jaclyncapistran-blog

[jaclyncapistran-blog]

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

I’m a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) that implements ABA techniques with children who have Autism. People ask, what is that? Do you work with kids who act “bad”? Let me explain...

I work with young children who have Autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that is characterized by communication, social interaction, and repetitive or stereotypical behaviors. And yes, although Autism is characterized by some or all of these things, not one individual is alike. One individual might be completely non-verbal, but he can still understand and follow instructions. One individual might have great communicative language, but might still use aggression or self-injurious behaviors to express what he really needs me to understand. Why are these individuals acting this way? Why are they hitting, screaming and crying, biting, banging their heads, dropping to the ground, and running away? Whether these children have no voice, or some voice, these behaviors are a form of communication, a way to get me to understand their needs. The first step is to figure out is why the individual displaying this behavior. Does he want attention? Does he want access to a toy or activity? Is he trying to escape a demand or aversive situation? Is he gaining a sensory need? Then I get to help implement the plan that will help decrease the problematic behaviors and teach functional ways to communicate wants and needs. 

My goal is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I have 3 cousins who have Autism. They are all high-functioning and have communicative language. At a younger age, they displayed a lot of problematic behaviors, the most notable for all 3 was screaming and crying in aversive situations, including over-stimulation. I have seen them grow into very patient teenagers who wait until it is their turn to speak, greet their peers and elders, and take their time to ask for what they need. I want to create treatment plans to help many children and their families with their individual and unique needs.