Today we’d like to introduce you to Zakira Golden
Hi Zakira, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was first introduced to the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) through a former student. At the time, I worked in a preschool as a 2-year-old teacher. When my student would arrive to class, his sister would approach me daily, and initiate conversations with me. As time went on, the mother of the children pulled me aside and informed me that her daughter was on the Autism Spectrum and that I had a gift for this area of work.
After leaving the preschool setting to start my Master’s Practicum, I stayed in touch with the family. The mother reached out and asked if I could tutor her daughter because we interacted so well together. One particular day, we ended our tutoring session early so that she could attend her ABA Therapy session. I asked the family if I could stay to ask her ABA Therapist more questions, and to shadow the session. This is where my love for the field grew!
Eventually, I reached out to the owner of the ABA company and she agreed to take me under her wing to train me to become a therapist. I eventually became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Throughout my career I have worked with children, teens, and adults on the Autism Spectrum. My work sites have included community based ABA programs, facilitating an adult social skills group in Gwinnett County, working on the severe unit at Children Healthcare of Atlanta’s Marcus Autism Center, and starting my own practice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road to the path of success in the ABA Therapy world. Speaking strictly to the practice ownership side, there are many barriers to successful Client outcomes. Barriers include affordable healthcare, family schedules (moving or transferring schools/districts), changes/issues with Client transportation to sessions, securing insurance approvals for services, and creating a dedicated team of therapists to facilitate services.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My practice, Behavior Analysis and Intervention Center has been incorporated for 5 years. We first started with in-home services in 2019 and now have a center location in Powder Springs, GA. My practice focuses on Behavior Reduction, Skill Acquisition, Social Skills, Community Based Skills, Parent Training, Toilet Training, and Functional Communication. We also support our community through volunteering, disseminating information pertaining to the science of behavior, and we are an internship site for college/university programs through Kennesaw State University and Life University.
Our agency slogan is, “Together, there’s nothing we can’t do!” We truly believe that working together is one of the key factors in our Client’s growth and wellness. Coordinating care with other medical providers and caregivers such as Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Teachers, and families is critical to ensure our interventions are generalizing outside of our direct sessions.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe that good or bad luck has played a part in my life and business. I believe that hard work, dedication, having a village of supporters, and prayer have played the most significant roles in my life and business. Most people only see the end result when it comes to a successful life and business. They don’t see the 8 years of higher education that I had to complete including my Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Advanced Graduate Certificate Program. Additionally, becoming a BCBA took completing 1500 hours of training before being eligible to sit for our national board exam. There were many times where I questioned if this was the route for me because of the hard work and time needed to reach the end goal. I’m happy that I stayed the course, faced all obstacles to be able to provide ethical services, and employ a team of therapists and admin personnel.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bainterventioncenter.com/
- Instagram: @baicautism
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bainterventioncenter
