Meet the Team: Ting, BCBA

Meet the Team is our blog series highlighting the incredible people that work to serve families at AnswersNow. Today, we’re sitting down with Ting Bentley, a BCBA based out of Virginia.

1. How did you initially hear about AnswersNow?

I serve on the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis (VABA) conference committee. I initially heard about AnswersNow through the 2021 annual conference. 

2. What happened in your career previously that led you to AnswersNow? 

A little mix of the pandemic with becoming a mom. 

3. Why did you become a BCBA?

I have always been involved in helping those with special needs because of my twin brother's condition. When I discovered how applied behavior analysis (ABA) teaches individuals important skills and improves the way they live together with their family, naturally I want to be involved.

4. Why did you decide to work with AnswersNow?

To be part of a revolutionary way to bring ABA services to the home? Work from home? Flexible hours? I know good things when I see them. The biggest benefit this role has offered me is the ability to continue my career as a BCBA while still being a mom and witnessing all my child’s milestones. 

5. Have you ever worked in an in-person setting? How would you say the AnswersNow model differs? 

Yes, I have worked in an in-person setting. They differ in that the virtual model offers greater flexibility and availability of ABA service. You are not limited by time or location. This is great for clients who live far away from a traditional center site, like in rural areas, or who have busy schedules. It also saves both caregivers and BCBAs drive time compared to in-person or in-home models. 

6. What would you say to Caregivers or BCBAs who are tentative about the efficacy of remote or virtual autism therapy? 

You will be surprised at how much both clients and caregivers may benefit from virtual therapy. One advantage that I find AnswersNow offers that the traditional center based model doesn’t is that caregivers can be more involved. This empowers the caregiver with tools to continue what was taught in therapy to real life situations outside of therapy.

After all, what good are skills if you are only able to do it under strict circumstances? The honest truth is yes, there will be clients with whom virtual therapy will not be enough, but you will not know until you try. This is why it is important to get a consultation and let AnswersNow’s many experts assess which of our models fit best for the family. 

7. What would you tell someone who’s considering working as a BCBA for AnswersNow? 

I actually have had BCBAs come to me curious about my experience at AnswersNow and one currently works here now. I hope she can vouch for me when I say if you want to take control of your career and find a good work/life balance this is the place for you. AnswersNow has great support teams, from clinical to administrator to tech to everyone in between. I find my opinions are valued here and they work hard to ensure great work flow. 

8. How would you describe the AnswersNow portal experience? 

I love that it is a secure way to deliver virtual therapy while offering all the features of other virtual platforms like screen sharing and chat. AnswersNow has a great tech team that responds quickly at all hours of the day. They listen to user feedback and continue to improve the portal. 

9. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

I have a family that had no experience with ABA. After four months of therapy I see not only improvement in the client, but parents are starting to apply strategies to other areas. There is something so satisfying when it clicks with the whole family. 

10. What's a fun fact about you? 

I am one half of a set of twins! Fraternal boy/girl twins though. So we had all the twin experiences growing up minus the ability to trade places without anyone noticing.