Making ABA More Compassionate with Celia Heyman
Free Workshop
Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums
in Young Children with
Autism &/or Speech Delays
Celia Heyman is a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst, pursuing her doctorate, and fellow autism mom who advocated for her son to get the best compassionate ABA services to help him reach his fullest potential. Celia’s son was diagnosed with autism in 2004 after she noticed he wasn’t talking as much as his older sibling. He was eighteen months old at the time and did display other symptoms such as playing and manipulating items in strange ways, not responding to his name, and being very comfortable playing on his own.
Initially, he started receiving services through early intervention. These first sessions were stressful and full of tension. He would run, tantrum, and scream when the providers would come to his home. It was not a good experience for anyone, and he had a hard time meeting his goals. He needed more compassionate ABA and Celia eventually found a center that provided it. Because of his early interventions with ABA, he is excelling as a young adult.
Because of her son’s positive experience with ABA, Celia eventually decided to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and she now teaches Compassionate ABA Care to parents and providers, including ABA providers.
What is Compassionate ABA Care? Compassionate ABA care is building rapport and trust with a client so that they are more likely to work with you and reach their goals. It’s really understanding their situation and doing your best to connect with them. A child may have trauma from a past negative experience. It’s important to be responsive to the child, and not just follow your program or script. It’s also important to look at the practices we were taught in the past as they may not be applicable today.
The most important thing, especially when just starting out with a new client and practicing Compassionate Care, is to build a strong, positive relationship with them. If the child trusts you, you are more likely to get them to work towards their goals, and ultimately, reach their full potential.
Today’s Guest
You’ll Learn
- Why Celia became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst
- Who benefits from learning Compassionate Care?
- How using Compassionate Care helps children with special needs meet their goals
- Celia’s self-care and stress management tips
Resources
- MaryBarbera.com/workshop (Sign up for a free workshop online for parents and professionals)
- TurnAutismAround.com
- #064: BCBA Compassionate Care and Interpersonal Skills with Dr. Bridget Taylor
- #057: Escape Extinction, Evidence Based Practice & Autism Ethics with Dr. Megan Miller
- #124: Home Based ABA for Autism | Interview with Amy M.
- The Experiences of Autism Mothers Who Become Behavior Analysts
- Dr. Megan Miller’s Podcast
- FTFBC.com
- ABA Study Group on Facebook
- Compassionate Care in Behavior Analytic Treatment: Can Outcomes be Enhanced by Attending to Relationships with Caregivers?
- Practical Functional Assessment
Free Workshop
Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums
in Young Children with
Autism &/or Speech Delays
