When Sheldon Ebbeler first entered college, he imagined a future in physics and astronomy. But a single elective changed everything. While pursuing his degree at UCF, he took courses in communicative disorders and completed clinical observation hours in speech–language therapy. Something clicked. At the time, he was searching for opportunities to work with children, which led him to a residential treatment center for individuals with autism and developmental delays.

“I fell in love with it,” Sheldon says. “The opportunity combined two things I really like: working with kids, and the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).”

Behavior analysis is the science of behavior, and according to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, ABA “generally involves teaching individuals more effective ways of behaving through positive reinforcement and working to change the social consequences of existing behavior.”

Steadily advancing in the field

Sheldon joined Quest Kids in 2005 after several years at a residential treatment center for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Illinois He started in a behavior technician role and became a Board–Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2005. He earned his Board–Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification in 2007.

Today, Sheldon is a senior BCBA at Quest Kids Therapy in Orlando who leads clinical care, mentors staff and designs effective treatment plans for children and families. His academic background in linguistics and communicative disorders fuels his specialty in verbal behavior and complex human learning. One of the biggest lessons he learned early on is the importance of following a child’s motivation.

“A lot of people think you have to sit kids at a table and run programs,” he explains. “But with young kids, it’s the opposite. You need to follow what they’re interested in and tailor your instruction around that.”

Supporting RBTs and partnering with families

This principle guides how Sheldon trains new RBTs to build rapport and use reinforcers to keep kids motivated. Understanding motivation begins the moment a child enters services. Every treatment plan starts with a thorough assessment, not just of age, but of developmental level and communication skills.

Parents are also indispensable in the process. For a child to be most successful, the skills they learn in therapy must matter to the family and be practiced at home. Sheldon works closely with caregivers to ensure goals are meaningful, achievable and aligned with what matters most. When this collaboration happens, he can clearly see how ABA positively impacts a child’s life and a family’s daily experiences.

A recent example involved a parent sharing their child’s growth in conversational skills. In the past, the child would give one–word answers, but now responds, asks questions and engages in natural exchanges.

“I love seeing the progress,” he says. “When families take the time to share those moments, it reminds you why this work matters.”

To learn more about Quest’s therapy services, visit Quest Kids Therapy. To join professionals like Sheldon who are making a meaningful difference, explore career opportunities at Quest, Inc.