Paula Van Der Meij
Miami
Summary
I am a passionate master’s-level Applied Behavior Analysis student with hands-on clinical experience working with children with autism across skill acquisition, communication, social, and adaptive behavior programs. My training includes implementing evidence-based teaching procedures such as prompting and fading, reinforcement, data collection, and program modification based on learner progress. In addition to early intervention, I’m also interested in applying ABA principles to academic settings, including tutoring secondary school students by teaching learning strategies, promoting independence, and supporting generalization of skills across environments.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Intern
Everge
Amsterdam Netherlands
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Developed educational and interactive content for a mobile application designed to support and enhance parent–child communication
- Created parent-friendly language models, prompts, and activity ideas to promote expressive and receptive communication in young children
- Contributed to content focused on early developmental skills, emotional expression, and daily routines
- Collaborated with designers and developers to ensure content was engaging, accessible, and developmentally appropriate
- Applied principles of behavior and learning to structure communication-building activities
Volunteer Youth Worker
Podwiślańska Fundacja Społeczna
Warsaw, Poland
05.2019 - 08.2021
- Provided one-to-one and small-group support to children and adolescents, promoting social, communication, and adaptive skills
- Assisted with implementation of structured activities targeting emotional regulation, cooperation, and peer interaction
- Used positive reinforcement and prompting strategies to encourage appropriate behavior and participation
- Supported development of daily living skills through guided practice and modeling
- Created a safe, supportive environment while fostering independence and confidence in youth
Assistant Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach
Gimnastyczny Warszawski Klub Sportowy - Legia
Warsaw, Poland
10.2018 - 07.2020
- Supported instruction of rhythmic gymnastics skills through structured practice, modeling, and step-by-step guidance
- Used shaping, prompting, and positive reinforcement to help athletes acquire complex motor sequences
- Assisted in planning and leading group training sessions focused on coordination, flexibility, balance, and discipline
- Provided individualized feedback to improve performance and build confidence
- Supported younger athletes with emotional regulation and task persistence during training
Tutor for Secondary School Students
Maria Kreczmar
Warsaw, Poland
12.2019 - 05.2020
- Developed personalized lesson plans to address individual student needs and learning styles.
- Facilitated engaging tutoring sessions that enhanced students' comprehension in various subjects.
- Broke down complex material into manageable steps to promote skill acquisition and mastery
- Used positive reinforcement and performance feedback to increase engagement and task completion
- Built rapport with students while maintaining clear expectations and consistent routines
In-Home Babysitter
Marta Van Der Toolen
Warsaw, Poland
09.2016 - 05.2020
- Provided one-to-one care for children in a home setting, supporting daily routines and age-appropriate activities
- Promoted communication, play, and social skills through structured and naturalistic interactions
- Used positive reinforcement and clear expectations to encourage cooperative behavior
- Assisted with daily living skills such as mealtime routines, hygiene, and transitions between activities
- Implemented consistent schedules to support predictability and emotional regulation
Education
Master of Science - Applied Behavior Analysis
University of Miami
Miami, FL08-2026
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Queen Mary University of London
London, England07-2024
High School Diploma -
The British School of Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland05-2020
Skills
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) intervention implementation
- Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
- Skill acquisition programming and behavior reduction support
- Data collection, graphing, and progress monitoring
- Preference and reinforcement assessments
- Prompting procedures (Most-to-Least, Least-to-Most, time delay)
- Single-subject data analysis and visual inspection
- Microsoft Excel (data entry, graph creation, basic formulas)
- Statistical software proficiency (SPSS) for data analysis
- Development of teaching protocols and task analyses
- Parent communication and progress reporting
- Observation, measurement, and documentation of behavior
- Evidence-based intervention implementation
- Collaboration with BCBAs and multidisciplinary teams
Certification
- Adult & Pediatric First Aid / CPR / AED Certified
- Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certified
- Safety-Care Behavioral Safety Training Certified
- Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter Training)
- CITI Program: Responsible Conduct of Research (Social & Behavioral Sciences, Basic Course)
- CITI Program: Health Information Privacy and Security (HIPS)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Polish
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Intern
Everge
05.2023 - 08.2023
Tutor for Secondary School Students
Maria Kreczmar
12.2019 - 05.2020
Volunteer Youth Worker
Podwiślańska Fundacja Społeczna
05.2019 - 08.2021
Assistant Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach
Gimnastyczny Warszawski Klub Sportowy - Legia
10.2018 - 07.2020
In-Home Babysitter
Marta Van Der Toolen
09.2016 - 05.2020
Master of Science - Applied Behavior Analysis
University of Miami
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Queen Mary University of London
High School Diploma -
The British School of Warsaw