Serving the Community

Goldean Lowe established ABA Classroom in 2021 and built the positive and effective work environment that ABA Classroom provides to the Lahaina community. ABA Classroom focuses on delivering highly effective comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis treatment in a fun and supportive learning environment. Whether this is done at the client's home or in the ABA classroom, the programs are family-centered and respectful of cultural and family goals.

The Clinical Director Goldean's commitment to authenticity in her relationships with families served and commitment to keeping the bar high for client outcomes sets her apart as a leader. Her mentors are pioneers in the field who help guide the best outcomes for the company and clients. The Hawaiian culture is about ohana or family, and she creates that within the company culture, treating each staff member, client, and family member as a unique and valued individual. Her determination to start the first ABA clinic on Maui's west side has transformed the lives of multiple families, making it accessible for them to access services.

Goldean maintains a high bar of company culture with the ABA Classroom Code of Conduct, shaping the team's commitment to a positive and supportive work environment. So she provides incentives for performance-based achievements and quarterly reviews, three hours of monthly training, tuition repayment, support for continued education in Behavior Analysis, and leadership opportunities according to interest and skill level. Team members are mentored through their BCBA programs and supported in areas of interest in Applied Behavior Analysis. Goldean believes that this culture of mentorship leads to enhanced development and success. She believes success is the path and the outcome; therefore, throughout the last 33 years, Goldean has addressed setbacks and successes in stride with resilience.

"There will always be ups and downs, and "I prefer to meet them equally and not become attached to success or failures because they all come and go," she explains.

"Uplifting one's consciousness and keeping up with one's word are two guiding principles for success."

Goldean started working on community projects for children and families in 1991, volunteering in soup kitchens in her hometown, Saskatoon, SK, Canada. Her varied life experiences include international youth and environmental projects in Romania, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica, as well as attaining her Master's in Counseling Psychology and a Master's in Behavior Analysis. She started her company in 2021 and is committed to the well-being of children with ASD and their families on Lahaina's west side.

The mission of ABA Classroom is to be an award-winning team based on merit and outcomes for the clients. Their model is grounded in "scientists as practitioners," with high integrity and high outcomes in practice. Goldean's commitment to fun varied, and practical learning experiences help ABA Classroom reach its goals. The classroom and team culture sets them apart from the rest. "Because of long-term family, staff, and community relationships, we are a well-loved, well-trusted ABA clinic with top outcomes for our learners. ABA Classroom delivers ABA medical treatment service to children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders, elucidates Goldean. "We use precision teaching, focusing on increasing verbal behavior and social skills and decreasing challenging behaviors that can be symptomatic with a diagnosis of ASD. The ABA Classroom is a resource for families on Maui's west side, providing a versatile learning environment within walking distance to fun community locations. BCBAs provide supervision with over 50 years of combined experience in ABA.

ABA Classroom has six community partnerships that create opportunities for clients to access recreational skills they would not otherwise have access to.

Community partners for learning work skills (prevocational skills) include Maui Animal Farm, Kindermusik with Tamara Craft, Kaanapali Shores Resort for swimming skills, Lahaina Aikido, The Block Lahaina for kids workout routines, and Kumu Kapua for traditional Hawaiian dance. The clients have exposure and experience in so many community networks that they have the skills and confidence to try new things and participate.

Goldean and her team's next goal is to open a Fit Learning clinic in Lahaina alongside ABA Classroom to offer ABA-based academic support to neurotypical individuals and individuals with learning disabilities. This is the next step in assisting the clients and community in achieving academic mastery in math, English, and logic curriculum. Their long-term goal is to integrate both of these clinics into an eco-village setting, accessing vocational opportunities in ecological restoration and organic farming for clients as they grow older.

ABA Classroom continues to grow into a center of excellence, integrating the Competent Learner Model for all clients, compiling stories of their journey into a book that details their unique approach, and showing how other clinics can incorporate this model. Goldean will embark on a PhD program integrating precision teaching and ecology research. "After the Lahaina wildfires last year, Goldean started a GoFundMe campaign to support her staff and families through their losses. She raised over $17,000 and worked with other community agencies to match an additional $12,000 for families to purchase vehicles and other essentials. Supporting the community and families is central to her genuine practice. Since then, she has been working on a reforestation project for the Lahaina area to address the underlying reason for the yearly fires on West Side Maui (deforestation 150 years ago)

"Set your aim, be true to your word, offer service, open your heart, and surrender to your life's true purpose." These are the guiding principles of Goldean Lowe's life and work.