When you choose an applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy provider for your child with autism, the staff matters. The board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) and registered behavior technicians (RBTs) will spend hours with your child, carefully observing, designing a plan, and helping your kiddo learn and modify behaviors. Choosing an ABA therapy provider with great therapists is important.
At Innovative Behavior Options, we have some of the best staff in the business, and we like to spotlight them here on our blog to give you a chance to get to know the team. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Bryce, a dedicated, experienced BCBA who provides in-home, community, and center-based ABA therapy.
Atlanta Area ABA Therapy Center Staff Spotlight
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Bryce, and I grew up in northeast Ohio. I received my undergraduate degree at Centre College in Behavioral Neuroscience where I also played lacrosse all four years. While in school, I conducted research on the effects of concussions and return to play guidelines within sports via neurofeedback.
Following my undergrad, I worked as a Community Living Supports worker in Louisville, Kentucky while pursuing my master’s degree in ABA and my Board-Certified Behavior Analysis license. While working both as a CLS and BCBA in Louisville, my clients were primarily teens and adults ages 12-60 working on skill acquisition and behavior reduction in areas of daily independent living skills, vocational skills, self-regulatory skills, school readiness skills, community safety and social skills.
I currently live in Atlanta with my wife and our miniature schnauzer. I enjoy spending time outside hiking or walking in our neighborhood, video games, board games and card games, experiencing Atlanta’s diverse restaurant scene, and listening to all types of music.
What is your role at IBO?
I have been a BCBA with IBO since August 2021. At IBO, I have worked with clients two to 14 years of age. I conduct treatment assessments, design treatment plans for skill acquisition and behavior reduction, supervise the implementation of the plans by a Registered Behavior Technician, evaluate therapy progress and make changes to the treatment process, and provide support to the parents, school staff, siblings, and any other relevant individuals on the specific case.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Each day varies. It could include going out to see a client and supervise an ABA session at our Roswell therapy center, in home or in a community setting, in a daycare setting, or in a private school. I touch base with the parents or staff, collect a narrative on how the previous weekend or week has gone, provide any support needed during the discussion, meet with the therapist and provide coaching or modeling on target implementation, review target progress, and make treatment plan changes as necessary. Each day varies based on the therapist’s needs, which client I am seeing, the location I am in, and how progress is being made.
What interested you initially about this type of work?
As a teenager I worked with peers who were diagnosed with Autism, which is how I initially became interested in working with neurodivergent individuals. While in undergrad, I learned so much regarding neurodivergence and how this can manifest in behavior both in humans and animals. Initially, I was interested in pursuing either Clinical Psychology or Occupational Therapy, even interning a summer at an adult Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Clinic.
I took an educational credit course designed specifically around ASD, which opened my eyes to the field of ABA. Through the class, I had an opportunity to shadow an RBT in a nearby city, and it sparked my interest in the field.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy being able to help clients achieve their own personal goals and the family’s goals for their loved ones. I really value client involvement, promoting independence, and striving for clients to reach their own vision and have a voice in the therapy process.
I am passionate about naturalistic teaching methods, antecedent strategies, and making ABA more accessible and enjoyable for all individuals of all backgrounds and ages. Working with teens and adults previously was a unique experience that really shaped my perspective with all of the various goals, skills, and opportunities that exist for individuals with neurodivergence. I also enjoy educating and helping others learn more about ASD and breaking down any misinformation around intelligence, opportunities, and stereotypes within both the field of ABA and the topic of neurodivergence.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
Recently, I have been learning more about “assent” within the field of ABA. This topic revolves around not just client consent within the therapy process but also making the presentation and process of therapy more enjoyable for the client, increasing engagement during sessions, and the importance of respecting the individual’s voice during treatment sessions. This is a valuable topic on being mindful of client engagement or lack of engagement from both verbal and non-verbal behaviors, and how we can change the treatment variables to increase client buy-in with their own therapy process.
Bryce’s passion for and experience with using ABA therapy to help people with autism are just two of the many qualities that make him such an asset to our team and clients. If you’re interested in learning more about ABA therapy or working with one of our outstanding ABA therapists, like Bryce, check out our website or give us a call at 770-250-0093.