#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

Read our Q&A with Tiffany Bellina, Behavior Analyst and Director, ­­­about her career experience working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. 

Q: For those of us unfamiliar with ABA, would you mind explaining it? 

A: Behavior analysis is a scientifically validated approach to understanding how behavior is learned or affected by the environment.  Applied behavior analysis (ABA) systematically uses the science of behavior to solve socially significant behavior problems. It has been shown that consistent ABA intervention can significantly improve various skills such as: communication, academic skills, hygiene, grooming, domestic skills, social skills, executive functioning skills, and job competence. Consistent ABA intervention can also effectively decrease challenging behavior such as aggression or self-injury or behavioral excesses of concern such as repetitive speech.

Q: How did you come to work in the ABA field?

A: 10 years ago, I was working at a residential program when a friend of mine reached out to me to about an ABA Therapist position at Behavioral Concepts. She knew I had experience working with people with developmental disabilities and that I had an interest in working with children. After she told me about the job, I figured I should apply. The rest is history.

Q: Did you have prior experience working in Applied Behavior Analysis?

A: I did not have experience specific to ABA and was not sure what to expect. BCI provided me with comprehensive training.

Q: What did you find most rewarding about working directly with children as an ABA Therapist?

A: It was extremely rewarding to know you were helping children to become more independent by developing critical skills such as social, communication, and daily living skills.

Q: Can you give me an example of a time that you were able to make a difference in a child’s life?

A: I had a non-verbal client whose parents told me that he likely would never speak. Despite incredible challenges, a year later he was talking in multiple word utterances.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in the field of ABA?

A: It is a great career. Beyond the intangible rewards such as the satisfaction of seeing your client succeed, an ABA therapist at BCI can make between $20-$23 dollars an hour depending on their educational level. It is a great job for anyone who enjoys working with children and has an interest in special needs. ABA is a great career path for anyone interested or majoring in Human Services, Psychology, Education, or related degree paths.

Q: If someone decides to become an ABA therapist is there formal education required?

A: Some college coursework is required to become an ABA therapist.

Q: What could a potential employee expect in their role as an ABA therapist?

A: You’ll work one-to-one with clients under the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). You’ll implement a specific treatment plan that addresses the child’s behavioral management, activities of daily living, social skills, and community skills. You’ll work in a variety of environments including a center, a child’s home, and in the community.

Q: How did you become a BCBA?

A: As much as I loved being an ABA therapist, I knew I wanted to do more. I decided to go back to school to pursue my master’s degree to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). On my own, I identified and completed an online program and went on to become a BCBA, then a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Massachusetts.

Q: Knowing you are involved with BCI’s college partnerships and provide supervision to students in Bay Path’s Master’s program in ABA, would you mind telling me about the onsite graduate program?

A: Sure! After I graduated, BCI developed a partnership with Bay Path University to provide on-site graduate classes to full time staff working as ABA Therapists where they earn a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. BCI pays for 60% of the tuition costs which makes it affordable for a lot of people.  Upon graduating, BCI hires you as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst with a competitive salary and an extended benefits package that boasts many options including tuition reimbursement.

Q: Do you have anything else you would like to share with potential candidates?

A: I have been very fortunate to gain my knowledge and experience from a company that has helped me grow professionally in a career that has brought such joy to my life. I would highly encourage anyone interested in this field to learn more by visiting our website at www.bciaba.com/careers/become-an-aba.

 

 

By: Alison Senior (Direct of Center-based Services – Worcester)

Our Worcester ABA Center is thrilled to share that we will be expanding our space this fall. The expansion will create four new instructional areas, as well as an expanded sensory area, and will allow us to double our enrollment capacity for the Intensive Day Program. Both our Intensive Day Program and our After-school Program will expand to sixty children per session. We are so excited to be able to move some families off the wait-list while continuing to provide a high quality of clinical services to all our clients.

The new space will feature four new instructional areas, additional restrooms for targeting activities of daily living, and an expanded sensory area. Two of the instructional areas will be set up much like our existing Center space, with interactive play centers for structured leisure activities and cooperative play and table areas for group instruction and targeted social skills lessons. We will be able to expand upon the different play areas offered, including additional dramatic and exploratory play activities, and finally have homes for all the additional toys we’ve had in storage. We will also be adding a large area with individual cubbies and open table work areas, dedicated to discrete trial instruction time. This will allow each child to receive individualized instruction time, with limited distractions. Our fourth new space will be home to Circle time, creating dedicated space for group instruction in pre-academics, story time, as well as music and movement activities. In the lobby area of our new space, we will be creating an expanded sensory area, dedicating space to having multiple activity options available for a greater number of children to access at once.

With the expanded number of instructional areas available, we will be increasing the day program to at least six groups of up to 10 clients each. Having a greater number of groups gives us the opportunity to refine peer groups and individualize group activities based on skill level even further. Our group schedules will also be shifting to allow for more movement between instructional areas, building motor breaks into transition time, and have each client contact a greater number of different activities across their day.

We are so excited to share these new developments with you and cannot wait to show off the new space once we are up and running. If you would like more information about our Worcester Center-Based Services or if you would like to be added to the wait-list for an opening, please contact the main office at 508-363-0200.

Sally Burke, M.S. Ed., BCBA, Director of Early Intervention Services at BCI has been working with children with a variety of special needs for more than 15 years. In her article entitled “My child has been diagnosed with ASD. Now what?” which was featured in Bay State Parent, Sally provides parents with a helpful overview of what happens after an ASD diagnosis – from finding service providers to accommodate the recommended number of treatment hours to asking the right questions.

Read the article