Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Wilson
Hi Tasha , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started working with special needs when I was 19 at SASSLC. After that, I worked in group homes for the disabled and I enjoyed it. I didn’t know much about the behavioral field until I started working in placements for juveniles in which they had behavior goals to earn things and outings. While working in those environments, I was in my master’s program for special education (law), and my twin sister’s first child was diagnosed with Autism. She began receiving ABA therapy and I also had a child who was dyslexic and required extra help in school. This inspired and prompted me to learn about the school system and the different options for help that were available. I had about a year left in my master’s program and my then-best friend called and was like “You need to come to work with me at my cousin’s company, she is a BCBA”. I was apprehensive because I had never heard of a BCBA before. I researched what they did, which was interesting, so I became an RBT. I had a great mentor, she was very encouraging and knowledgeable, she began to throw special assignments at me, and she allowed me to assist with treatment planning and assessing clients. I enjoyed the entire process, so when I graduated from my master’s program I enrolled in FIT (Florida Institute of Technology) to become a BCBA. This process was over the course of 3-4 years, so I felt really well-versed and invested in the behavioral field by now. After becoming a BCBA, I worked for a center-based ABA company, it wasn’t really what I expected due to me coming from the in-home behavior setting. I didn’t like it! For me, the experience was really far from the principles of behavior, and the implementation of the therapy that was given was lax, very routine, and not individualized enough. The turnover was extremely high and a lot of my colleagues were new to the field, they had never been an RBT or been in the field, and in my opinion, they didn’t invest enough stock/energy (training, listening, redirecting, supporting, etc.) into the RBTs they were supervising or the treatment plans they were putting out. The progress of the clients we were serving suffered because of it. I moved on from the center and went back to the in-home for a year, I loved it, I was in my element but I was overworked and not supported enough. I tried another center, but it was a lot of the same things (turnovers, no structure, lack of progress, lack of communication, etc.). I was pretty much training and building up the company and the environment was extremely exhausting and stressful. I put in my dues and learned a lot. I decided it was time to branch out on my own and I had loyal clients and RBTs that have followed me to multiple companies, so I prayed on it and took a leap of faith. I created Contour Behavior Collaborative because providing a quality service to those in need doesn’t have to be complicated. Providing an environment of inclusivity and support to all clients, parents, and staff was the goal in mind and is what I continuously work towards.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This has absolutely been a very stressful but worthwhile road. Full of lessons. I have struggled with self-doubt and burnout many times. I have definitely learned that all services provided are not quality services and there is no way to appease everyone. I doubted myself because I tried to minimize my passion for the field and teach/ give knowledge to people who didn’t understand or care about the things that I believe in as a practitioner of ABA. I have had to grow my mind and find peace and understanding that not everyone will understand the vision, passion, and energy that I put forth to those I serve. It’s extremely easy to get burned out in this field when you can’t find the joy in what we are supposed to be doing. The real struggle is learning where to allocate your energy and resources to make sure that you are producing and implementing a quality service with data-driven successful results. I feel that I have successfully learned how to navigate and continue to work daily on improving my skills, my mind, and this company.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Contour Behavior Collaborative ?
Contour Behavior Collaborative is focused on providing a quality therapeutic outlook utilizing applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy services for your child at home in a safe and nurturing environment. We provide a variety of services such as In-home, school (upon approval), daycare, and community-based behavioral supports; parent and community training, and advocacy services for IEPs, FBAs, and BIPs for all settings. I think that the thing that makes my company different from others is that our mission is to provide an individualized experience for every child and family. We seek to reach you where your need is, to provide a teachable and realistic approach to treatment, and to provide educational opportunities for growth while providing support and resources, and building a sense of community. We aim to provide a personal approach using applied behavioral analysis by tailoring learning methods to each client’s needs while creating memories, and rich experiences and building bonds that last. We make it a point to be relatable and teach towards real-life experiences. Children with Autism, grow up to be adults with Autism. We should be teaching goals that will hold significance to how they (the individual with Autism) will live, adapt, and grow into a better independent version of themselves for the future (when they no longer have their parents around, when insurance no longer approves the therapy service, etc.). Although I am a new business owner, I am most proud that we are sticking to the basics, staying knowledgeable, and providing a safe space for all involved (parents, clients, teachers, staff, etc.) to learn and grow together as collaborators because we are all a team.
How do you define success?
I think that success has many different meanings. For me, I think that success is when you truly find happiness and peace in life. When you have learned to find joy in the lessons (hard times/roadblocks etc.) that were meant to destroy or break you.
Pricing:
- Services are paid by insurance. We currently accept Tricare, BCBS and more to come…
Contact Info:
- Website: https://contourbehaviorcollab.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contourbehaviorcollaborative/reel/DCzV2WEuQoK/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550747333393
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/contour-behavior-collaborative-san-antonio
