Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Heather Hanifin

Summary

Compassionate, dependable and energetic Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst with a growth mindset and 13+ years combined experience in Applied Behavior Analysis and Early Childhood Education. My greatest passion is to bring joy to my clients, while effectively communicating with, advocating for and personally assisting families whose children benefit from ABA therapy. I take great pride in providing impactful supervision to RBTs, as well as those studying to further their career in Behavior Analysis, by educating, disseminating and leading as an example for our field. I feel it is of utmost importance as a BCBA to promote hope for our client's futures and to weld impactful results, so they may be successful in living full and independent lives. I wholeheartedly believe that early intervention, evidence- based practices, communication, compassion and patience can profoundly shape the lives of so many who are impacted by an Autism diagnosis. I am extremely motivated to assist my clients, RBTs and stakeholders to ensure successful therapy environments.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

BCBA

Positive Behavior Supports
Toms River, NJ
07.2024 - Current
  • At PBS, I take a great deal of pride in offering high-quality supervision for Behavior Technicians, while implementing ABA strategies and protocols that align with Skills-Based Treatment to ensure that our clients and staff are happy, relaxed, and engaged throughout the entirety of our sessions.
  • I am incredibly passionate about conducting Parent Training sessions with a strong focus on positive reinforcement to achieve caregivers' short- and long-term goals, as well as provide guidance on implementing ABA procedures in home, school, and community settings to reduce maladaptive behaviors that impact safety.
  • It is my pleasure to connect with community members, to advocate for necessary accommodations and modifications that are often beneficial for our clients as they generalize their skills into educational settings.
  • Through my experience as a BCBA, I possess the knowledge and skillset to successfully write Behavior Intervention Plans, as well as the ability to analyze data to show which interventions are successful in increasing skill acquisition targets, as well as reducing maladaptive behaviors, while making necessary modifications to ensure our clients are successful.

BCBA

Beacon of Hope ABA
Enterprise, AL
04.2022 - 06.2024
  • Through my time as a BCBA at Beacon of Hope, ABA I learned and excelled through delivery of Skills Based Treatment across all settings, including disseminating the Balance Program through Parent Training sessions.
  • I've had the pleasure of collaborating with clients, caregivers and stakeholders to set valuable goals and outlined evidence based interventions to achieve skill acquisition targets.
  • Through BOH, I assisted clients with progressing towards relevant skills to improve functionality and generalization in social, educational and vocational settings.
  • Having excelled in time management, I diligently completed detailed documentation of sessions, client notes and recommendations for RBTs.
  • I successfully facilitated the achievement of client goals alongside caregivers and RBTs by implementing effective strategies to improve maladaptive behaviors and increase skill acquisition targets.
  • Developed customized behavior intervention strategies by closely interacting with clients and comprehending their unique strengths and challenges.
  • Incorporated a variety of treatment interventions and methodologies through evidence-based practices to meet each clients' specific needs, while continuously assessing data and client progress to modify treatment plans as needed.
  • Supervised, reinforced and evaluated activities of RBTs to include engagement in adaptive sessions and assessments through treatment fidelity checks.
  • Utilized positive reinforcement strategies to increase pairing procedures between myself and supervisees which directly benefited treatment fidelity, attendance and overall success of client progress.
  • Prioritized continuing education to include research on diagnostic and treatment protocols in order to continuously offer the best possible support for clients and stakeholders.
  • Humbly acknowledged exceptional feedback received from management, colleagues, and clients including caregivers.

Assistant Clinical Director/ Registered Behavior Technician

Expressive Beginnings ABA Therapy
, Al
08.2020 - 09.2021
  • While working for Expressive Beginnings as the Assistant Clinical Director/RBT, I played an integral role in scheduling client sessions, providing support to BCBA's and RBT's and communicating with clients and their stakeholders.
  • It was my sincere pleasure to utilize OBM techniques to positively reinforce and shape staff behaviors by practicing contingency based management techniques, all of which greatly prepared me for the role of BCBA.
  • As Assistant Clinical Director, I simultaneously worked as an RBT, where I had the opportunity to implement evidence- based services for children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • In my experience both as an RBT and now as a BCBA, I possess considerable knowledge of the BACB ethics codes and utilize them in all aspects of my career.

Registered Behavior Technician

Positive Support Services
, HI
08.2017 - 06.2019
  • As a Registered Behavior Technician working in the field of ABA, I had the opportunity to deliver individualized treatment for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder using Applied Behavior Analysis principles through in home therapy sessions.
  • Through this position, I performed behavioral interventions to teach PECS and ASL as well as verbal communication, social and daily living skills and reduce maladaptive behaviors across a variety of settings.
  • I worked closely with supervising BCBA's to identify and analyze delays in client progression, collaborated with team members through IEP meetings and communicated thoroughly and respectfully to family members in order to optimize my client's success.

Early Literacy Specialist

USD 475 Geary County Schools
Junction City, KS
08.2014 - 12.2016
  • Created educational materials according to lesson plans and school programs.
  • Worked directly with over 300 students either individually or in small groups.
  • Screened students to determine specific reading levels and determine areas in need of improvement.
  • Provided innovative reading resources for students.
  • Consulted with classroom teachers to develop strategies to help children excel at reading.
  • Helped students succeed through coaching, mentoring and positive reinforcement.
  • Instructed students of various backgrounds and learning styles by employing variety of instructional resources.

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

The Learning, Academy of Early Learning
Toms River, NJ
09.2010 - 02.2014
  • As the Pre- Kindergarten teacher at The Learning Experience, I positively shaped the lives of many children.
  • In my classroom, I taught children ages 4- 5 years old academic as well as social skills with lessons focusing on Phonics, Mathematics, Geography, Science, Sign Language and Spanish, as well as extra-curricular activities.
  • My goal as a teacher was to create a safe environment, strengthen my students' confidence, enhance their fine and gross motor skills, and to help them become comfortable and thrive in a school setting.
  • In all of my lessons I emphasized appropriate language, kindness to others, and the importance of respect
  • Along with teaching the, Pre-Kindergarten class, I was also depended on to open the center for early morning care at 6:30am, where I fed and cared for children from the ages of 1-8 years of age.
  • I also had the privilege of organizing fundraisers for donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Head Cross Country Coach

Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School
Toms River, NJ
07.2012 - 01.2014
  • I had the privilege of working as the Head Girls Cross Country Coach, in which I led my athletes to physically as well as mentally prepare for competition.
  • I was entrusted to balance the logistics of meets and practices, communicate with athletes and their guardians, as well as train my athletes through long distance workouts, pilates, and core strengthening.
  • I taught my athletes the importance of mental fortitude, positivity and teamwork, which I view as vital components for success in any area of life.
  • Throughout my two years as head coach, we improved our record and more importantly expanded our program greatly.
  • Along with leading the Cross-Country program, I also coached as an assistant for the Winter and Spring Track programs at Monsignor Donovan.
  • Working as an assistant was an amazing opportunity for me to grow as a leader and maintain relationships with my student athletes.

Ocean Lifeguard and Swim Instructor

Seaside Park Beach Patrol
Seaside Park, NJ
06.2009 - 09.2013
  • As an ocean lifeguard I learned many skills, including water safety, the importance of teamwork and how to remain calm in challenging situations.
  • This position strengthened my ability to perform well under pressure, communicate in a clear, concise and respectful manner and raise my awareness for those around me.
  • Along with my lifeguard certification I also received my CPR, AED and BASIC FIRST AID certification card and worked for two years as a swim instructor for children ages 3-8 years old, teaching water safety, physical skills and basic swimming techniques.

Education

Applied Behavior Analysis; Emphasis in ASD

Ball State University
Indiana
12.2019

Bachelor of Arts - Writing

Rowan University
New Jersey
05.2011

High School Diploma -

Monsignor Donovan High School
New Jersey
05.2007

Skills

  • BCBA, MA, LBA who:
  • Prioritizes Skills Based Treatment, HRE clients/RBTs and Practical Functional Assessments
  • Is committed to patient advocacy
  • Has experience in Telesupervision through multiple modalities
  • Excels in supervising ABA Therapy through Home, school based and clinical services as well as leading social group ABA therapy ages 15-21
  • Communicates genuinely and effectively through conflict resolution and OBM strategies
  • Prioritizes data confidentiality and excels in record keeping
  • Strongly supports team collaboration between BCBAs and RBTs and values feedback from colleagues
  • Has experience creating and updating Behavior Intervention Plans as well as analyzing data to modify treatment plans
  • Possesses strong interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Excels in professionally advocating for appropriate accomodations through IEP meetings
  • Leads with empathy, understanding and a vast knowledge of Autism Spectrum Diagnosis and ABA principles
  • Is certified in First Aid/CPR and incorporates safety protocols for staff and clientele

References

Mana Butterworth - BCBA at Beacon of Hope ABA - 334-733-9677

Kelly Gaskins- BCBA at Expressive Beginnings - 334-447-3003

Debbie Johns - Family Advocate USD475 - 785- 307-0459

Joe Gomulka - Monsignor Donovan H.S Athletic Director (former) 732-773-8178

Timeline

BCBA

Positive Behavior Supports
07.2024 - Current

BCBA

Beacon of Hope ABA
04.2022 - 06.2024

Assistant Clinical Director/ Registered Behavior Technician

Expressive Beginnings ABA Therapy
08.2020 - 09.2021

Registered Behavior Technician

Positive Support Services
08.2017 - 06.2019

Early Literacy Specialist

USD 475 Geary County Schools
08.2014 - 12.2016

Head Cross Country Coach

Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School
07.2012 - 01.2014

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

The Learning, Academy of Early Learning
09.2010 - 02.2014

Ocean Lifeguard and Swim Instructor

Seaside Park Beach Patrol
06.2009 - 09.2013

Applied Behavior Analysis; Emphasis in ASD

Ball State University

Bachelor of Arts - Writing

Rowan University

High School Diploma -

Monsignor Donovan High School

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Heather Hanifin