This month, Connec-to-Talk is featuring Emily, the dedicated BCBA for our Westminster, MD clinic. Emily has a rich career in ABA, with previous experience in the school system, as well as Kennedy Krieger. She shared her unique perspective on how Connec-to-Talk’s model prepares children for school. She also shared her thoughts on what many people may get wrong about ABA! Please read on for some highlights of our discussion below.
What initially drew you to the field of ABA?
“After graduating with my degree in Psychology, I explored several different career paths and went on a number of interviews. It wasn’t until I began working at Kennedy Krieger that I truly found my direction. I developed a strong bond with a patient who engaged in severe behaviors, and witnessing his progress firsthand—along with getting to know and support his family—solidified my commitment to this field. Seeing the impact that effective intervention can have made me want to continue helping individuals and families the way he was helped.”
Tell us about your experience prior to coming to Connec-to-Talk!
“I worked for Kennedy Krieger’s non-public school program, LEAP (Lifeskills and Education for Students with Autism and Pervasive Behavioral Challenges), for over 10 years. Prior to that, I was part of the Neurobehavioral Inpatient Unit at Kennedy Krieger. These experiences provided extensive training in working with individuals with complex behavioral and learning needs, and they shaped much of my clinical foundation and passion for the field.”
How do you feel Connec-to-Talk prepares children for their transition to school?
“Connec-to-Talk prepares children for a successful school transition by systematically teaching and strengthening foundational skills required in a classroom environment. This includes, but is not limited to, potty training, listener responding, functional communication, tolerance to demands and structured work, and the development of appropriate social and adaptive skills. These areas are targeted individually and within natural routines to ensure children can generalize these skills across people, environments, and expectations similar to those found in a school setting.”
What do you believe are the benefits of full-day ABA programs for preschool aged children?
“The benefits of a full-day ABA program for preschool-aged children include the opportunity to rapidly acquire essential developmental and functional skills through consistent, high-quality instruction. With a 1:1 ratio provided by a trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), children receive individualized teaching, immediate feedback, and frequent practice across a wide range of targets. This level of support promotes faster skill acquisition, stronger generalization, and improved readiness for structured school environments.”
What do you think people get wrong about ABA?
“What I think people often misunderstand about ABA is the belief that it is exclusively for children with autism. In reality, ABA is a science of behavior that can be applied across many environments and populations. Its principles are used in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, parent training, mental health, and even organizational systems. ABA is far broader than its public perception, and its strategies can benefit anyone by promoting meaningful, measurable behavior change.”
Are there any changes in the field of ABA that you’d like to see?
“One change I would like to see in the field of ABA is greater integration within school settings. Allowing RBTs to work directly in classrooms, or having BCBAs enter schools to provide training, modeling, and support, would help demonstrate both the effectiveness of ABA across diverse populations and the value it brings to educational environments. Increased visibility and collaboration would also help address the misconceptions often spread through social media and public opinion. Overall, expanding ABA into schools has the potential to benefit students, teachers, and school systems as a whole.”
If you are interested in learning more about career opportunities at Connec-to-Talk, please e-mail Katherine Lewis at careers@connec-to-talk.com.We look forward to having you join our team! If you are looking for resources on Autism in Maryland, we encourage you to visit Autism Society of Maryland’s page!
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