In this special episode, we sit down with Alec’s very first therapist, Jill Scarbro—affectionately known as “Big Deal Jill!” Jill has provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals with autism since 1997. She earned a bachelor’s degree in special education with concentrations in mental impairments and physical handicaps from Marshall University and a Master of Science in behavior analysis from the University of North Texas.  After operating a consulting practice in Texas, Jill and her daughter Caroline returned home to West Virginia in 2006, making Jill the first Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in southern West Virginia. She opened Bright Futures Learning Services, one of the state's first ABA centers, in 2017. BrightFuturesAba.com

As a founding member, and current Vice President of Mountaineer Autism Project, Jill worked to pass autism insurance legislation and continues to work towards systems changes to increase access to quality ABA in WV. Jill is a founding member and past president of the West Virginia Behavior Analysis Association,  founder of Community Autism Resources and Education Systems (CARES),  and a member of the inaugural class of the WV Healthcare Hall of Fame.  Jill was named WV Woman Owned Business of the year in 2019, and the national Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2022.  WVCaresForAutism.org 

Together, we reminisce about Alec’s early therapy days, reflect on the impact ABA had in shaping his skills and independence, and talk with Jill about the progress—and challenges—she’s seen in the autism community over her impressive 28 years of work with individuals on the spectrum.

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