Meet the Team – Darina Donnellan

Published by Jo on 29th March 2021

Meet the Team – Darina Donnellan
Darina joined Green Light in September 2020 following two years of working as a self-employed ABA tutor.  This role involved working alongside a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) designing and implementing plans to increase functional, social and academic skills, and decrease behaviours that challenge. Darina has previously worked in a number of different settings including mainstream primary schools, SEN schools and on home programmes. Darina completed a Masters Degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis at Bangor University in 2018, completing an internship in a maintained SEN school alongside her MSc.  Darina is now working as a Behaviour Analyst Intern with Green Light’s Positive Behaviour Support Team.
Q: Where are you from and where do you live now?
A: I’m originally from Galway in Ireland and I am currently living near Newquay.
Q: How did you hear about Green Light ?
A: I heard about Green Light off a friend during my Master’s in ABA.
Q: Why did you decide to work for Green Light ?
A: I decided to work for Green Light because of their strong focus on person centered care. The type of support they provide is amazing and was something I really wanted to be a part of.
Q: What is your previous experience of autism or learning disabilities?
A: Since my Master’s I have worked on both home and school ABA programmes as an ABA Tutor.
Q: Do you have any special skills/hobbies or interests?
A: I really enjoy reading, baking and kayaking.
Q: When not working what are you most likely to be doing?
A: I am most likely to be baking (and subsequently eating) something delicious!
Q: What do you have on your bucket list?
A: The first thing on my bucket list is to become a BCBA. After that I would love to return to education and complete a PhD.
Q: Who is your hero or heroine & why?
A: I would have to say my first ever supervisor. She was so passionate about about the field of behaviour analysis and instilled that passion on me. She provided me with amazing support and feedback to allow for continuing professional development. She was always on hand to answer any questions I had which built up my confidence and shaped me into the practitioner I am today. I aspire to one day to provide the same levels of support and guidance to any one that I may supervise as I progress in my career.
Q: What three words sum up your personality?
A: enthusiastic, motivated, practical
Meet the Team – Darina Donnellan