Hello and WELCOME! Here, I attempt to bridge the gap between "work-Mandy" and "personal life-Mandy" and to use this platform as a way to showcase my journey as a Behaviour Therapist and my love of travelling! I believe strongly that people should work to live, not live to work, and in this regard, I've really tried to use my professional skills in as many places as I can and educate parents and travellers about ABA, spreading autism awareness, and mental health in general.
Through this website, I hope to share my experiences and provide a resource for families and fellow ABA professionals alike.
This site is continuously being improved. Please feel free to contact me with any feedback, comments or questions!
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Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Practicing ABA since: April 2009
How did it start?: I initially planned to be a Music Therapist during my undergrad, but decided to take a different route midway through, and ended up completing my B.A in music and psychology. After graduation, I applied for a 1-year working holiday visa to Ireland, an experience that cemented my love for (mostly solo) travel. Back in Toronto, I decided pursue Music Therapy again, however, this time, focusing on the "therapy" part rather than the "music" part. I enrolled in a 1-year post graduate course called Autism and Behavioural Sciences at George Brown College. As I learned more about behavioural principles and how the human behaviors are formed and shaped, I became completely engrossed in this field of study. After graduation, I worked part-time job as a social skills worker at the Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto. That's how it began!
(fun fact: I played violin during my music years at Laurier.)
Best part of being a Behaviour Therapist: After working weeks or months on a particularly difficult skill, being told the child I work was seen doing the skill/task independently, and in an appropriate and natural setting.
Worst part of being a Behaviour Therapist: Families members who do not follow the directions suggested by the Behaviour Therapist, resulting in the child not mastering a skill completely, or the skills are not regularly maintained, causing all past effort to teach the skill to be wasted. This often occurs when there is little trust between the caregiver and the therapist, or when the caregiver do not believe that ABA methods of teaching are effective, yet do not want to be left out of receiving treatment for their child.
Which is better, freelance or working in a company?: Both have their pros and cons! Being freelance have allowed me to make my own schedule and agreement directly with the client, while being a part of a company/agency of professionals allows for constant mentoring opportunities and exposure to different ways of teaching, which has helped me become a better behaviour therapist!
Are you Board Certified? I am not currently a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) but am receiving regular mentorship from a dedicated BCBA in the UK. I must stress that finding the right Behaviour Therapist/Analyst who is confidant, knowledgeable, and willing to work with the family's individual needs, regardless of certification, is the most important factor to a successful intervention!
What languages can you speak?
English (fluent in speaking, writing, and understanding)
Cantonese (fluent in speaking and understanding)
French (novice in speaking and reading)
Mandarin (novice in speaking and understanding).
Current location: London, United Kingdom
In my free time: I enjoy going out for a strolls on a sunny days, going to the beach, browsing outdoor markets and vintage shops, photography, and painting. I also enjoy hosting dinner parties, ice-skating, interior decorating, and playing board games (Settlers of Catan is my favourite!)
Some life lessons I learned through the years and/or currently still learning: Don't take things too personally, stay flexible and optimistic in challenging times, and learn to love being with yourself.