Faculty

My name is Cara Zaskow, and I am currently the coordinator of the ABA-A degree program. My experience with autism goes back to 1979 when I was fortunate to work at the Pacific Association for Autistic Citizens (now known as the Autistic Society of BC) for two years. While there I developed the first information pamphlet about autism that was used province-wide for many years, helped to coordinate the summer recreational program and worded on parent advocacy issues. I left the Association to pursue my goal of graduate studies in clinical psychology. At that time, I thought I had left my involvement in autism behind, but it is interesting how events in life sometimes bring you back to the beginnings.

As Ellen Domm wrote in "Levi's Legacy", it was during a Psychology department meeting in 2006, hearing her struggle to find skilled and committed people to work with Levi, that I became convinced of the need to pursue the development of a full degree program in ABA with a focus on autism.  

It was 2 and 1/2 years of hard work, but September 2009 saw the launch of the ABA-A Degree Program with our first cohort group of students. Since then, interest in and support for the program from students, professional in the community and families has been great. We have very skilled, clinically involved faculty who are certified Behaviour Analysts, a challenging curriculum that exceeds BACB standards, support from community-based agencies for practicum placements and motivated students. A lot of us combined are committed to improving the lives of children, youth and families with autism spectrum disorders. On a professional level, I am very proud of the ABA-A program and look forward to exploring new initiatives. On a personal level, I am pleased to come back to my early beginnings in autism ~ it was time.

Hi! I am an instructor in the Applied Behaviour Analysis and Autism department at Capilano University. There is great excitement from our students and from members of the larger community that such a tremendous educational opportunity exists in our province. The positive energy is palpable!

Our program is unique in Canada and offers students the opportunity to learn a great deal about Applied Behaviour Analysis and autism, not just in the classroom but "in the field" making a real difference for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families.  

I am very excited to be teaching courses in Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Functional Assessment and Positive Behavior Support. I enjoy bringing examples from my real-world work with children and their families into the classroom and the fact that students are also working as Behavior Interventionists (BIs) means that everything they are learning is immediately functional in applied settings.  

Having a great deal of experience myself as a BI, with many different children with autism in many different settings, I can put myself “in the student’s shoes” and appreciate what they are learning and how they are applying it. Students tell me that I feed their enthusiasm for what they are learning and they, in turn, fuel my passion and enthusiasm for teaching! Ours is a powerful, accountable, effective, and dynamic field where we are always looking to our data, learning, and evolving and I love continuing to learn and teach about ABA and autism! We have much to offer the community, both locally and nationally, and our students are sure to be at the for-front and the leaders of tomorrow! 

Our students frequently comment that they enjoy the program, because unlike other degrees available at the undergraduate level, they are already immersed in work experiences in a job they love, with on-going support and mentorship available from both instructors at Capilano as well as clinical supervisors.  

Personally, I really enjoy teaching both Single Subject Research Design and Ethics courses to first year students in the program, and Childhood Psychopathology to second year students.  In all of my courses there is a lot of information to learn but there are also many opportunities for discussion in class to discuss the application of class material to your practicum placements.  I encourage students to ask lots of questions and choose topics for their term projects that are of personal interest because of a current clinical challenge. 

I have a variety of experiences with many families and others in the community that inform my lectures.  I have provided applied behaviour analytic services to a variety of clients, including children and adults, many with autism and some with other types of challenges (e.g., acquired brain injury, other mental health diagnoses).  I am a PhD student at UBC and involved with research at the university on an on-going basis.  Like our students, I am constantly enjoying learning more about autism and applied behaviour analysis, and applying my skills in clinical settings!