Jennifer Buffington, BCBA, LBA
Consultant

Jennifer Buffington is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Connecticut. She is a duel certified Regular Education K-3 and Early Childhood Special Education Teacher in CT. She started her career twenty-nine years ago supporting young children with autism in home settings. Trained as a behavior therapist in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). As she gained more knowledge, she transitioned into the public school with some of her students. During this time, she enrolled in graduate school, studying early childhood special education. While working in the public school, she was offered a position to oversee their ABA school-based program for children ages 3 to 5 yrs. old. She accepted the job. Jennifer worked closely with experienced BCBA consultants to provide behavior supports to the students in the program. Her responsibilities involved training and supporting para educators in ABA methodologies, writing and developing individualized programs, data collection and analysis, conducting behavior assessments and plans, developing IEPs and participating in the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings. She teamed closely with families, teachers, administrators, and specialists daily. Throughout this time, she advocated for parents’ active participation in their child’s program. Offering regular observation times, opportunities to participate in their programming, weekly trainings and special events. She also supported students in their home settings, conducting home visits, providing trainings and resources to parents. During this time, she completed her masters program and was working towards her teacher certification. She had to leave this position to complete two semesters of student teaching. 

 

Upon completion of her student teaching, Jennifer became a certified teacher. She took a position in a public school district as an integrated preschool special education teacher. She co-taught with a regular education teacher within an integrated classroom setting. She gained experience supporting a broader population of neurodivergent learners. Part of her position required her to be a case manager, overseeing all preschool aged referrals to the school district. Being part of a team of specialists, she conducted evaluations used in determining eligibility for IDEA Part B services for children over the age of three. As a team member, she was responsible for helping in the development and monitoring of the student’s IEP and participating in the PPT process. Additionally, she provided community outreach by visiting the local childcare centers providing resources and supports. 

 

Jennifer found herself being especially drawn to supporting parents and caregivers with their children. So, when an opportunity arose to work part time for an agency providing Birth to Three services, she jumped at the chance. Her passion to support children and their families, eventually brought her to working full time in the CT Birth to Three system. 

 

Within her time in Birth to Three, Jennifer decided to enroll in a BCBA certification program. Her years of experience in the field of ABA, in collaboration with BCBAs has had an incredible impact on her professionally and personally. She knew this was the next step in her career. Jennifer completed her program and became a certified BCBA in April of 2023. 

 

Currently, Jennifer is a director for a non-profit, Birth to Three agency in CT. She still provides supports to children and their families and has joined the APEX team. As a BCBA at APEX, she is supporting children and parents in home-based programs and at the Learning Center.