Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Bevington.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was lucky to find the field of Applied Behavior Analysis when I decided to change paths in the last semester of my bachelor’s degree. I was planning on pursuing further education to become a counselor, but decided that wasn’t the best fit so I began looking for jobs in hopes of finding a different path. My fiancé at the time (now husband) found a job posting to work 1:1 with children with autism. I had never heard of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and knew very little about autism, but the job excited me and I had always had a heart for children.
Fast forward a few months and I began working at an autism center and quickly fell in love with ABA. Being able to play such a substantial role in a child’s growth and learning, while building a genuine relationship with them was so rewarding and fun. Over the next few years, I completed my Master’s Degree in Special Education, required internship hours, and passed the certification exam to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
I have been lucky to have worked at two different amazing ABA companies that offer unique and effective approaches to the children and families that they serve. This allowed me to receive rare training that not many BCBAs have access to, which ultimately sparked my curiosity about what it might look like to combine these two approaches. This along with my continued passion to provide 1:1 support to children led me to leap in January 2023 to start Discover Autism Support.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would not describe my path as smooth, but I would describe each step as rewarding. Becoming credentialed through insurance as a solo provider (i.e. not a large company) and reaching families who are looking for services have been the main obstacles that I have had to overcome.
I am lucky enough to have an amazing support system including friends and family, as well as other solo providers and entrepreneurs that have helped me tremendously. While there have been many obstacles, it has all been worth it and I am proud to be a part of the amazing autism community in Denver who provide such a wide range of support to individuals with autism.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Discover Autism Support?
Discover Autism Support provides in-home 1:1 support to children who have been diagnosed with autism to help them learn various skills including communication and language, play skills, social skills, addressing behavioral challenges, school readiness, safety skills, daily living skills, toilet training, and more.
I have experience working with children with autism ranging from 1 year to 7 years of age and have significant experience in caregiver training and support in the home and community.
What sets Discover apart from other ABA providers is that all services are provided directly by a BCBA, rather than by different staff members, to ensure accelerated progress and the highest quality of care. This allows there to be daily discussions about progress, quick progression through goals, and consistency for the family and child.
Discover Autism Support accepts Medicaid, Cigna, Aetna, and Anthem BCBS, and offers private pay options as well.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe that empathy is one of the most important qualities that ensures the services I provide are compassionate and impactful. This includes being sensitive to family values as well as the small actions a child might do to tell you what they like or don’t like.
This has allowed me to build firm relational foundations with the kiddos I work with and their families. No matter the skill that we are working on, my number one goal is always to make sure the child feels comfortable and can express their authentic self.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Thomas Bevington
