Member Spotlight: Nikii Walker, M.S., BCBA, LBA of Sallyz Center for Autism

In honor of Black History Month, CASP is proud to recognize Black-owned business leaders.

A Few Minutes with Sallyz Center for Autism’s Nikii Walker.

The next subject in the Council of Autism Service Providers’ (CASP) regular series of Member Spotlights is Executive Director at Sallyz Center for Autism’s, Nikii Walker (MS, BCBA, LBA). Sallyz Center For Autism provides ABA therapy to individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other related disabilities in a center-based environment and in the home and community.

Here’s what she had to say . . .

Q. Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Jamaica. I was a certified Secondary Education Teacher before I discovered ABA in 2013. I love to travel and spend time with my family and dog. I have always had a passion to educate and teach new skills, so now, working in the field of ABA feels more like a hobby than a career, which makes it way more rewarding and less stressful.

Q. What are you most proud of at Sallyz Center for Autism?

I think what I am most proud of is the fact that Sallyz’s main goal is to focus on the quality of services we provide to our families while creating a healthy work environment for our staff to grow in.

Q. What advice would you share with other budding business owners?

Take time to work on yourself. In order to be the best leader, you need to be the best you. You will never get it right all the time, but when you do get it right, acknowledge it and give yourself a token.

Q. What, in your opinion, is the single biggest challenge faced by autism service providers today?

This, for me, is staff burnout. Covid-19 has made it extremely challenging to hire and retain adequate staffing, and as a result, it is difficult to ensure that all current staff are not on overdrive.

Q. Why did you join CASP?  What has CASP meant to your organization?

I joined CASP to connect and collaborate with other business owners and also to be a part of a group that cares about the interest of the people we serve, and I am so happy I made that decision.

Q. When you are not working, what do you do for fun?

I love to do fun art projects with my daughter or travel to country areas with beautiful scenery en route.

Learn more about Sallyz Center For Autism and the services that they provide on their website. For more information about CASP membership, please visit our website.