Kylene Caquelin

I always knew I wanted to work with kids. Today, I’m doing just that as a board-certified behavior analyst at No Stone Unturned in Manhattan. I work with kids who are diagnosed with autism to lessen their maladaptive behaviors. Maladaptive behaviors are actions that stop someone from facing new or challenging situations in a healthy way. I teach my patients techniques for practicing more appropriate, alternative behaviors. I also work with caregivers and train them on how to help children use those same skills in other areas of their lives.

Getting the training and experience for this role started by becoming a registered behavior technician, which is an entry-level position in the field. After being an RBT for about 10 years, I enrolled in grad school at the University of Kansas for the Applied Behavior Analysis program. While in school, I completed 2,000 hours of supervised work in the field. Then, I passed the board-certified behavior analyst exam.

My favorite part of this job is watching kids learn new skills, especially when they learn effective ways to communicate their wants and needs. I love meeting and working with families in the Manhattan area, and I’d love to expand the communities I work with to reach more rural spots.

If you’re interested in this career path, spend time around children and adults with disabilities in whatever way you can. If you’re lucky enough to live near a company that offers applied behavior analysis services, try to shadow an employee. Otherwise, you can shadow a different kind of therapy or volunteer at programs in your community that support people with disabilities.