Caymanians Making a Difference

In 2010 The Wellness Centre hired Sloane Pharr, a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst from the USA to develop their ABA programme.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence based therapeutic intervention for children with autism. According to Shannon Seymour, Director “There are 30 years of science behind the effectiveness of ABA, so when I was looking for a clinical response to the increasing number of children with autism being referred to our clinic I wanted to offer something with scientific evidence behind it”.

ABA is effective at improving communication, social skills, cognitive ability and learning. It’s also very effective at reducing challenging behaviours, and in particular those behaviours which interfere with a child’s ability to learn at a typical rate.   

The demand for ABA services currently out weights The Wellness Centre’s capacity so the focus has shifted from hiring overseas therapists to training young Caymanians interested in working in the field of ABA.

Emily Scott is the newest member of the ABA team and is currently completing her RBT™ designation over the summer. Emily graduated in May 2016 with a BSc (Hons) in Pre-Professional Psychology from Andrews University in Michigan and heads off to the University of Rochester, NY this fall to begin a Masters programme in Human Development with BCBA coursework and practicum.  According to Ms. Scott; “Working at The Wellness Centre this summer is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable exposure to ABA therapy. I am getting practical clinical experience that I know will give me a definite advantage as I start my Masters programme”.

<<< Read the full story in Loop Cayman >>>