Jennica Nill is a stay-at-home mom. Her youngest son was diagnosed with Autism in 2001 at the age of 21 months. For the past four years, she has dedicated herself to becoming an educated consumer and advocate of applied behavior analysis through networking with parents and professionals, attending workshops on behavior analysis and autism, and writing informational literature for consumers and educators. Mrs. Nill is a 2004 graduate of the Partners in Policymaking program, “an innovative national model of leadership training for people with developmental disabilities, parents and family members”. She applied this advocacy training in providing testimony before New York State officials and committees in support of behavior analysis and the recognition of BACB certifications. Jennica is serving her second year as consumer representative for the leadership of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis.

My commitment to behavior analysis began shortly after my son was diagnosed with Autism. After 1 ½ years of early intervention at a state-approved "ABA" school, I became concerned with my son’s lack of progress and the conclusions of school staff that my son had reached a ‘plateau’. I researched the internet and discovered that two moms here on Long Island had started a non-profit organization to “Educate the Educators” in behavior analysis and autism. I began going to their monthly conferences, most of which are presented by Board Certified Behavior Analysts. I was both devastated and relieved to learn that my earlier training in ABA, and my son’s present "ABA" school interventions, were outdated and misguided. I believed that the school programs were poorly implemented, the staff were not properly qualified, and the supervision was inadequate. We pulled my son out of the school and began a 30 hour per week in-home ABA program. Our school district supplied "free" state-approved teachers, however we had to make the educational program "appropriate" by paying $1,000’s privately for training, supervision and guidance from a qualified consultant and BCBA.

In my own state, I advocate for recognition of Behavior Analyst Certification Board credentials by educating policymakers about the BACB and the need to, as stated in the Association for Behavior Analysis consumer guidelines, "provide safeguards for consumers, including means of screening potential providers and some recourse if incompetent or unethical practices are encountered".

I believe parents and families sharing their personal stories and advocating for choice, quality and safeguards will strongly influence policymakers to support the recognition of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) and Board Certified Associate Behavior Analysts (BCABA), a much needed step towards advancing behavior analysis and quality treatment.

I appreciate this opportunity to serve as the Consumer Representative on the BACB Board of Directors. It truly is an honor to work collaboratively with many of the professionals whose work has made such a difference in my family’s life. I would like to thank the BACB and all of its certificants for their dedication to this field, our children, and our families.

Jennica Nill