Staff Spotlight: Shea Bouziden
This month’s Staff Spotlight is Shea, an RBT who joined the Keystone team eight months ago! Since joining us in May, Shea has worked diligently with her little besties, helping them learn essential skills that will make navigating a neurotypical world a little more manageable.
Shea started her career in ABA, in part because her cousin is Autistic and she felt a connection to helping kids become more independent. Before Keystone, she briefly worked at another center but found that she did not mesh well with the way that center approached ABA. She felt their approach lacked compassion and care, so when she saw a job posting for Keystone on Indeed, Shea decided to try a different center. The difference between the two centers was evident, and Keystone proved to be a much better fit for Shea. I asked her what set Keystone apart, and she pointed to several things that ultimately boiled down to a more compassionate approach to ABA and greater care for students overall. On top of the fundamental way Keystone views their students, Shea said that the BCBA’s were much more involved here. Always willing to assist, answer questions, and give advice.
For anyone interested in ABA, Shea’s advice is simple but powerful: patience, empathy, and compassion are essential. Although there are hard days, the work is worth it. It is incredibly rewarding to be a part of each student’s progress and to see how you are making a difference in their lives. The foundation of that work, she explains, is pairing. You must build connections with each student and talk to them as you would anyone else. Every student is different and understanding how much energy to bring to each session matters immensely.
Outside of work, you can find Shea unwinding by hanging out with friends, going to the gym, working on puzzles, or scrolling on TikTok. She also admits that sometimes relaxing means seeing that pile of laundry that needs putting away… and turning the other way. But her biggest mood booster is her dog, who may be a little annoying at times, but never fails to lift her mood. I asked if she had unlimited time, money, and energy, and what she would spend her time doing. Almost immediately, she said she would travel. She wants to explore the world and see what it has to offer, going on adventures and learning new skills like surfing or snowboarding.
When I asked Shea what some of her favorite or most rewarding moments were, she pointed to moments like a student saying her name for the first time or remembering a special handshake they had created together. From the outside, those seem like small moments, but they are significant indicators of student growth and the connection Shea has with her students. We are so lucky to have such a compassionate and dedicated RBT on our team!