Kelly, our new PBS Lead Practitioner has recently joined the LD Network family. It was whilst she was on her travels, looking after a young boy with autism, that she knew this was exactly what she wanted to be doing as a career. This is Kelly’s story (so far) in her own words.
“From a very early age, I knew I wanted to help people and make a difference. I was never sure what that looked like in terms of a career, until I studied Psychology at college. It opened up endless possibilities of things I could do where I would be able to help others. This led me to study BSc Psychology at the University of Kingston.
After I graduated, I spent 18 months travelling around Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. If I was to give someone a piece of advice, it would be to travel as much as you can. I was so fortunate to be able to experience many different countries, cultures and meet so many people – on what was one of the best experiences of my life.
“If I was to give someone a piece of advice, it would be to travel as much as you can…on what was one of the best experiences of my life.”
On my travels I worked as an au pair for a young boy with autism. Whilst I knew a bit about autism, it was only theoretical. Supporting him ignited my passion for working with people with autism and marked the beginning of my career in health and social care.
When I returned from my travels I worked as an Assistant Psychologist supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs who also engaged in behaviours that challenge. Then, as an Assistant Psychologist at a specialist school for autism, working as part of a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). It was here I realised the benefits of using Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) as a framework for supporting individuals with behaviours that challenge.
In 2018 I began my MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis at the Tizard Centre, University of Kent. Studying this whilst having a baby, then a pandemic was definitely a challenge, but I did it! With the knowledge and skills I had gained here I was keen to put these into practice and continue supporting people to reduce behaviour through building their skills and improving their quality of life using PBS. This is when I came across LD Network.
“With the knowledge and skills I had gained from the MSc I was keen to put these into practice and continue supporting people to reduce behaviour through building their skills and improving their quality of life using PBS.”
Hearing how the company started and its values I knew instantly this is where I needed to be to continue helping change people’s lives.
Each day comes with a new challenge but to see the difference we’re making to people’s lives is just phenomenal and continues to spur me on.
“Each day comes with a new challenge but to see the difference we’re making to people’s lives is just phenomenal.”
So, what’s my role as PBS Lead Practitioner entail? In a nutshell I oversee the formulation, implementation and reviews of PBS plans, conduct functional behaviour assessments, develop interventions based on evidence-based practice, liaise with external agencies around the care of individuals and their needs and a whole lot more!
Alongside this I am also working towards becoming a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst.”
Interested in finding out more about what Kelly does day-to-day or you’d like to know more about PBS? Email Kelly on kelly.nash@ldnetwork.org to find out more.