Afnan: Portsmouth tutor

Certified Tutor

I am an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapist and a neuroscience student at the University of Illinois Chicago. As an ABA therapist, I work with clients diagnosed with ASD, ADD, OCD, and anxiety. I implement treatment plans to ensure my clients gain independence; my responsibilities are broken down into two parts:

1. I teach my clients new skills. This includes academic skills, adaptive skills, social skills, executive function, and more. My goal in teaching them said skills is to ensure they become independent one day. In other words, I not only teach academic skills but also behavioral skills that allow learners to grow as individuals.

2. I manage inappropriate behaviors by replacing them with appropriate behaviors. If a client cries every time he must read, then it is my job to manage the crying behavior and teach him that reading can be fun, rewarding, and pleasurable.

I write this because I understand that working with populations who have developmental, cognitive, or behavioral disorders comes with its challenges. I also understand that school can be very difficult for said populations. Given that I am extremely compassionate, empathetic and enthusiastic about helping others, it is my calling to help you or your child learn better. I am here because I want to see my students transcend their limitations, learn to be better, and grow, and I believe applying ABA principals can help support students.

My teaching philosophy is quite simple: no two people learn the same, thus no one technique can be used on all people. What I love about ABA is that it views us as individuals, so, as a tutor, I view my students as unique persons who each need help and will receive it on an individualized level. What is especially useful for students is the use of cues known as prompts in ABA to teach new skills. There are a variety of prompts I use with my learners, depending on their needs, individual preferences, and what is most appropriate in the moment. Prompts are particularly helpful for students who may have learning differences or deficits. This allows me to adapt my teaching style depending who I am working with.

My favorite subject to tutor is writing, and that's simply because I enjoy writing myself. I love writing stories because it allows me to discover endless opportunities and adventures (it's sort of like watching TV, except it's in words). With that said, I also look forward to tutoring in other subjects, too, such as reading, special education, learning differences, and more! Speaking of TV, in my spare time, there is nothing I love more than watching silly shows, spending time with family, and relaxing near lakes!