Most days, Sophia Giovigno is up at 4 AM and at the gym before work. From there, she heads to her room at Verbal Beginnings, where she works one-on-one with clients and supports her technicians as a Therapy Room Supervisor. Her evenings go to BCBA fieldwork as part of VBA. And this fall, she’s taking on one more big goal: running the NYC Marathon for Team for Kids! Sophia joined the team at VB Annapolis and found a team that gave her room to grow. She even used ABA to train for race day, writing her own shaping plan to build from 3 miles up to 26.2! We sat down with her to talk about her journey in ABA and how she’s getting ready for the big day.
What first drew you to a career in ABA?
When I was in undergrad, I got an on campus job. I had no idea what ABA was but figured it would be fun to hangout with kids at work. I started working as a technician in the adult day program and youth social skills. Once I got to know my BCBA’s more and learned about the science behind ABA, I knew it was what I wanted to do.
How did you come to work at VB?
I grew up in Annapolis and when looking into places to begin my BCBA fieldwork, I found a clinic that was opening a few miles from where I lived. After learning more about VBA during my interview process, VB had the best opportunity for me to grow.
What does a typical week look like for you as a Therapy Room Supervisor?
No week looks the same. I get to spend time in 1:1 session, I baseline new programs with technicians in my room, I run treatment fidelity daily to determine if there are opportunities to train or write programming differently, and I support wherever I’m needed!
Sophia Giovigno and Kaitlyn Baldwin at the Rocky Statue in Philadelphia, PA.
You’re on track for your BCBA too! That is incredibly exciting! What’s that journey been like, and what’s kept you motivated?
It’s definitely a crazy journey. I recently finished my hours so it’s been a lot easier to maintain a work/life balance but working with families and hearing how we impact the lives of the whole family, always reminds me why we do what we do.
Is there a moment with a client or family that’s made you feel like you are in the right field?
A client in my room graduated recently and his mom wrote me a letter thanking me for the support and the love that we showed her son. In the card she thanked me for helping her find her son. Reading that really cemented the love that I have for this field and the work that we do. Being able to give the skills to wave to your mom the first time, participate in daily activities in their home, use their words instead of engaging in an interfering behavior, or watching them move on to kindergarten is such a rewarding feeling.
What has VB given you that’s helped you grow: mentorship, culture, support?
Mentorship and support for sure. I’ve had several VBA supervisors, all of which I have maintained a relationship with and get advice from regularly. Everyone here has had such different experiences so there is always someone that can answer my questions and support my growth into a BCBA.
How has VBA supported your BCBA journey?
I’ve had so many opportunities to complete treatment plans, shadow and implement family trainings, work hand in hand with BCBAs and learn more about what is going to be asked of me when I am a BCBA. I’ve even gotten the opportunity to work with BCBAs in other rooms to expand my scope of expertise and practice leadership skills.
Sophia attending the Army vs Navy Football Game.
How long have you been a runner? Is this your first time running the NYC Marathon?
I started my fitness journey about two years ago. I have never been a distance runner but after watching the NYC marathon Tiktoks, I decided to try. I’ve run a few half marathons with a VB coworker and finally signed up for my (and probably only lol) marathon!
How have you balanced training with your VBA workload?
I wake up around 4AM every morning to go to the gym before work and do my long runs on Saturday or Sunday mornings around the same time. I prioritize running in the mornings and focus on fieldwork in the evenings after work.
Sophia and Kaitlyn before their run in Philadelphia.
What drew you to Team for Kids as your cause?
I was drawn to Team for Kids because I believe every child deserves the opportunity to be active, healthy, and confident. Running has given me a sense of community, discipline, and accomplishment, and I love that Team for Kids uses running to help bring those same benefits to children who may not otherwise have access to them This cause is about helping young people build healthy habits, confidence, and a lifelong love of movement. Being able to run for a cause that directly invests in kids makes it all feel even more meaningful.
Does the mindset of shaping behavior in small steps show up in how you’ve trained for the race?
I’ve shaped up my long distance runs all the way from 3 miles to my longest run so far, 20 miles. Embarrassingly, I wrote myself a shaping protocol that reinforces successive approximations of distance to eventually be able to run the full 26.2!
Sophia during her qualifying race.
What are you most excited and most nervous about on race day?
I’m the most excited to finish! My whole family is coming out to support me (even with matching t-shirts) so I’m excited to prove to myself that I can do it and that my hard work will pay off. I’m also excited to be done with the long distance runs.
Anything or anyone at VB you want to shout out?
Shout out to my best friends Hannah Christie and Heather Mann, both of who have supported my whole running journey by listening to me complain, working out alongside me, and encouraging me along the way. Alvina, my supervisor, who has introduced me into the world of ABA x Fitness. Also my Pete the Cat family! Kiara, Dylan, Mia, Kelechi, Brittney, and Heather for encouraging me and being so fantastic at their jobs!
