The Wellness Centre has been providing psychological, behavioural and mental health services since 2004, and for the past six years has offered specialized services for children with autism. In 2010 The Wellness Centre hired Sloane Pharr, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst from the USA to develop their ABA programme. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence based therapeutic intervention for children with autism. According to Shannon Seymour, Director “There are 30 years of science behind the effectiveness of ABA, so when I was looking for a clinical response to the increasing number of children with autism being referred to our clinic I wanted to offer something with scientific evidence behind it”. ABA is effective at improving communication, social skills, cognitive ability and learning. It’s also very effective at reducing challenging behaviours, and in particular those behaviours which interfere with a child’s ability to learn at a typical rate.

The demand for ABA services currently out weights The Wellness Centre’s capacity so the focus has shifted from hiring overseas therapists to training young Caymanians interested in working in the field of ABA. The Wellness Centre started offering a Registered Behaviour Technician™ Training programme through the Behaviour Analysis Certification Board (www.bacb.com) two years ago, and to date six individuals have obtained their RBT™ designation. A Registered Behaviour Technician™ is a paraprofessional who works under close supervision of a Board Certified Behaviour Analysis in the delivery of ABA programmes. It is the first step towards a rewarding career in helping children with special needs.

Today, The Wellness Centre’s ABA team has grown to seven, including three young Caymanians; Samantha Sampang-McCoy, Danielle Tomkins and Emily Scott. Growing ABA as a career path for young Caymanians is something Sloane Pharr, ABA Supervisor is extremely proud of. “When I arrived in Cayman not a lot of people knew what ABA therapy was and it was often misunderstood. Knowing that we are creating a sustainable base of local therapists to serve our local families is very rewarding”.

The first Caymanian to receive their RBT™ designation was Samantha Sampang-McCoy, who joined The Wellness Centre’s in 2013 after completing her BSc in Psychology and Health Science from the University of Toronto. In September 2016 Samantha began her Masters in Special Education & Applied Behaviour Analysis at Endicott College in Massachusetts, USA and continues to work with The Wellness Centre during school breaks. “When I finished my Bachelors I didn’t know exactly what area of psychology I wanted to work in until I had exposure to ABA, and then I knew right away it was the perfect fit for me. I’m very excited to continue working towards becoming a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst when I return home”, says Sampang-McCoy.

Danielle Tomkins, a graduate of Cayman Prep and High School joined The Wellness Centre in 2015 as a summer intern. “I knew that I wanted to work with children, but I was unsure as to what exactly I wanted to do”. Danielle completed her RBT™ designation and was hired as an ABA Therapy Aide. She is currently a Junior ABA Therapist and plans to continue her studies online. “Working in the field of ABA is a very rewarding career. I love the impact I have on children and it feels good to be making a difference. I also like that I can continue my education on-line and I’m excited because in the field of ABA there is a lot of opportunity for continued training and further qualifications”.

Emily Scott is the newest member of the ABA team and is currently completing her RBT™ designation over the summer. Emily graduated in May 2016 with a BSc (Hons) in Pre-Professional Psychology from Andrews University in Michigan and heads off to the University of Rochester, NY this fall to begin a Masters programme in Human Development with BCBA coursework and practicum. According to Ms. Scott; “Working at The Wellness Centre this summer is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable exposure to ABA therapy. I am getting practical clinical experience that I know will give me a definite advantage as I start my Masters programme”.

The Wellness Centre is very proud to be providing this important training opportunity to young Caymanians and hopes that the field of ABA continues to grow locally. The RBT™ designation is perfect for anyone interested in working in the field of special needs, including teacher’s aides, special needs caretakers, preschool teachers or even professionals who want a better understanding of managing challenging behaviour. The Registered Behaviour Technician™ Training programme is endorsed by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board and offers an exciting opportunity to be part of this growing area of intervention for children with special needs.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Registered Behaviour Technician™ Training Programme; including admission requirements, course fees and length of training is invited to contact Sloane Pharr at [email protected].

For further information about The Wellness Centre visit www.wellnesscentre.ky

Photo Caption 1:

(L to R) Samantha Sampang-McCoy, Emily Scott, Danielle Tomkins