Category: Gold Star

We sat down with this month’s Gold Star winner Michael Jaghab to discover what drives him as a Behavior Technician, what he likes about working for Golden Care Therapy, and what’s the best advice he’s ever been given.

What drove you to the ABA profession? 

After I graduated high school, I needed a job. I began working for a family friend that had twin boys with autism. I thought it would only be for the summer. That summer turned into 15 years. Although they live in a residential, I still work with them from time to time. It was working with them that I learned about ABA therapy. I loved it so much that I began working in an ABA school after I graduated from Kean University in 2009. Currently, I work as a teacher at an ABA school in Monroe and I could not be happier. 

How has Golden Care helped you in your career development? 

Golden Care has helped me develop my communication skills with parents and co-workers. Working for Golden Care has also helped me think in ways to understand what is important, meaningful, and functional for each individual child. 

What advice do you have for prospective Golden Care candidates? 

At times sessions can get difficult, and I think it is important to remain calm throughout. Also, always be ready to be flexible. 

4) What do you find the most challenging in your work as an ABA? 

I think knowing how and when to adapt your sessions to meet the needs of the client is the most challenging. What worked before may not work this time, and learning how to adapt on the fly can be difficult at times. However, for me, that is the fun part. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? 

Always follow through. Follow through with the directions you give. Also, follow through with what you say to the parents because it helps build trust. 

What is the favorite part of your work as an ABA/working for Golden Care? 

I love working with the families and getting to know them. I also love working with different BCBA’s. I have had the opportunity to work with some great ones! 

What is your proudest moment at Golden Care/ in your work as an ABA? 

Working in ABA is not an easy job, and not everyone can do it. Coming to work every day, working with families, and helping their child achieve their goals are my proudest moments. Knowing that the families appreciate what you do makes me want to try harder for them. and that a skill you’ve worked on is working in the outside world is some of the best news you can get. 

What is one thing that you wished people knew about your job? 

That it’s one of the best in the world! Every day is different, it’s never boring, and it is one of the more rewarding jobs you can have. 

If you’re interested in our services, you can find out more information about our in-home ABA therapy in New Jersey here. Or for job openings, you can view our ABA therapy jobs in NJ here.

GCT: Hi Krista! Can you tell me more of what drove you to the BCBA profession?  

Krista: I started out as a teacher for students with Autism and got to work closely with BCBAs who consulted in my classroom. I appreciated their systematic and effective approach to teaching, and quickly decided that I wanted to become a BCBA to strengthen my teaching practice and better serve my students.

GCT: What does the day to day of your job look like?

Krista: Something that I love about this job is that no two days are ever the same!  I spend time working directly with children and families, providing support and training to therapists, collaborating with other BCBAs, conducting assessments, writing treatment plans, creating teaching materials, and researching new treatment protocols just to name a few. Every day is an adventure!

GCT: What do you find the most challenging in your work as a BCBA?

Krista: For me, the most challenging part of the job is also what I find most rewarding. Since each client and family is unique with specific goals, learning styles, and needs, each treatment plan needs to be highly individualized. It can be very challenging to figure out the best approach for each client and family, but once I do, it’s a great feeling!

GCT: What drew you to Golden Care originally? And how has Golden Care changed since?

Krista: I was originally drawn to Golden Care by the supportive and collaborative work environment.  From the beginning I have been given ongoing support and guidance, which makes me better as a BCBA, which in turn results in more effective treatment for clients.

GCT: What is the favorite part in your work as a BCBA/ of working for Golden Care?

Krista:  My favorite part of my work as a BCBA is helping kids learn. I especially enjoy teaching communication and social skills.

GCT: How do you balance your career and family?

Krista: It is definitely a challenge to achieve a balance.  As much as possible I try to stay in the moment and give my full attention to whatever I’m doing at the time. I am fortunate that I have a fairly flexible schedule as a BCBA, and am able to plan my work and family commitments around each other.

GCT: Thanks so much for your time, Krista, and thanks for being such a valuable member of our team! We so appreciate all you do for our clients!

If you’re interested in our services, you can find out more information about our in-home ABA therapy in New Jersey here. Or for job openings, you can view our ABA therapy jobs in NJ here.

We sat down with this month’s Gold Star winner Megan Domzalski to discover what drives her as a BCBA, what she likes about working for Golden Care Therapy. and how she manages her work-life balance

What drove you to the BCBA profession? 

I’ve always been interested in working with individuals with different needs. As an education major, I was placed in a variety of different settings and schools. One of my most memorable experiences was the opportunity to teach for the Delaware Autism Program. This experience sparked my interest in the science of behavior which soon turned into a passion. I spent 7 years teaching in self-contained ABA classrooms and made the decision to go back for my BCBA to make myself a better educator and advocate for my students and their families.

How do you balance your career and family? 

If this career has taught me anything about balance, it’s how important it is. I’ve never been one to “leave work at work”. This last year, becoming a new mom has taught me how even more difficult balance can be, but that it is absolutely crucial. My husband and I have been able to work out a schedule so I am able to see my clients on a regular basis and ensure that I am able to be what they need, all the while being what our family needs as well! (And lots of coffee!)

How has Golden Care helped you in your career development? 

A few years ago when I began working for Golden Care Therapy, it was my first leap into building my career as a BCBA. Golden Care has allowed me to grow and learn as a BCBA by supporting my professional style and goals. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of different clientele, administrative staff, and behavioral technicians, who have each brought something different to the table for me.

What do you find the most challenging in your work as a BCBA? 

I think one of the most challenging pieces of this career is that it’s not always understood or respected as an actual science. Because there are no “quick fixes” for behavior or “short cuts” for learning, it can be difficult to explain to other professionals or families the science behind ABA therapy and that consistency and time are essential for change.

What have you gained from working at Golden Care? 

I feel working for Golden Care has absolutely helped to improve my confidence as a BCBA. Conferring with my colleagues has strengthened my communication skills with families and other professionals. Golden Care also provides feedback, positive and constructive, which has improved my report and program writing as well.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? 

When you meet one individual with autism, you meet one individual with autism.

What’s the one thing you’d tell your younger self?   

There is ALWAYS more to learn and ALWAYS room to grow personally and professionally.

What’s the favorite part of your work as a BCBA/ of working for Golden Care? 

One of my favorite parts of my job working for Golden Care is being able to work with families and watch caregivers and clients grow.

What is one thing that you wished people knew about your job? 

To someone unfamiliar with this field, it may seem as if BCBAs have little emotional connection to clients or their families because we are often looked at as “tough as nails!”. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This is the nature of the job, however, determination and consistency are two of the most powerful pieces of behavioral science (aside from reinforcement, of course). I wish others knew how emotionally invested BCBAs are in their career. The amount of time dedicated to ensuring that programs and interventions are catered to the various and ever-changing needs of my families is truly immeasurable.

If you’re interested in our services, you can find out more information about our in-home ABA therapy in New Jersey here. Or for job openings, you can view our ABA therapy jobs in NJ here.

GCT: Hi Kendall, can you please tell us a bit about your job as a Behavior Technician (BT)?

KB: I provide ABA therapy in homes and in different community settings in order to teach children different social, play, and functional life skills.

GCT: What drove you to the BT profession? 

KB: I have always enjoyed working with children. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a position early in college and have continued since then. 

GCT: How has Golden Care helped you in your career development?

KB: Golden Care was the first position I received where I was providing services in homes. With Golden Care I’ve been better able to determine the settings I enjoy working in the most. 

GCT: What advice do you have for prospective Golden Care candidates?

KB: My advice to prospective candidates looking to work for Golden Care is to ensure you can make a commitment to the client when taking on a new case. Home services are shorter and later hours and sometimes it can be difficult to schedule sessions when things come up. When accepting cases make sure the commitment is something you can handle! 

GCT: What drew you to Golden Care originally and what has changed since?

KB:  I had first moved to New Jersey in 2017 and was looking to try ABA In another setting besides a school. Then, Golden Care’s billing system was paper! I have worked with many new staff in the time I’ve been a part of Golden Care. 

GCT: What have you gained from working at Golden Care?

KB:  So much fieldwork experience! Working with Golden Care while finishing my masters has given me the opportunity to apply my learned skills in real life situations. 

GCT: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

KB:  Be the person you needed when you were younger! 

GCT: What’s the one thing you’d tell your younger self?

KB: Keep working hard because it will all be worth it! 

What is your favorite thing about working for Golden Care?

KB: Working directly with kids and running programs! 

GCT: What is your proudest moment at Golden Care/ in your work as a BT?

KB: I am definitely most proud of the simple successes that clients make during sessions, such as pottying, playing or eating routines! 

GCT: What is one thing that you wished people knew about your job?

KB: It can be difficult to determine the best way a child can learn. You really need to get creative sometimes! 

GCT: What does the day to day of your job look like?

KB: Currently I work for Golden Care in the morning and evenings with two clients! My afternoons are spent providing ABA at a clinical space for children with autism! 

GCT: What do you find the most challenging in your work as a BT?

KB: Perusing my BCBA while working full time hours as a BT. Finding time to balance personal and free time with work and supervision can be very challenging.

GCT: Thanks so much for your time, Kendall, and thanks for being such a valuable member of our team! We really appreciate all you do for our clients!

If you’re interested in our services, you can find out more information about our in-home ABA therapy in New Jersey here. Or for job openings, you can view our ABA therapy jobs in NJ here.