At Innovative Behavior Options, we’re honored to work with some of the best applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapists in the business. Choosing an ABA therapy center is a big decision. You and your child will spend many hours with your ABA therapist, so it’s important to choose a provider with the skills and expertise that your child needs and who works well with your family.
To help you get to know our team, we spotlight some of our rock-star staff here on our blog! Today, we’d like to introduce you to Registered Behavior Technician (and soon to be Board Certified Behavior Analyst) Michael!
Atlanta Area ABA Therapy Center Staff Spotlight
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Long Island, New York and moved to Georgia in the fall of 2018. I completed my bachelor’s in psychology at Stony Brook University and recently earned my Masters in ABA. I am currently finishing my clinical hours in preparation to sit for the certification exam and continue my career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)! When I’m not working with clients, I enjoy writing and performing music – I have a growing collection of guitars, basses, and other instruments.
How long have you been part of the IBO team? What is your role?
This summer will mark my fourth year with IBO. As an Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), I implement behavior programs and work to improve quality of life outcomes for my clients. Right now, I’m also a BCBA mentee, which has allowed me to take on additional roles with the company, such as assisting with staff training, providing support for parents, and collaborating with my BCBA supervisors to revise and write behavior programs.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Well, I always walk out the door with a cup of coffee in my hand! I have a preschool-age client who I see in the mornings at our Roswell therapy center. At the center, we have great opportunities to work on developing social skills with peers. After lunch, I drive to see a client in his home. With my in-home client, we are able to work on skills that can easily be applied to his daily routine outside of our sessions. I also have opportunities to provide direct support to parents by modeling these skills and working on strategies to further improve outcomes.
What interested you initially about this type of work?
Before I learned about ABA, I worked with adults with disabilities as a Direct Support and Activity Coordinator. I enjoyed applying my psychology background to improve the lives of others. It wasn’t until I moved to Georgia that I found out about ABA and saw the impact that working with children can have.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
It is so incredibly rewarding to see the growth in the clients I work with over time. Sometimes learning one skill can open doors to so many more things for a child!
What is the best part of your week?
I look forward to opportunities to meet with parents and talk about how things are going at home.
What causes are you passionate about?
Behavior Analysis as a field is continuing to grow, and with that it is so important that we listen to the voices of the community we are serving.
Michael’s passion for using ABA therapy to help children with autism and his dedication to parents and families 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 Michael, check out our website or give us a call at 770-250-0093.