Why Laya Milstein Chose Applied Behavior Analysis

What inspired you to pursue Applied Behavior Analysis?

I’ve always felt connected to members of the ASD (autism spectrum disorder) community. I love their spontaneity, lack of filter, and perspective on life and I find the nuances in their personalities so fascinating. I also intuitively raised my children in a way that aligns with ABA protocols although I wasn’t educated in the practices yet. I worked as a bookkeeper for many years, and when COVID was coming to an end, I realized that I didn’t want to go back to that job. I graduated high school more than 30 years ago and had never attended college, but something was telling me to go to school and learn about a field that I had felt so naturally drawn to all my life.

How prepared did you feel when you first started? What surprised you most about your classes?

What really surprised me was the overwhelming amount of support I received from everyone at Sara Schenirer. While I knew the program would be rigorous, I thought the process would be more difficult for me than the others since I had no college experience at all. The professors, however, made the work understandable, and the staff were helpful from day one. In fact, I had done my bachelor’s online prior to registering for the master’s program, but didn’t realize that the online degree may not be accepted for the program. I reached out to Sara Schenirer and they immediately got back to me to say that they would work with me to ensure that I could enroll. They walked me through the process of what I needed to do and how to achieve it. Any time I left a message, my call would be returned within an hour. I had not taken a test in decades, but my teachers were very understanding and encouraging and answered all my questions. They were willing to give me private time when needed, and they helped me feel prepared for all the assessments and data analysis that I needed to learn.

What has been your favorite part of your experience so far? Most challenging?

I loved having a close community of peers which helped me get through the challenging parts of being in school. It was not easy putting in all the hours and learning new skills such as how to make a PowerPoint, manage homework, and take tests, and the supportive network of peers at Sara Schenirer was my life preserver. We were an inclusive group who respected each other and got through everything together. I would sometimes joke that I was the “older one” in the room, but my classmates never made me feel uncomfortable or the odd one out. We all appreciated each other’s life experiences and what we uniquely brought to the table.

How would you describe the support you receive from Sara Schenirer staff and professors?

The sense of community and collaboration can be felt across all areas at Sara Schenirer. In addition to the helpful teachers and office staff, my classmates were a tremendous source of support. We created class chats where we would ask questions and give each other encouragement so that we never felt alone. We knew we were all in it together. Many of these girls were much younger than me, but we formed tight bonds and still keep in touch today. These chats were very much promoted by Sara Schenirer as they wanted us to develop peer groups and reach out to one another for support.

What are your goals after earning your degree?

My goal was always to become a BCBA, but I originally thought I wanted to go into private practice. After working last year at Ivdu, a school for special education, I realized that I want to work as a BCBA in a school. Right now, I am studying for my licensing exam and have some job offers on the table for when I pass.

How did you find your current position, can you describe what you do, and how do you feel your education prepared you for your current career?

I work through the Encore agency, which is how I found my position at Ivdu. I’m currently not working since I am focusing fully on studying for my BCBA exam; however, I was able to put my education to use almost immediately upon doing fieldwork even while still in school. During my first year at Sara Schenirer, I worked with a BCBA on a homecare case. We were trying to help a child learn to drink a fruit smoothie for breakfast as part of his treatment plan but it wasn’t going easily and there were many other issues that we needed to work on that were more socially significant. One day in class, we began learning about an ABA principle where you teach children slowly and in steps. For example, in the case of the smoothie, you would start off by having the child touch a spoon, then hold the strawberry, and keep progressing until he would be able to drink the smoothie without resistance. I called my BCBA and told her I thought this technique would be great for our client and she thought it was a worthy plan to implement. That’s just one example of how much school influenced my work by facilitating an effective behavioral plan for a client in real-time.   

In addition to your position, what are some other ways to use your degree?

There are many different environments that BCBAs can work in including home care, schools, centers, offices, and controlled housing. While I was in the master’s program, I worked with children in elementary and middle school and then eventually had some high school clients. Because of these experiences, I know that my niche is working with people between the ages of 12 and 21. That’s the population I’m most comfortable with and have seen success.

Is this a field you would recommend to other frum women and men? Why or why not?

I absolutely recommend the field and the Sara Schenirer program, especially if you enjoy working with the special needs’ population, which can be very rewarding. I actually suggested the program to two teachers I worked with at Ivdu and they are both currently enrolled at Sara Schenirer. They already have backgrounds in special education and can take their careers to the next level by becoming BCBAs. It’s a very doable program, and if you work hard in the field, you can earn a significant salary. On top of that, I never feel like I’m actually working since I love what I do so much. It also can be a flexible profession since you can choose your schedule and caseload to a certain degree.

What is the job market like? Are jobs easy to obtain, flexible, and growth-oriented?

Both ABAs and BCBAs are always in demand. Opportunities to grow in the field depend on how much client success you have, and on building a name for yourself as a competent and dedicated BCBA.

Can you give an idea of starting salaries in the industry and how one moves up?

Starting salaries are higher in this industry than in general education. Once you gain experience and a reputation, there are opportunities to increase rates. The pay also depends on which state you live in, since wages vary.