Employee Spotlight - Robin Masciave Story

Robin Masciave, a RBT IV in California at ABS Kids, shares a mother’s journey navigating autism diagnoses, advocacy, and the transformative impact of ABA therapy on her two sons, highlighting the power of persistence, empathy, and professional support in unlocking their potential.

There's a moment I remember vividly — sitting in a pediatrician's office, my gut telling me something was different about my son. Not broken. Not less. Just different. Little did I know then that this moment would become the first step in a journey that would reshape my understanding of love, communication, and human potential. 

Emmett was my first glimpse into the beautiful complexity of neurodiversity. At three, his speech was a puzzle we were desperately trying to solve. Apraxia, they told us — a diagnosis that felt both like an explanation and a challenge. The world around him was overwhelming. Sounds became thunderstorms. Strangers transformed into threats. Our daily life was a delicate dance of avoiding triggers and managing intense emotional storms. 

I remember the first time he said "Mom" — a moment so profound it's etched into my heart forever. It wasn't just a word. It was a bridge, a connection we had been fighting to build. 

The journey to understanding wasn't easy. With Emmett, I became a warrior — fighting constantly to be heard, to have him evaluated for autism. It took five long years of persistent advocacy before we finally received his diagnosis. Even then, it was a complex maze of bureaucratic hoops, endless appointments, and emotional exhaustion. Each "no" or "he'll grow out of it" from professionals felt like another barrier between my son and the support he desperately needed. 

Elias' path was even more challenging. Elias arrived with his own unique set of challenges. Where Emmett struggled with communication, Elias battled with sensory experiences that most of us take for granted. Food became a battlefield — certain textures could trigger immediate meltdowns. His emotional regulation felt like walking through a minefield, never knowing when the next explosion might happen. Self-injurious behaviors broke my heart, each moment a silent cry for understanding. 

Doctors repeatedly dismissed my concerns, suggesting that what I saw as neurodivergent traits were simply a lack of discipline. They told me he just needed stricter parenting, more structure, more consequences. But a mother knows. A mother sees beyond the surface, understands the depth of her child's experience in a way no standardized test or quick consultation ever could. 

This experience taught me a crucial truth: parents are the voices for children who cannot yet speak for themselves. We are their first and most important advocates. When the world tries to fit our children into narrow, predetermined boxes, we push back. We insist on recognition, on understanding, on support. 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) wasn't just a therapy. It became our lifeline, our hope, our path forward. 

Emmett's transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Starting ABA at four, we watched him slowly but surely gain tools to navigate his world. By the time he graduated, just before turning 10, he had become a different child — not changed, but empowered. An avid reader now, he developed self-regulation skills that seemed impossible just years before. Those violent outbursts that once defined our days became less frequent as he learned to understand and manage his emotions. 

Elias's journey is still unfolding. Just six months into ABA, we're witnessing small but significant victories. Each improvement in his self-injurious behaviors feels like a ray of hope, a testament to the power of understanding and targeted support. 

My professional path was born from this personal experience. I didn't just want to be a passive observer in my children's growth — I wanted to actively support other families walking similar paths. In October 2023, I joined ABS Kids as a Behavior Technician, driven by a passion that goes far beyond a job description. I quickly earned my RBT passing my certification within two months and am on a journey to become a BCBA. 

The most profound lesson I've learned isn't found in any textbook. It's about presence. True, deep, unwavering presence. 

When I work with clients, I don't see challenges to be fixed. I see individuals struggling to communicate, to connect, to be understood. An outburst isn't a problem to be suppressed — it's a form of communication waiting to be decoded. In my sessions, I practice what I call "empathetic immersion." If my client is five, then for that moment, I'm five too. I step into their world, see through their eyes, feel with their intensity. 

Naturalistic Environmental Training has become my philosophy — both as a mother and a professional. We're not teaching skills in a vacuum. We're providing tools for real-life navigation. Every lesson is a potential key to unlocking a more connected, more comfortable existence. 

This journey has taught me that neurodiversity isn't about deficiency. It's about difference. My sons aren't broken pieces waiting to be fixed. They're unique individuals with their own strengths, challenges, and incredible potential. ABA hasn't changed who they are — it's helped them become more fully themselves. 

What I Learned: 

1. Advocacy is Crucial Every child deserves a voice, and sometimes that voice comes through their parents. Don't be afraid to push, to question, to demand evaluations and support. Your persistence can be the key that unlocks understanding and help for your child. 
2. Every Child is Unique No two journeys with autism are the same. What works for one child might not work for another. Embrace your child's individuality and be ready to adapt your approach. 
3. Patience is Not Just a Virtue — It's a Necessity Progress isn't always linear. Some days will feel like two steps forward, one step back. Celebrate the small victories and understand that growth takes time. 
4. Empathy is Your Greatest Tool Whether you're a parent or a professional, the ability to truly see the world through your child's or client's eyes is transformative. It's not about changing them, but understanding them. 
5. Professional Support Can Be Life-Changing ABA, when done right, is not about suppressing who a child is, but about giving them tools to navigate the world more comfortably and confidently. 
6. Self-Care Matters Supporting a child with autism can be emotionally and physically demanding. Take care of yourself. Your mental and emotional health is crucial to being the best support for your child. 

To those becoming parents or just beginning this journey: 

Breathe. 

Your love is the most powerful intervention. Be patient. Be present. Seek to understand, not to change. Celebrate every single victory, no matter how small. 

Our path with autism isn't linear. It's not a straight line from challenge to success. It's a beautiful, complex, sometimes messy dance of growth, understanding, and unconditional love. 

To those parents joining this field for the same reasons I did: Welcome.These families' lives will be forever changed because of you — because of your commitment to bringing their world into clarity. Each session, each moment of patience, each small breakthrough is a light of hope. You're not just doing a job. You're building bridges of understanding, one child, one family at a time. 

Your empathy is your greatest tool. Your passion is their pathway to connection. 

Welcome to a journey that will transform not just the lives of your clients, but your own understanding of human potential.