Behavioral Learning Network Clinical Director Jodie Deming is one of the first 1,000 Board Certified Behavior Analysts in the world. In this Q+A, she shares her perspective on how Applied Behavior Analysis has evolved from research labs to the standard of care for children diagnosed with autism.

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At Behavioral Learning Network, we believe that excellence in Applied Behavior Analysis comes from both experience and continuous learning. In this Q&A, Clinical Director Jodie Deming shares how the practice of ABA has evolved, why she remains passionate about her work, and how our commitment to mentorship at every level ensures we deliver the highest quality of care to our clients and their families. Her perspective reminds us why we do what we do: to make meaningful differences in the lives of children with autism.

Q: How long have you been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst? 

A: If you look at someone’s BCBA number you can tell how long they’ve been certified. My BCBA number is 1-01-0612, which means I was certified in 2001 and I was the 612th person to become a BCBA ever. I’m one of only two percent of BCBAs in our field with more than 20 years of experience.

Q: How did you get your start in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis?

A: I knew I wanted to do something with kids with autism, specifically preschool-age kids. At the time, if somebody was interested in this kind of work it would have been very difficult to find. People didn’t know about it–it was really just researchers who were doing it. Dr. Ole Ivar Løvaas was literally a pioneer of doing discrete trial work and doing ABA with kids with autism. Studying with him gave me the opportunity to get my feet wet with something clinical.

Q: You’ve basically been in the field since the beginning—how have you seen it change?

It’s been interesting to be part of the field from those beginnings of ABA treatment for people with autism. I’ve seen it change in so many different ways. When I first started, I would say many people didn’t even know what autism was. There was a big push for people to become aware of the diagnosis. Now people know someone with autism or they have a family member with autism.

There was no funding initially. It was not uncommon for people to mortgage or sell their home because they had to pay privately for ABA. Here was this thing that researchers were doing that was very effective. Families were saying, “I will do whatever I need to do to get my child this treatment.” There are still people who are receiving treatment through research programs, but I would say the majority of people are receiving services through agencies and organizations that are funded through schools and insurance companies.

Q: What was your early training like when you started in the field?

A: I learned early on that kids needed to learn in their natural environment and families needed to be part of it for it to be as effective as possible. We were part of a clinic but we were still providing ABA in kids’ homes and schools.

That belief has shaped the culture at Behavioral Learning Network—it’s one of the reasons I joined Greg [Elsky, Chief Clinical Officer and CEO]. He shares the same belief that the quality of service is important. Having had that early experience that we were clearly extremely effective— we’re not willing to compromise on that.

Q: What do you love about your job?

A: There’s so many different things—it probably depends on the day. I’ve always been very thoughtful about where I work. I have to be aligned with the agency’s values. I feel very well aligned with the values at Behavioral Learning Network.

I love hanging out with and interacting with preschool-age kids. Just Wednesday, I was out with a client and I stopped and thought, “It’s the middle of a workday and I’m running around playing chase with my four-year-old client and her Minnie Mouse stuffed animal–this is really fun!” This is why I got into the field. That’s one of the greatest things and it’s why I chose to come here and continue to be here. I have the backing and the resources and culture to do things that are effective and successful. I’m making a difference for our clients.

Q: ABA for the treatment of autism is a relatively new application. Why is mentorship important in the ABA field?

I think one of the great things about Behavioral Learning Network is that we don’t say, “Oh we’ve hired you, you’ve got your BCBA—great go.” We really set it up that even the most experienced BCBA who comes in has a regular opportunity for mentorship and consultation from someone with more experience. We can hire someone who’s been a BCBA for 10 years and if they were working under me they’re still going to meet regularly and have access to us as well as opportunities for peer mentorship so they can continue learning and growing.

Q: What values drive Behavioral Learning Network’s approach to mentorship and training?

A: First and foremost, we value having good outcomes for our clients. We know we can achieve that by making sure all the people who are working with the clients are well trained and supported. From the very beginning we place an emphasis and value on training. Beginning entry level behavior techs are going to receive a lot of training and they’re going to get support from the supervisor-level staff and the Behavior Analyst. We give guidance and mentorship because that will lead to good client outcomes.

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Want to work with dedicated BCBAs who are making a positive impact for their clients everyday? Learn more about a career at Behavioral Learning Network.