RBT

Christie Lawrence started as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) at FOCUS in March 2019. In 2023, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a minor in ABA (BCaBA – Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) from the University of West Florida. She joined the FOCUS ABA therapy team in after spending four years as an ESE paraprofessional in self-contained ESE and inclusion classrooms.

“I enjoy working with kids and helping them reach their highest potential,” Lawrence explained. “As a mom to son with autism, I understand the journey a lot of our parents are on. I find it rewarding to be a part of the process and facilitate a relationship with our kids and families.”

A native of Philadelphia, PA, Lawrence moved to Southwest Florida at age 12. Now with extensive personal and professional experience with children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, she particularly enjoys helping discover what motivates each child – and finding ways to use those interests to craft reinforcing activities through play to spur growth and development.

“FOCUS has such a unique, whole-child approach where meeting the needs of each individual child is such a priority,” Lawrence said. “FOCUS has created a culture where we collaborate and support patients and their families every step of the way, helping them to reach their highest potential.”

Her philosophy regarding ABA therapy is that play is the work of the child.

Lawrence is a parent board member with the American Diabetes Association through Golisano Children’s Hospital and a Type 1 diabetes advocate. She enjoys hiking with her husband and two children, and is passionate about a healthy lifestyle.