our team
Crystal Wong
CalmMe ABA Founder
Board Certified Behavior Analyst, BCBA
MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology, UK
BSc in Psychology, UK
I have been working in the ABA field since 2008, and through my extensive years of experience in Program Supervisor, I have come to deeply understand that Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is much more than just a set of robotic techniques.
It's not simply and robotically about saying, "Good job! Here's a sticker, candy, or a few minutes on the iPad!".
ABA is not just about gradually increasing quantities, like moving from 2 items to 4, or from 1 meter to 2 meters. Addressing behavioural issues goes beyond just "extinction," where we think, "If the child wants to escape, I can't let them leave!"
ABA is not a one-size-fits-all approach; the same method cannot be applied uniformly to different individuals or educational contexts.
ABA focuses on "analysis," which means understanding each child's unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses, particularly how their surrounding environment affects them.
For instance, if a child struggles to match items, simply repeating the task won't facilitate learning. We need to analyse the reasons for their difficulties:
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Behavioural reasons: Is the child too impatient? Have they become bored after repeated practice?
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Skill-related reasons: Are they struggling with motor skills, like crossing their arms or scanning items? Do they grasp the concept of similarity?
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Therapist's teaching issues: Are the images too small or too similar? Are they unclear? Is the setup obstructing their view? Are they relying too heavily on the therapist's rigid unchanged patterns? The child become prompt-dependent as the therapist not fading her prompt?
By identifying these issues, we can personalize our approach, gradually enhancing the child's learning abilities.
I often remind our therapists that “if a child is avoiding learning, it's never the child's fault; it's because we haven't done enough.” We must thoughtfully consider each child's challenges and explore various prompting strategies.
It's essential to reflect on our impact as educators. Everything should be child-cantered; if one method doesn't work, we should try another. Through close communication with parents and the school, we can design relevant programs that meet the needs of both the child and their family, helping them lead fulfilling lives.
Seeing an autistic child smile and make eye contact is my motivation that drives my continued efforts. Let's keep going! 💪😄
Christina Kwong
CalmMe Senior ABA Therapist
Registered Behaviour Technician, RBT
Graduated in University of California, Irvine
With significant years of experience in ABA therapy, since 2015, Christina has provided one-on-one behavioural therapy in centres and students' homes, as well as leading social groups and playdates. She also has extensive experience as a shadow teacher, assisting students with special needs in various mainstream and international schools, helping them learn independence and integrate into school life.
Christina believes that every child deserves dedicated nurturing. She excels at addressing the root causes of challenges and developing creative strategies to help children understand and learn. Utilizing music, engaging visuals, games, and other multisensory tools, she provides innovative support that resonates with each child. By focusing on their preferences and strengths, Christina effectively implements the curriculum while fostering confidence and comfort in the learning process.
At CalmMe, Christina aims to help more children develop holistically, break through their limits, and create positive changes for their families.
"Building a strong relationship with children and believing in them empowers them to believe in themselves."
therapy team structure
Each child receiving ABA therapy will be guided by a BCBA (Board Certified Behaviour Analyst) who will oversee one or more ABA therapists to deliver comprehensive services tailored to the needs of the entire family.
BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst®)
Qualifications:
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Holds a Master’s degree in Psychology, Education, or Behaviour Analysis
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Completed 270 hours of theoretical coursework
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Accumulated 1,500 hours of supervised experience
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BCBA certification is obtained only after passing the BCBA examination
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Case Consultation and Supervision:
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Maintain close communication with parents
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Arrange personalized and suitable training content for each child
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Behavioural and Skill Assessment:
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Conduct "Functional Behavioural Assessment"
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Perform "Verbal Behaviour Assessment"
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Individualized Curriculum Development:
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Based on assessment result and developmental progress:
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Create "Individual Education Plans" (IEP)
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Develop "Behaviour Management Plans"
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Parent Training:
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Offer one-on-one parent training sessions
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Progress Evaluation:
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Provide regular "Progress Reports"
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Hold "Progress Review Meetings" with parents
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Supervision of ABA Therapists:
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Offer ongoing support and professional training for ABA therapists
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Provide guidance and on-site supervision to ensure effective implementation of treatment plans
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BCaBA（Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst®)
Responsibilities:
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Assist the BCBA in program assessments
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Collect behavioural and progress data
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Implement intensive ABA one-on-one sessions
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Extensive Clinical Experience:
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Teach children of various ages and abilities
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Lead social groups and playdates
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School shadowing:
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Daily on-site one-on-one shadow support
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Collaborate closely with school
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Individualized ABA Therapy:
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Conduct one-on-one ABA session under the ongoing supervision of a BCBA
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RBT (Registered Behavior Technician®)
Responsibilities:
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Implement intensive ABA one-on-one sessions
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Build Close Interactions:
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Establish a strong rapport with the child while providing one-on-one ABA therapy
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Customized Training Sessions:
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Arrange each session based on the "Individual Education Plan" and "Behaviour Management Plan" developed by the BCBA
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Parent Communication:
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Provide daily session updates to parents, detailing the child's progress after each session
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