#celebrateeverymilestone

Working with children diagnosed with ASD has given me some of the best rewards. As an ABA therapist, I get the chance to share in moments that some families don’t know if they will ever see. I get to celebrate milestones every day with my clients and could go on about all the progress I have seen in my 3 1/2 years with BCI.

A moment in my career that shaped me was when I began working in Early Intervention. My first case was a client who was non-verbal. As a team, we worked on helping with sign and vocalizing what we were signing as we assisted them. I was able to celebrate with the client and their family every day when a new word was signed and eventually when they were speaking to request. When I began working with this client I would model how to sign a word, then provide them with the prompt to do the sign themselves. Within two weeks of sessions the signs were independent and about a month later we were getting spoken words. As I had to make the shift and transition off the client when they aged out of Early Intervention Services, they were talking in simple sentences. The process of getting a child to speak for the first time is something I will carry with me in my career. It is not about getting a child with ASD to where we think they should be but rather them showing us where they need to be in that moment and helping them learn from where they are to get them to goals we set out to achieve.

The work that we do in Applied Behavior Analysis gives families a framework to help their child succeed in their abilities. Celebrating clients is something I get to do every day. On a daily basis, I see clients hit milestones, something that I believe not many people can say.

#celebrateeverymilestone 

My son Doug was diagnosed at the age of 3.  As a parent, you just know when something’s isn’t right with your baby, no matter what family members, doctors, and friends may say. I wasn’t always an ABA therapist.  I did a study in human services at Becker College and I have always loved working and helping others. To me, there is no other higher calling than working with families directly. You’re not just there to get paid; you must show an interest in the family.

Since I have an autistic son myself, I can relate to their frustrations and their struggles. I don’t go in and tell them [about Doug] right away. I want them to like my work. It’s about me working with the child, not about my life and my child. Still, I often form a special bond with the parents of the children I have the pleasure to work with through offering advice, resources or encouragement, and sometimes just a sympathetic ear. I think it’s safe to say that I walk the walk our families walk.

The toughest thing, for many families, is that they struggle to stop treating their autistic child like a baby. It’s not just a process with the child, it’s a process with the whole family. Not every [ABA program] works cold turkey. Be realistic, but you can raise the bar.

A lot of my families, friends, and co-workers ask me “Don’t you ever get burned out, dealing with your students and then going home and having to “live” autism as well”? In all honesty, It’s the most rewarding thing in the world! I won’t lie and say I don’t struggle myself as a parent, because I do. I continue to be proactive, be the best advocate/parent I can possibly be, as well as seek my BCI team’s support, for my son and his needs.

On April 11th, I am happy & proud to celebrate that I have been an ABA therapist for BCI for 7 years! It’s such a joy to see from small to huge progress. The first sign of communication, the first word, the first time a student of mine hands me a picture, oh the list goes on.

My advice to other parents of autistic children: Remember to work together as a team with your child’s therapist. Work with therapists toward a goal, and work toward it consistently and wholeheartedly. Keep moving forward, even if it’s baby steps, and celebrate BIG with every little goal your child makes as I do with my own boy. 💙

~Becky Schoenfeldt

#lessonsfromourclients

Almost 12 years ago in California, as a freshman in college, I got a summer job as a transitional assistant in a classroom in a private school. The School specialized in working with children who had challenging behaviors and couldn’t attend mainstream public schools. When I took my first steps into that classroom, I can honestly say I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Looking back, I realize now it’s one of those serendipitous moments, laying the foundation for every methodical decision that came after. At the time, I certainly didn’t know that every student I met from that moment forward would teach and challenge me, helping me discover the type of clinician I wanted to become. The families I have had the privilege to work with have inspired me to not only pursue a master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis but also a master’s in Mental Health and Counseling so that I can find ways to support the family and integrate strategies in a variety of ways.

I couldn’t imagine, being the home-body that I have always been, that my passion for the field would push me to move across the country. Massachusetts was far away from my family and friends, but I had heard that services for families and individuals with Autism there were the best in the country. But most importantly, what I didn’t know before stepping into that classroom, was the impact of all the people I would meet within the field, as well as all the people I would have the humbling experience to work for – those on the autism spectrum and their families.

I continue to learn lessons from those that I work with, and for, every day. I’ve continued to learn these lessons with every job that I have had the privilege of holding since that first day. I’ve had some of the most inspiring co-workers, who have turned into life-long friends. But my biggest lessons learned have always been from my clients. They’ve taught me how important it is to measure progress in ways that are meaningful to the family and to them. How crucial it is to laugh and maintain a sense of humor even after the longest of days. To never forget our favorite things, whether it be Harry Potter, Thomas the Tank Engine, a great yellow truck, a good Disney character, a squeeze or everyone’s favorite iPad. They remind me, in and out of work, to celebrate the resiliency that each of them and their loved ones bring every day.

#Celebrateeverymilestone

Individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder often have deficits related to communication. Sign language, Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) and assistive devices are common examples of alternative communicative methods we work to teach our clients to use. It is imperative that those who are not able to speak have a voice and a way to communicate their wants and needs.

One client I have had the pleasure of working with for the past three years has used various alternative communication methods. When we first met, he began using a PECS book where he requested various items and activities by exchanging their pictures. As his imitation skills strengthened, we were also able to teach him a number of signs that he used in combination with his PECS book to communicate. He recently transitioned to using a communication application on his tablet, where when icons are selected, the application reads the name of the item or activity out loud, giving him a vocal voice.

Though his progress with alternative communication methods has been extraordinary, it has always been a goal of his team, his parents especially, for him to communicate with words. Needless to say, it was quite the emotional experience hearing him say “hi” for the first time. It is a word that I have spoken to him thousands of times since I have known him, and I always thought about the day he might be able to say it back. There are times that I still get teary-eyed listening to HIS voice because I know how hard he has worked to be able to use it. Every new word of his is a success and we will continue to celebrate each one.

Britney Catron, M.Ed., BCBA. LABA
Behavior Analyst

 

#Lessonsfromourclients

I entered the field of ABA and was introduced to the world of autism nearly 15 years ago. The biggest lesson I have learned came about 6 years into my work with clients on the spectrum from a 6-year-old with ASD. He reminded me that sometimes the characteristics that lead to a diagnosis of autism are the very traits that make that individual unique and interesting. This individual enjoyed maps. We would say he perseverated on them. But studying maps brought him so much joy. He could name capitals and countries, rivers, and mountains. It was sometimes tiring for me to sit and listen, and it made me feel silly that he knew so much more than I did about geography, which, admittedly is not my strongest subject.

One day, he told me that he was sad that people wanted to “change” him, so he didn’t like maps as much anymore. He was afraid that if he didn’t like maps, he wouldn’t like anything. It turns out, he had overheard some adults talking about the desire to “cure” his autism and knew that his intense interest in maps stemmed from his diagnosis. This one conversation led me to the biggest epiphany in my career.

Our goal should be to help our clients to function in society in a way that will bring them the most success and happiness. We should strive to alleviate some of the major challenges they have in their lives due to their diagnosis. Our focus should not be on how to “cure” autism, but on how to help our clients to navigate a world that was not created with them in mind. Perhaps, our focus should also be on helping the world to change a little bit so that our clients and their many amazing characteristics can be embraced.

Tara Schmehr, M.S., BCBA, LABA
Behavior Analyst

#Celebrateeverymilestone

Two years ago, this month we were lucky to meet Max and his family. He was non-vocal, had physical disabilities, and was diagnosed later than usual. To many, the deck was stacked against him. We quickly learned that no matter how much that deck is stacked, we should always bet on Max.

Max had sessions every day. He worked hard. Harder than most kids we know. He made progress, sometimes slow, but progress nevertheless. The progress was and continues to be never more evident than when he is outside of his sessions. His family informs us whenever something big happens for him. Those are the stories that motivate us to keep going. It makes everything we do worth it. It is our most potent reinforcer. We have two years of these stories, so it was hard to pick our favorites. Here are just a few that made us so proud to be on Max’s team.

Julie: During Max’s first session I tried to get him to play with some toys, to no avail. His mom, seemingly defeated, mentioned that he liked his swing. So outside we went. Very quickly I realized that he not only liked the swing, he loved the swing. This was the most potent reinforcer I found all day, so I used it! I wanted Max to look at me. Just a glance. So, I held that swing until he looked right in my eyes. When he did, I gave him the biggest push on that swing. I stopped the swing, and he looked again, this time for longer! By the end of the session, Max was looking at me consistently. A few weeks later at his birthday party, mom told me that his family remarked on how much more “engaged” he was and was looking at them. That was one of my proudest moments with Max.

Max’s first time on a “big boy” swing

Anelise: One of my favorite memories of Max was Halloween. We both got dressed up and went trick or treating around his neighborhood with his family. It was incredible to see how eager he was to ring each doorbell and use his new communication device to say, “Trick or Treat.” A lot of what we had been working on was his waiting and requesting using his tablet, so seeing that translate over to a holiday tradition was so rewarding. Max’s excitement was evident-he ran from one house to the next and when it was time to go home, he wanted to keep going. Those are the memories that last a lifetime not only for the family but for the client and it was awesome to be a part of that.

Max flying like Superman on Halloween

Kendall: My favorite thing about Max is how he is socially with me, especially how we joke with each other. This is when you can see his personality really come out. When he’s jumping in the bounce house and it’s time for him to come out, he smiles and won’t come out until I get in there with him and bounce, all while laughing the entire time like he one-upped me! One Halloween I dressed up and was wearing a mustache. When I walked into his house, he wouldn’t talk to me because he didn’t recognize me. When I took my mustache off, he laughed and gave me a big hug. He knew I was playing a joke and he was able to understand and enjoy why it was so funny.

Julie, Kendall, and Max at the ARC 5K in 2017

We often hear people who work in other fields say, “I have a thankless job.” We are very lucky to have a thank FULL job. Parents often thank us for the work we do, and we are grateful. However, today we want to turn that thanks around to our friend, Max. We are thankful that you have taught us that no matter what difficulties present themselves, that with hard work and a smile, you will always persevere.

Written humbly and with thanks,

Anelise Hackenson
ABA Thereapist

Kendall Dardy-Jones
ABA Thereapist

Julie Bazinet, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA
Behavior Analyst