before opening Busy Bees, I worked as a Clinical Supervisor, guiding therapy teams and partnering with families to help children build independence, confidence, and real-life skills that make a lasting difference.
Along the way, I’ve also had the opportunity to share my passion for inclusion and neurodiversity through speaking engagements. I first presented at the WEC Conference in Louisville, where I talked about embracing neurodiversity and creating inclusive environments in live events. Later, I presented at the IMEX Conference in Las Vegas, sharing how meeting and event spaces can better support neurodiverse individuals.
Most recently, I co-led a workshop called “Unlocking Potential: Teaching Strategies for Neurodiverse Classrooms,” where we worked with teachers to explore practical ways to support students — from setting up visual schedules and classroom routines to building motivation and managing behavior in positive, supportive ways.
When I’m not working with families, you’ll usually find me on the softball field coaching a 12U travel team. Coaching has taught me so much about patience, teamwork, and believing in every child’s potential — lessons I bring into my work every single day.
Busy Bees was built on one simple belief:
Every person deserves to feel capable, understood, and valued. My mission is to make sure clients feel supported, hopeful, and confident that progress is always possible — one step, one skill, and one “bee” at a time.
