Setting Up Your Environment to Facilitate Learning

Create an organized, distraction-free space with clear expectations, accessible materials, and motivating supports to encourage focus and independence.

First-Then Contingencies

Use "First-Then" strategies to increase cooperation by clearly structuring tasks (e.g., “First task, then play”) to motivate participation and teach delayed gratification.

Teaching Basic Learning Skills

Introduce foundational learning skills like attending, following directions, and sitting at a table, which are essential for mastering additional skills.

Teaching Simple Skills

Break down everyday tasks into small, teachable steps using modeling, prompting, and reinforcement to ensure success.

And More!

Jesenia (Jese) Duran is the director of Sunshine Learning Centre and the supervising Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA) with the College of Psychologist and Behaviour Analyst of Ontario (CPBAO) and Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Jese has worked at Sunshine Learning Centre since 2018, where she began as an instructor therapist, then a lead therapist, and eventually a senior therapist. Jese has a diploma in Developmental Services Worker, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Master’s in Applied Disability Studies with a specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis. As of November 2021, Jese is a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst and as of July 2024 Jese became a Registered Behaviour Analyst in Ontario. Jese has completed her 8-hour supervision training and holds certificates in relevant behaviour-analytic topics such as Skills-Based Treatment, Sleep Training, Toilet Training, Puberty and Sex Education, PEERS ® Social Skills, and Ethics in Applied Behaviour Analysis. She has experience helping children with autism improve their verbal skills, social skills, play skills, academic skills, cooperation skills, school readiness skills, life skills, and self-help skills. Jese is experienced in conducting skills-based assessments (e.g., ABLLS-R), behaviour-analytic assessments (e.g., functional analyses), analyzing behaviour data, observing and training staff and caregivers, and implementing behaviour treatment programs. Jese is very passionate about providing neurodiversity affirming, effective, ethical, and meaningful behaviour-analytic services. Jese approaches her work with compassion, patience, understanding, and empathy. The number one goal is to help individuals live the highest quality of life without changing who they are as a person.