Kayla Gussy is a program specialist at SageWay Behavioral Health in Bentonville, gaining hands-on training toward a special education master's degree.

She works one-on-one with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, focusing on social skills, self-regulation, and transferring behaviors they've learned into new environments. Gussy uses individualized treatment plans created by a board-certified behavior analyst. By this time next year, she'll be writing plans of her own. Gussy will graduate from the University of Arkansas in December, specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis. She's a staunch advocate for children with autism, helping ensure that they receive the same opportunities as their peers.

"My favorite thing is seeing children succeed in areas where they previously struggled," Gussy said. "Those children go on to lead fuller and more enriched lives because of the skills and goals that we worked on in ABA."

Gussy earned an undergraduate degree from the U of A in Human Development and Family Sciences in 2014. She went to work as a lead behavioral health technician at Piney Ridge Treatment Center, a psychiatric residential facility for children and teens.

Before moving to SageWay, Gussy worked at the Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center on the U of A campus for four years. She began as an assistant educator in the infant room and was promoted to lead educator.

"I had the privilege of staying with those children for three years until they went to preschool," she said. "I enjoyed getting to see them develop from such a young age and really gain their personalities."

She started graduate school in the College of Education and Health Professions while teaching at Jean Tyson. That's when she learned more about the applied behavior health field.

"I fell in love," she said. "I'm excited to work with children who have special needs and help them improve their daily lives." 

Gussy's heart is open to young adults as well. She's on a committee bringing the inaugural "Out of the Darkness Campus Walk" to the U of A on March 5. The university will join a quarter of a million people walking on campuses across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention. The walk will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's goal of reducing the annual U.S. rate of suicide by 20 percent by the year 2025.

"I love spreading the message of the importance of mental health," she said. "With everything going on in the world, we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves, especially when taking care of others. I hope this event can help some of our students and faculty find the resources they may need if they are in a tough spot."

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To read more Dean's Spotlight stories and other COEHP community news, visit the College's online magazine, the Colleague. The College of Education and Health Professions offers advanced academic degrees as well as professional development opportunities and learning communities in service to the education and health systems of Arkansas and beyond. Visit the College's webiste for more information about Special Education degrees.