Today we’d like to introduce you to LaTeisha Jackson.
Hi LaTeisha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have a twin sister named Tasha with a learning disability. Growing up, we didn’t talk much about it and more so treated it like a secret. I would overcompensate by speaking for her and doing most day to day tasks for her to cover up any obvious “differences” that may show. After we graduated from high school, she lost a lot of supports and services and my parents didn’t know what services to search for to help her into adult life. With the goal to learn more about my sister’s disability and to help individuals like her, I moved to Tallahassee, Florida by myself, a day after our 18th birthday where I went on to pursue a degree in Special Education at Florida State University. It was my last semester of grad school when my professor introduced the science of Applied Behavior Analysis. I was so interested in the field that I returned to school a year later to study applied behavior analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology. I was so happy to finally find the vessel that would allow me to provide the services that I wanted, that would not only help my sister but other individuals with special needs.
I opened up my first clinic in April 2021 where I had one additional BCBA and three behavior techs. It was a two therapy room suite that we quickly outgrew. In September 2021, I opened my second location, which was an old medical center. We now have 12 therapy rooms and offices, along with a three BCBAs, and five behavior technicians.
FaTaj is an ABA agency that I built “for Tash,” and those like her with deficits that interfere with their ability to live independent and fulfilling lives. At FaTaj Transition & Learning Center, our highly qualified team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Register Behavior Technicians use a fun and innovative approach to apply behavior analytical practices. We service individuals ages 2-21 with Autism and other developmental and behavioral disabilities.
Having a loved one with special needs can be challenging resulting in emotional strains and life stressors. FaTaj TLC recently partnered with No Limit Health and Education to provide mental health counseling services to offer a multidisciplinary approach to better services our families and community.
I am so happy to be on this journey to fulfill God’s purpose in helping individuals live up to their greatest potential.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been pretty steady. The thought of the unknown and not knowing how things will play out has been the most challenging part; however, I am grateful for all of the connections that I have made that has helped me along the way. I welcome the hardships and challenges, as I know that it’s part of the plan.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a board-certified behavior analyst. I have an ABA clinic in Orlando, FL that services individuals ages 2-21 with Autism spectrum disorder and other developmental and behavioral issues. We offer 1:1 therapy in which we only apply research-based strategies when teaching replacement behaviors to decrease tantrums, self-injurious behaviors, aggression, property destruction, as well as teach skill acquisitions to improve communication, focus, compliance, toileting, and social skills. FaTaj Transition & Learning Center is different from most ABA clinics because not only do we offer a multidisciplinary approach where ABA and mental health counseling is offered, but we also offer private pay services for parent training and consulting, social skills groups, toilet training, and feeding therapy. Our highly trained and dedicated team all share the same enthusiasm and love for the field and those we service, which has a direct effect on client outcomes.
I am most proud of the positive gains that our clients have demonstrated thus far. Witnessing a four years old say “ma ma” for the first time, or a three years old hug their father while making eye contact, or a 6 yr old using the potty independently are just a few examples of what makes my job rewarding.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
FaTaj TLC is a growing agency and by the end of 2021, we will be offering Speech services and is currently seeking qualified occupational therapists that are willing to services our kiddos in the clinic. Our goal is to become a “one stop shop” where our clients and families can go to seek training and support. In the next five years, we plan to have several other clinics in the central Florida area and extend our services to help adults with disabilities and offer independent living, social skills and vocational skills training.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@fatajtlc.com
- Website: www.Fatajtlc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaTajabacenter
