Getting to Know our Staff
Meet Lauren Nenadov from University of Waterloo
We have been so fortunate to have amazing Co-Op students from University of Waterloo. They combine exceptional organization, personal management, and communication skills with a passion for helping children to thrive. Read about the skills that they leave with in a reflection from Lauren below.
Learning Experiences in ABA During Two Co-Op Terms
When I started at bitKIDS in September of 2024, I had what I thought was a strong understanding of ABA principles and how using ABA helps to shape behaviors. Having been surrounded with individuals living on the Autism Spectrum my whole life, I saw firsthand how effective using ABA principals can be.
During my first Co-Op term, I learned a lot of ABA vocabulary, techniques, protocols, specific types of programs and curricula, how to take data, and how to reflect. I also realized how many subconscious interactions, especially with teaching children, are rooted in ABA principles.
During my first Co-Op term, I worked a lot with our early learners. I got to appreciate the joy and exhilaration of progress and success, even if it was just baby steps! By the time the Co-Op term ended, I still felt like I had so much more to learn and practice. It was almost like finishing a book on a cliffhanger.
So, I proposed the idea of a second Co-Op term at bitKIDS — and to my excitement they agreed.
I looked forward to returning during the summer, and every day, I was presented with a different learning opportunity. I decided to get outside my comfort zone and embrace new situations. With every new experience, I gained a little more confidence in my abilities. But mostly, I learned that it’s okay to ask for help, how to stay open-minded, be curious, and ask many questions. Just like our clients and other staff, the most important skills that I learned in my second term working at bitKIDS are flexibility and adaptability. The longer I’m a student, the more I appreciate these skills. Lectures and textbooks are great and can teach you many things—but nothing can teach you quite as much as actually DOING.
Sometimes cannonballing into the unknown is the exact situation that you need to learn lessons that you never thought you would’ve.
Above all, my favourite experiences at bitKIDS are seeing beautiful young minds grow! I will continue to have a profound appreciation for the way that all young minds work. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work alongside such an amazing team of ABA-enthusiasts, and grateful to bitKIDs for giving me support to help shape my learning experience in a way that I never expected. The memories I have made with the people at bitKIDS will last a long time, and I will continue to carry these lessons I’ve learned with me wherever I go!
