Employee Spotlight: KellyAnn Thomas, RBT

Where do you call home?  

I am living in Haverhill, MA and have been here for over seven years. 

How many years have you worked in the ABA field?  

I started working in the ABA field in 2021 after Covid I decided to try a new field and career in ABA working with clients. 

How did you end up working for Applied ABC?   

I applied for a part time position at Applied ABC in 2022 through Indeed and had a video interview which was one of my first interviews through Zoom. 

What’s the most fulfilling part of your work?  

I really enjoy using Assistive Technology and sign language to help nonverbal individuals with their communication skills.  I really like working with teenagers and helping them achieve their goals with living skills.

How do you unwind after a long day? 

I enjoy drawing and working on graphic design programs which I like to design ideas for projects.  I also enjoy playing with my three cats. 

What are some interesting facts about you?  

I have two master’s degrees and a degree in Interior Design.  I enjoy studying design concepts and my passion other than fashion illustration and textiles are learning about the latest technology trends, psychology and animals.  My favorite animals I am learning about today are felines and owls.  

Could you talk about a meaningful success story that you had with a client?  

My success story that I recently experienced with a young teenage client who is a high functioning autistic individual who recently graduated from their program.  I was working with my client on many different programs to increase their independent living and communication skills.  Throughout the programs and each session we were working on increasing and trying new hobbies, foods and social interaction and making choices during each session with role playing and other strategies to increase their confidence to do these on their own.  Their abilities to utilize their social skills in other environments and use important life skills at home, school and other places had improved which led to independent decision making and improved social skills out in the public on their own.  I felt that this was one of the most successful experiences I had ever witnessed and was a part of which had made me realize the power of ABA skills in my career.