Reflecting On Ten Years
An Interview with Our Executive Director
Jane Barbin, PhD, BCBA-D
As our ten year anniversary celebration draws to a close, Stacey McIntyre, MA, BCBA (one of our first behavioral consultants) sits down with Dr. Jane Barbin to reflect and look to the future.
SM: What made you want to work in behavior analysis?
Dr. B: It is a ministry to me in many ways, working with children and families with often intensive needs. It is a service to others within a profession, upholding the integrity and quality of life for each person and family is a strong value I hold and promote within Behavioral Directions. I began in the field originally creating behavior plans for those with developmental disabilities in group homes, after getting my Master's Degree in Psychology. This position helped cover school expenses for my doctoral studies; I loved the work and stayed in the field.
SM: Where were you trained in behavior analysis?
Dr. B: My Master's degree in Psychology is from the University of South Alabama in Mobile. I trained in Clinical Psychology and received my Ph.D. at Louisiana State University (LSU) with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis so I am a Southerner at heart. LSU was beginning their behavior analysis program at the time; I worked with both Dr. Johnny Matson and Dr. Tim Vollmer while there which was a great opportunity! I then spent an internship year at the Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine working with children with feeding disorders and those with severe behavior disorders. I value the great experience and mentors I had there.
SM: What populations have you served and in what settings have you worked as a behavior analyst?
Dr. B: I have primarily done consulting work to schools and families, which I love. It is challenging in some ways as you don't have control of all of the contingencies for behavior change as a consultant, so you must rely on building trust and good relationships, great communication skills and offering effective methods to our consumers. My initial position after graduate school was as Founding Director of a school-based ABA program for children with autism at the Ivymount School in Rockville which was merged into the now larger Ivymount Autism Program, a model intervention program in the area. Gaining experience as a school staff member and training teachers to work with our students with autism was an invaluable experience. Currently I work primarily with individuals with autism and behavior disorders, but have worked in group home and hospital settings with adults, teens and children.
SM: Describe your current position and what you like best about it.
Dr. B: I love the data based aspect of behavior analysis. Long ago (not that long ago!) I thought I wanted to become an accountant so the value and use of data is an interesting and surprising twist which I love about my job. Of course, it is so gratifying to see children and families make behavior changes, even in small incremental ways. It can be life changing; for example when a family is able, with our support, to go on outings or attend a religious service with their child for the first time. Also, to see those moments when inclusion becomes possible and meaningful for a student. I love teacher training and working with school and home ABA teams when there is good synergy and commitment to the child and the science.
SM: After celebrating 10 years in private practice, what has been the most rewarding experience for you?
Dr. B: I have enjoyed seeing the practice grow without compromising the quality standards we are known for, and to reflect on the many lives we have touched. It is gratifying to have schools welcome and sometimes request our support and to commit to the science. I am most proud of the courageous work our clients and their families have done. This work requires them to stick to plans that are often tedious and take time to work, and are often not immediately reinforcing to parents. I am grateful to these families for allowing us to come into their lives to support them to keep the momentum going.
SM: In the next 10 years, how do you see your practice and the field of behavior analysis advancing?
Dr. B: We are excited to be offering our first summer Autism Clinic this year and the response has been overwhelming. Licensing of behavior analysts in our state is also a great development. Accordingly, autism insurance coverage is an avenue of greater advocacy and awareness, requiring us to maintain solid credentialing of our profession. It is a turning point. Also, at Behavioral Directions we strongly advocate for better consumer awareness of appropriate interventions and credentialed providers as there is a great deal of variability in this area. It is confusing for consumers and they often are overwhelmed and unable to process all of the information in a way that will ensure progress and treatment accountability for their children. My hope is that our practice and the behavior analysis field will continue to inform, commit strongly to our Ethics Code, and remain objective in order to best help and advocate for consumer best interest.
SM: Just for fun, tell me one talent/hobby you have outside the field of behavior analysis.
Dr. B: I love spending time at home with my husband and children, watching our children grow! I also love time with friends at a spa or having afternoon tea - both are guilty pleasures of mine and restorative to me!
SM: Thank you for sharing your reflections with me and best wishes for continued success at Behavioral Directions!
About Stacey McIntyre, MA, BCBA: Ms. McIntyre is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Director of Behavioral Services at the Ivymount School in Rockville, MD, where she oversees school-wide behavioral programming. She has presented at both local and national conferences in the areas of autism, behavior disorders, and best practice methods.
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