Submitted by: Lara Lanza, M.Ed., BCBA

Hi, my name is Lara and I have been working for Reaching Milestones for the past 4 years and I wanted to tell my story about how Reaching Milestones inspired me to “reach my personal milestones!”

In April of 2013 I graduated from an undergraduate program at the University of North Florida. I had such a passion for children but was still unsure of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I met someone who took a class called Behavior Modification, which is what Applied Behavior Analysis was referred to years ago, and this person let me borrow some of her materials from the class to see if it sparked my interest. Once I read some of it – and saw how much this field impacts the lives of children with special needs – I was sold!

I began my first semester of Graduate School at the University of North Florida in August of 2013 and immediately began taking ABA classes! The first semester was spent learning different types of protocols and strategies to help better the lives of special individuals and it really solidified that this was the path for me.

In February 2014, I applied for my first job within the ABA field. I wasn’t completely sure how the practices I was learning in school would be implemented in the real world. I was lost and did not know where to search for such a facility to implement those amazing protocols. I did some research online and found some reviews for a few clinics and Reaching Milestones was first on my list – and thank goodness it was – because little did I know how much Reaching Milestones would provide so many growth opportunities and possibilities within my career!

Although Graduate School prepared me with tons of knowledge on different facets of the field, nothing prepared me more with such knowledge and growth than Reaching Milestones. Seeing the types of team members that RM had developed aspired me to want to REACH my own MILESTONES!

Through great preparation, I was able to reach many milestones within my career with the help of RM. Beginning as an RBT, RM prepared me for my future as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) – which was the next milestone on my list! Through intensive training from fellow BCBA members of the RM team I was able to conquer the milestone of being a BCBA within the company. I remember thinking, “I did it! I achieved my goal! I reached my milestone!” I was so excited to finally be a BCBA.

Being a BCBA presented great opportunities to pursue further development within the company, and the next milestone on my list was to become a Supervising Analyst.

RM successfully created a path supplied with prodigious support and direction towards that next milestone I wanted to reach! Being a Supervising Analyst has really helped maintain the skills I learned within this applied field and keeps me on my toes, thinking of different types of strategies that work best for our children, based off the functions of their behavior.

But my path did not stop there. Currently, I am in transition from Clinical Coordinator to Clinical Director at one of the many successful Reaching Milestones centers.

Being a part of a company that does not show limits, but rather offers opportunities to excel, sets team members up for success! Not only does RM help such amazing children achieve milestone after milestone, but the organization really does prepare team members to achieve and reach their personal milestones – just like I did!

Through hard work, dedication, and a supportive company like Reaching Milestones, I can confidently say that I was able to achieve more than I thought would be possible within my career as a 26-year-old woman, and I have and I WILL continue to aspire to REACH MILESTONES!

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Submitted by: Lara Lanza, M.Ed., BCBA

You’re a mom of two children, trying to fit all of your daily necessities into a 24-hour day; seems impossible with two kiddos! Of course all of their “behaviors” emerge when you are trying to get “me” stuff done. On top of trying to get your “me” necessities completed, it is time for Christmas shopping! The kiddos scream of joy when they find out they are going to go Christmas shopping with you! The fear of having your kiddos want every toy in the store, especially the expensive toys, can be mind consuming. From mom’s perspective it may seem like a tedious task – but I have a solution!

Throughout my time working as a BCBA, I have come across some protocols that will be very helpful to the average mom who has trouble denying access to certain tangibles; especially when the price of such tangibles is out of mom’s price range. To moms out there, here is my advice:

We women love to carry nice big purses; one suggestion I might add is to fill those purses with some yummy delicious edibles for your kiddos. Carry backup supplies such as an iPad, tablet, cars, or little toys that your kiddos gravitate towards. These items will come in handy when trying to get Christmas gifts for the family.

Your child, whom is walking very nicely next to you, grabs an $80.00 toy from the shelf. Your little kiddo says. “Mommy! This toy is amazing! I have to have it!” The $80.00 price is out of your price range but you see the same toy but smaller for $40.00. You, being the best mom in the world, would love to buy everything in the store for your amazing kiddos but the $80.00 price range is not realistic. Mom, this is what you should do:

Inform your kiddo that the toy is not able to be purchased- decline access to the toy but offer the smaller similar toy paired with one of the really cool reinforcing items from your purse. “Bobby, no you cannot have that big toy today but you can have this smaller toy and your “skittles, iPad, or crackers etc.”

If Bobby does not comply- “Ugh Mommy! Why? I want that toy Mommy and begins to scream and cry-remove the skittles, iPad, or crackers by putting them back into your purse, block access to both the big toy and the little toy, ignore his problem behaviors, and continue shopping. Bobby no longer has the opportunity to have Mommy purchase that toy for him.

If Bobby complies and says, “Okay Mommy” then your master ABA mom skills have worked! Reinforce his amazing behavior by letting him grab the toy and put it in the cart and let him choose between the awesome reinforcers in your purse!

Way to go Mom!

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Richmond Hill Center – Annika Correll, BCaBA and Jamie Redding, BCaBA

Hinesville Center – Darcy Fallon, BCaBA and Megan White, BCaBA

Doctors Lake Center – Karma Flotkoetter, BCBA and Janelle Glova, BCaBA.

Augusta Center – Lauren Russell, BCaBA.

Congratulations to you all!

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