Hello TBS Villagers,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and filled with warmth as we navigate the beautiful complexities of growth and development. February brought me to Greenville, SC, where I had the privilege of attending the Nurturing Developing Minds conference. This gathering, co-hosted by the Institute for Child Success, Furman University’s Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, and the SC LEND program, and generously sponsored by Prisma Health, was a truly enriching experience. (Please remember, while I’m a trainee in the SC LEND program, these are my personal reflections and do not represent the program’s official views).

One of the most impactful moments of the conference was listening to the keynote speaker, Dr. Joseph Wright, MD, MPH, FAAP. Dr. Wright, who serves as the Chief Health Equity Officer for the American Academy of Pediatrics, shared insights that have stayed with me long after the conference ended. His work focuses on a critical area: examining clinical decision-making models that use racial status as a proxy for biological data.

Have you ever paused to consider how deeply ingrained biases can be in the systems that are meant to support us?

Dr. Wright’s findings were eye-opening. Approximately 25% of the clinical items he analyzed required modification or further clinical rationale to ensure the competent use of racial data. This statistic isn’t just a number; it represents real people, real children, and real potential being impacted by assumptions that may not hold true.

This presentation sparked a lot of reflection for me. It prompted me to ask:

• How can we, as practitioners and caregivers, ensure that our approaches are truly equitable and individualized?
• What steps can we take to challenge our own assumptions and biases?
• How do we foster a deeper understanding of the unique needs of each child as an individual?

These questions are not easily answered, but they are essential to creating a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive. It reinforces my belief that continuous learning and critical self-reflection are vital in our work as ABA practitioners.

At Transformations, we are committed to providing services that are rooted in evidence-based practices and a deep respect for individual differences. We understand that every child is unique, and we strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where they can reach their full potential. This is not just something we talk about, it is reflected in our actions as well.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. What are your experiences or reflections on equity in care? How do you strive to create inclusive environments in your daily life?

Thank you for being a part of our community, and for your dedication to nurturing the developing minds around us.

Warmly,

Aubrielle Kituuma, MS, BCBA, LBA

CEO & Clinical Director

Transformations Behavioral Solutions