Jacque joined ABI’s team as a skills trainer in February 2015. Since then she has acquired her registered behavior technician (RBT) credential and has been promoted to a lead RBT position.  Her journey with ABI began thanks to her sister, Jacque, also a team member at ABI. Jacque remembers, “I was very excited to apply and I’m glad I did, because I have learned so much and love having a job that is so rewarding.”

As a lead RBT, Jacque especially loves providing ABA treatment at schools and helping her clients be as independent as possible in the school setting. She also greatly enjoys ABI’s team-oriented approach; she loves working with her supervisors, other skills trainers, parents, and teachers. “When you are working with a team it makes a child’s victories so much more fun because you are able to share the successes with so many people!”

Jacque has many favorite memories from the almost four years at ABI and recounted one recent memory that stands out to her. “While at my client’s school, I was talking to my supervisor. My client suddenly turned to me, tapped me, and said, ‘excuse me.’ When I looked at him, he was making perfect eye contact and had his pointer finger to his mouth to shush me!  I was proud because I was on his team when three programs were put in place that helped make this moment happen! The first was teaching him eye contact, the second was teaching him to gain a person’s attention by tapping them or saying, “excuse me,” and the third was teaching him common gestures people use. In that moment, he had taken three skills that had been taught to him to let me know that my talking was disturbing his classwork!”

Her advice to new skill trainers is, “(1) Do not be afraid to ask questions! I will always be the person in a team meeting with questions ready to be asked! Do not be afraid to ask for clarification, or for help. I’ve found that supervisors are always willing to answer and help you understand! I have even sometimes asked the same question twice if I still do not understand. It makes you a better skills trainer!  (2) Set an alarm for all your administrative duties such a logging Welligent, and locking hours.  It will make your life easier those first couple of months when you’re trying to get used to so many new things. (3) Also have a good playlist, podcast, or audiobook for your drive!”

In her free time, Jacque spends time with her chocolate lab, Arrow. Taking him for a walk or to the dog park is one of her favorite things to do after work. She also loves to play board games that are so competitive they almost end friendships.

Thanks, Jacque, for all your hard work and dedication to our kids.