Jennat Benkhayat is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) with Patterson Behavior Services. In this role, she works directly with children to teach new skills and reduce challenging behaviors.
Jennat is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychological and brain sciences at George Washington University. She has previous experience as a crisis line counselor, research assistant in a psychology lab, and is a youth swim coach!
How did you find ABA? Was there anything in particular that drew you to the field?
I first learned about ABA through my developmental psychology class. My professor had talked about it, and I was curious to learn more. At the time I also worked with children and found it rewarding to provide them with the support that they needed. As I learned about ABA and saw the difference it makes in children’s lives, I wanted to be a part of that and make a significant impact as well.
Your job is to teach children new skills, but often the children teach us things as well. What is something you have learned from a child?
Working with children, I have learned the importance of being in the present moment. Children interact with the world by asking questions, exploring, and observing what is around them. I always notice how excited and eager children get when presented with something new. This showed me how important it is to continuously seek new experiences and to stay curious. Their curiosity reminds me to ask questions and immerse myself in what the world has to offer.
What do you think is your main strength on the job?
My main strength is communication. It is important to create a safe space where the child feels heard and understood. Strong communication allows me to understand the child’s needs and meet them where they are. This strength helps me support their learning and adapt my approach to each child’s needs and preferences.
If we did a preference assessment for you, which reinforcers would we find?
I love dark chocoalte, iced coffees, and going for runs outside!
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part about this job is seeing the growth and improvement each child makes. It is so rewarding to see their progress and see them build confidence in each skill. I also love the positivity each child brings.
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