Nicole Gardner
VIRGINIA BEACH,VA
Summary
I am the military mom of a 22 year old young man with Autism, and Type 1 Diabetes, a 18 year old young man with ADHD and a Broader Autism Phenotype, and 16 year old daughter. They have inspired me to become as competent a parent as possible and have driven my ongoing pursuit of knowledge regarding the many facets of ASD, ADHD, OCD, Type 1 Diabetes, ABA, additional treatment and support applications such as SLP, OT, Endocrinologist, Psychiatric, Neuro- Developmentalist and Neurologist support, respite care, special education, student and family advocacy, therapeutic horse riding, group homes, IEP processes, sibling support and more. I have an extensive background in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavioral Health and care coordination of individuals with disabilities. In Addition. broadened my scope of behavioral knowledge and practice for training and behavior modification to include its applications with working animals under the mentorship of certified trainers as a student/apprentice. Gaining knowledge of, and understanding the learning capacity of training techniques used with, and work applications of animals as they pertain to assisting people in various capacities is of interest to me. Additional experience includes work with USN, Fleet Forces Mid-Atlantic Region and USN Fleet and Family Services as a USN Ombudsman (volunteer position), to improve resources for families and to add support in the form of EFM Coordinators in every Command, and Medical Clinic across the fleet. In addition, Military Student Liaisons in public schools near bases have been put in place to support this population when transferring to new schools and to support all military children during deployment periods. In addition I have previous experience teaching for SECEP, and have run a Navy Child Development Home. In short, working with individuals and families, especially those with neuroevelopmental disabilities is my passion. I’m grateful to be considered for work as a Supervisory Behavior Scientist.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
In-Home Support Coordinator
Charis Support Services
10.2023 - Current
- Coordinate services (In-Home, Respite Care, and refer to additional services Day Support, Sponsorship as needed.) for DD and FIS waivered individuals with developmental disabilities and comorbidities
- Manage referrals from Human Services: Department of Behavioral Health and Disabilities Services, evaluate and develop care plans based on Individual and Family interview, Support Coordinator Feedback, conduct functional behavior assessments, and comprehensive assessments, review medical history, psychological evaluation, Support Intensity Scale (SIS), and Vines
- Create Part V Plan of Support, Behavior Plans, fall risk plans, emergency management, safety plans and Service Authorizations
- Hire, train, supervise and manage Support Partners in office and field, create and manage schedules
- Verify hours and process for payroll
- Monthly Data Reports, Quality Assurance, Incident Reports, Root Cause Analysis evaluations, Audit Support logs using THERAP ensuring Medicaid and Licensure requirements are met
- Ensure medical needs of individuals are met, Mandated reporter, TOVA Certified, Medication Management Certified, 24-7 for Emergency management or Crisis Intervention
Registered Behavior Technician
Plan Bee Academy
10.2022 - 01.2023
- Team teaching through ABA based techniques to adolescent students with autism and/or other developmental disabilities and comorbidities, at the non verbal level
- Direct instruction through IEP administration, primarily in areas of functional skill acquisition, basic functional communication to include self advocating when applicable, vocational training, self care/ADL skills in the school setting and on community based outings while utilizing the principles of ABA
- Experience with augmentative communication programs and devices, the creation and use of adapted materials and visual aids to teach and assist students in a variety of applications and settings
- Behavior management utilizing ABA technique, such as antecedent manipulation, shaping, differential reinforcement, chaining, and practice of trained and approved physical management techniques, (specifically when dangerous self injurious or aggressive behaviors occurred and intervention was required to maintain student or staff safety, adhering to strict guidelines as directed
- Continual data taking, formal recording of data totals into student record, and graphing of progress towards IEP and Behavior Intervention Plan targets
- Maintenance of student records
- Daily written communications with parents or caregivers
- Collaboration with Behavior Analysts, Speech and Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists on program implementation, technique, identifying areas of strengths and where work was needed, to plan program writing or modification to best serve the students
U.S. Navy Exceptional Family Member Respite Care Provider
The Planning Council
01.2011 - 12.2022
- Company Overview: Norfolk
- Specialized care of chronically ill, and/or developmentally disabled military children in the home and community, to include therapy and specialist appointment and at activities with the parents or alone depending on the situation
- Extensive experience with children with ASD and comorbidities
- Coordination with service providers to include: BCBA’s, Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists and VBCPS Special Education/Early Interventionists to provide consistent support across providers to benefit the client and family
- Parent support, sibling care and support, and facilitating client engagement with family and community members
- Resource and Referral to related school or tricare/echo services, advocates and medicaid waiver applications and other applicable therapeutic and social outlets
- Continuous in person training at the Planning Council and via webinars
- Medication administration, experience using feeding tubes, and asthma/pneumonia treatment vest machines, nose and throat suction equipment, and toilet training
- Maintenance of service delivery and medication and treatment administration logs
- Assistance to parents in tracking EFMP paperwork for continued program eligibility
- Norfolk
ABA Therapist
Pennington Group Full Spectrum Services
01.2019 - 09.2022
- Company Overview: Virginia Beach
- Implementation of client treatment plans often with concurrent programming, via direct sessions using ABA techniques for skill acquisition, social skill acquisition, and self management, via ABA procedures and therapeutic tools under the supervision of a BCBA
- These included role play, premack principle, stimulus and response prompts, video modeling, shaping, behavior contracts, use of a timer, token boards, DTT, antecedent manipulation, differential reinforcement, FCT, visual aids, social stories, errorless learning, NET, chaining (forwards and backwards), behavior momentum, extinction, clearly stated rules and expectations with reminders and others
- Therapy settings were in-home, in-clinic and Jumpstart (Early Intervention Preschool.) and out in the community on field trips
- Experience writing and submitting comprehensive and detailed session notes for client record and insurance company approval mainly using the Central Reach (CR) system, as well as for data collection and graphing
- Experienced in manual ABC Data Collection and guided interpreting of graphed data for program modification and planning purposes
- Creating and preparing individualized program materials for target acquisition, and behavior management
- Some examples are DTT materials, visual aids and schedules, token economies, and clear instructions
- Collaborating with the BCBA regarding program modification and behavior intervention plans, generalization and maintenance plans, parent training, program integrity for consistent implementation, and reinforcement delivery systems
- With BCBA guidance, conducted: Preference assessments, VB MAPPS assessments, and Functional Behavior Assessments
- Experience with The Assessment of Functional Living Skills guide and training in PEAK
- Reporting parent concerns regarding observed behavior or programming questions for the BCBA
- Experience with teaching utilizing assistive technology devices and applications
- Well versed in incorporating aids and tools prescribed by SLP’s and occupational therapy as appropriate and applicable to ABA program targets
- Maintaining Covid Guidelines per session reliant on parent reporting, monitoring and checklist completion before delivering services
- Virginia Beach
Behavior Technician
EMG Consulting
01.2014 - 12.2016
- Company Overview: Norfolk
- Implementation of ABA treatment plan programs under the guidance and supervision of a BCBA, in-home and in the community
- Data collection
- (Manual.)
- Materials preparation
- Parent and sibling support
- Reporting parent concerns to the BCBA to be addressed
- Norfolk
Education
Work towards Master's Degree - Special Education- Behavior Analysis
01.2023
Coursework towards completing a Masters Degree program in Special Education- Behavior Analysis.
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Humanities and Psychology (Concentration in Developmental Psychology)
12.2006
Associate in Liberal Arts - Humanities and Social Sciences
08.1998
Skills
- Program Planning
- Family Support
- Emergency Preparedness
- Recruitment
- Employee Retention
- Disability Awareness
- Progress Monitoring
- Community Resource Navigation
- Legal Compliance
- Care Planning
- Behavioral support
- Schedule Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Risk Analysis
- Resource Monitoring
- Staff Management
- Instructional Material Development
- Goal attainment
- Process Implementation
- Interdepartmental Functions Coordination
- Problem-solving abilities
- Regulatory Requirements
- Employee Performance Evaluations
- Employee Training Program
- Decision-Making
- Employee Recruitment and Hiring
- Service Utilization Improvements
- Risk Management
- Critical Thinking
- Operational Records Maintenance
- Employee Supervision
- Transportation Coordination
- Applied Behavior Analysis
- Transition planning
- Group Instruction
- Developmental Disability Rehabilitation
- Behavior Observation
- Needs Assessment
- Rapport Building
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Case Management
- Behavioral Health
- Patient Advocacy
- Data collection and analysis
- Behavior Modification Techniques
- Behavior Intervention Plans
- Social Skills Development
- Crisis Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Interpersonal Communication
- Professional Demeanor
- Clinical Documentation
- Indirect Patient Care
- Team Collaboration
- Learning Style Assessments
- Curriculum Adjustments
- Conflict resolution techniques
- Individual Education Plans IEPs
- De-Escalation Techniques
- Data Management
- Instructional Strategies
- Cognitive and behavioral development
- Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
- Differentiated Instruction
- Material Selection
- Progress Evaluations
- Life Skills Instruction
- Skills Development
Certification
- Registered Behavior Technician, Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), Active, RBT-19-91992, 07/06/23
- BLS Provider, American Heart Association, Active
- DBHDS-Person Centered ISP Development (Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services)Certificate of Completion
- TOVA Behavior Management and Person-Centered Certificate of Completion
- Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Supervision Training Certificates 1-3)
- Behavioral Competency Certificate (DBHDS)
- Autism Competency Certificate (DBHDS)
Volunteer Experience
- Equikids Therapeutic Riding Program
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools Volunteer
- USN Ombudsman
- Student and family IEP Advocacy work
Timeline
In-Home Support Coordinator - Charis Support Services
10.2023 - Current
Registered Behavior Technician - Plan Bee Academy
10.2022 - 01.2023
ABA Therapist - Pennington Group Full Spectrum Services
01.2019 - 09.2022
Behavior Technician - EMG Consulting
01.2014 - 12.2016
U.S. Navy Exceptional Family Member Respite Care Provider - The Planning Council
01.2011 - 12.2022
- Registered Behavior Technician, Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), Active, RBT-19-91992, 07/06/23
- BLS Provider, American Heart Association, Active
- DBHDS-Person Centered ISP Development (Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services)Certificate of Completion
- TOVA Behavior Management and Person-Centered Certificate of Completion
- Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Supervision Training Certificates 1-3)
- Behavioral Competency Certificate (DBHDS)
- Autism Competency Certificate (DBHDS)
Arizona State University-Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College - Work towards Master's Degree, Special Education- Behavior Analysis
Empire State College - Bachelor of Arts Degree, Humanities and Psychology (Concentration in Developmental Psychology)
Rockland Community College - Associate in Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
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