I always knew I wanted to work with children and young people. This passion grew from having lots of younger siblings and cousins. So, I started working at a day care nursery while studying for my undergraduate degree. I thought that I would go into Educational Psychology after I completed a placement at a Special School, until a speaker came to one of my lectures to talk about a masters in Behaviour Analysis. I had been completing a small module in Applied Behaviour Analysis, but it was not until then that I realised it was a whole field of its own and it was exactly the path I wanted to pursue. I attended an open day and immediately applied for the Masters in Behaviour Analysis course. It was during my induction day for the masters I understood just how big the field was with a qualification of its own and I knew then I would become a BCBA

I completed my masters in 2019, with my dissertation focusing on evaluating a parent implemented intervention aimed at cooperation of children. I started my postgraduate diploma the same year to start gaining experience in the field and worked toward collecting my hours to become a BCBA. I started a placement at an Early Intervention Service working mostly with children who had autism spectrum disorder. I also worked with children in an after-school academics club for children who were having difficulties reading and writing. I wanted to gain as much experience as I could, so I started as a behaviour therapist on a couple of home programmes. I also wanted to work as much as possible with children with developmental disabilities, so I become a play support worker and a PA for a young boy with Down Syndrome. My final placement on the PGDip was at a high school but was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic

At this time, I heard about a PhD where Skybound were collaborating with the University of South Wales which really grabbed my interest as it was looking into speech. I had not planned on doing a PhD yet, as I was excited to start working, however I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t let pass me by. I applied for the position and started in July 2020. During the time on the PhD, I worked as a lecturer on behaviour analytic modules. I also worked at the Early Intervention Centre to support trainee behaviour analysts. I have worked with Risca, closely observing her use of TalkTools combined with behaviour analysis with children who are nonverbal and those who have speech difficulties. Watching her prompt speech was something I didn’t know was possible. Seeing children learn to use their voices and hearing the positive impact it has on the family is something that I would be honoured to share going forward

Some people say that once you have completed a PhD, you don’t want any more to do with the topic, but for me it is the complete opposite! And lucky for me, I became a fully-fledged Skybounder in October 2023 and I cannot wait to continue this learning journey.