My Story:  Introduced to the world of Applied Behavior Analysis for Schools

In the fall of 2011, the Assistant Director of Special Education enrolled me in an intensive six-day training program. At the time, I was in my sixth year of teaching elementary students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. I worked alongside a dedicated team of three other teachers and outstanding service providers. I loved my job and was deeply committed to my students. Always eager to learn more and improve my practice, the opportunity for this intensive training experience excited me!
The training, provided by Autism Partnership, was a turning point in my career.
The schedule began with two full days of lectures led by Dr. Ron Leaf, Co-founder and Director of Autism Partnership. The following four days consisted of hands-on workshops led by two of Autism Partnership’s consultants. We alternated between topic lectures and practical sessions with students, allowing us to immediately apply what we had learned. We explored critical topics such as the principles of reinforcement, the difference between reinforcement and punishment procedures, how to identify and prioritize behaviors, and learning-to-learn skills. We also learned about the effective use of token systems and how to provide accurate feedback. The training was intensive, targeted, and more meaningful than I had ever imagined.
I spent the weekend planning and preparing. On Monday, I arrived early to redesign my classroom setup. Although my classroom was already highly organized and my students were making progress toward their goals, I didn't hesitate to implement the strategies I had just learned and began training my staff accordingly. Over the following months, the consultant visited my classroom regularly for continued support and guidance.
The results were nothing short of remarkable. The progress my students made was undeniable. My staff, colleagues, and families were amazed by the changes. It was a gratifying, fun, and motivating experience. From that point on, I was on a mission to share the knowledge and methods that had transformed my practice. Through discussions, training, and now Practical Solutions for Behavior and Instruction LLC, I strive to make a profound difference in the lives of the individuals we teach.