Kaitlynn Gokey

Professional Biography

I began my career in behavior analysis as a graduate student, providing services to children diagnosed with autism in clinical and school-based settings. After earning my BCBA certification in December 2012, I began practicing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in early 2013. In clinical practice, my scope of competence grew under mentorship. I served individuals from 2yo to in their 90s, from populations including autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and dementia. My experience spans home, school, clinic, and community settings, and I advanced to the role of Executive Behavior Analyst.

In 2016, I transitioned to academia, where I have since taught undergraduate and graduate courses in face-to-face, online, and hybrid formats. In addition to classroom instruction, I provide clinical and research supervision to graduate students completing fieldwork experiences, primarily in autism clinics and school settings. My supervisory experience also includes work with more novel and niche populations, such as esports athletes, allowing students to apply behavior analytic principles in emerging practice areas. Across both clinical practice and higher education, my work has focused on developing competent practitioners through evidence-based instruction, high-quality supervision, and applied clinical experience, with an emphasis on case conceptualization.

My leadership experience spans clinical practice, higher education, and professional service. After beginning my career as a clinician, I advanced to the role of Executive Behavior Analyst, where I supervised clinicians and RBTs while leading staff training initiatives, developing organizational policies, and supporting systems-level clinical practices. As faculty, I direct a behavior analysis research laboratory that has grown from two graduate students to more than a dozen members across three research lines. I also chair master's theses and doctoral dissertations and previously served as Chair of the Florida Tech DEI Committee and currently serve on the Collective Vision committee. My professional service includes serving on the ABAI DEI Board, conducting ABAI accreditation site visits, reviewing conference submissions, serving as a guest reviewer for JOBM, and volunteering at community outreach events. Most recently, I was elected Vice President of the Association for Behavior Analysis of Brevard, a chapter of FABA.

Behavior analysis has shaped both my personal and professional life, and I feel a responsibility to give back to the field. I am seeking the Member-at-Large position to further that mission.

I would bring several perspectives to the Board. As an autistic behavior analyst who has both received and provided ABA services, I hope to help bridge the gap between the ABA and autism communities. My background in experimental and translational behavior analysis helps me connect basic research with applied practice, and my experience building a research lab and establishing collaborations outside behavior analysis has taught me how to expand the reach of our science. Using OBM and systems analysis to improve culture in research and clinical settings has reduced burnout and absenteeism while promoting productivity and self-care among my students and employees. My interest in behavioral economics has also taught me how to use "nudges" to increase conference engagement.

Whether creating policies, training, or research infrastructure, I look for ways to make processes clearer and easier to navigate. I would welcome the opportunity to bring those skills to the FABA Board while supporting initiatives that strengthen our profession and the people it serves. In particular, I would love to explore ways to build greater trust between the ABA and autism communities.