Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Morris.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
7 years ago on September 10th, I began my first job in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a behavior technician. Within a day or so, I realized it was my perfect fit. I always knew that my purpose was working with children because their innocence, their raw tenacity, their inability to be anything but themselves, drew me to them. I didn’t know that being a behavior analyst for children on the spectrum would be my career though. When a best friend of mine told me about the job, my first response was “They will eat me alive!” But they didn’t. The children I worked with sparked such a fire within me that there’s nowhere else I could have gone after being with them. Yes, there are hard days. Days where I am crying and overwhelmed and frustrated because I can’t seem to figure out how to help my kids. But the moments where they hug me, or pull me somewhere, or say hi, or call me “Mama Bee”…those glimmers push me to keep going. To know that their parents trust me, not because I have all of the answers, because I don’t. But because they know I am right there in the trenches with them every single step of the way and I will work tirelessly to find a way to help their children become even greater than they were before I was blessed with their presence. God has given me such a love for what I do, such a passion for my purpose and it’s been the best decision of my life to begin my journey from behavior technician to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). They make a difference in my life almost as much as I make one in theirs.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve had to work with kids who I never was able to figure out, and I felt like a failure. It didn’t matter how much time I spent researching and asking for help. I just could not figure out how to help with the behavior reduction and I had to deal with knowing there would be more cases like that in my future and it wasn’t a testament to my work ethic or knowledge; it was just beyond my scope and that was okay. I also had to overcome losing my biggest supporter, my grandmother and “twin”. It’s very hard to know that she isn’t going to be around to watch me grow in this role, or hug me when I’m struggling. Actually, I don’t think I’ve overcome not having her here with me, because I miss her every single day. But I never have to wonder if she was proud of me, because she told me every chance she was given. There’s nothing sweeter than having someone as beautiful and wonderful as she was on your team and I appreciate her for that always.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a BCBA at Amenity ABA Center and have been with the company for 3 years this October. I love it. The people I work with, the children on my caseload…they make every day worth it. I work with children from the ages of 2-11 who are on the spectrum and I adore how they’re all so different from one another. It’s amazing being able to witness the growth from children. To see one who came in with zero communication skills having full conversations, and more. I am most proud of being able to witness the first graduation from one of my older kids. I think I cried during my entire speech! What sets me apart are my personal reasons for being in this field and how I work like a coach during overtime of a season’s championship game. I have family who have autism and I see how Early Intervention could have been extremely useful had there been more positive aspects surrounding it. So I do all I can to ensure that those who come to me get the best of me because they deserve it and it will hopefully help offer more success for their futures.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The little things. The big things. The things that a lot of people don’t notice because they’re moving too fast or focused on everything and nothing at the same time. I’m happy when I hear people laughing loudly. Simple interactions with kids in stores make me happy. The freeway being empty makes me happy. Watching horror movies or thrillers on a Saturday morning in an empty theater makes me happy. Watching or listening to BTS, my absolute favorite K-POP group, makes me happy. Going to church with my family makes me happy. Spending a night in with my favorite people makes me happy. Why? Why do all of these somewhat unrelated things or activities or events make me happy? Because they do.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
My grandmother, O.T. Morris
