About

"Teaching is the arrangement of contingencies to facilitate learning"

- B.F. Skinner

Our Leadership

Zakira Golden,
M.S., BCBA - Executive Director/Founder

Zakira started Behavior Analysis and Intervention Center after receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Health Education and Promotion from Georgia Southern University, Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Walden University and BCBA Certification from California State University.

At the start of her career, Zakira began working with children through Georgia’s Babies Can’t Wait program. Babies Can’t Wait (BCW) is Georgia’s early intervention program that offers a variety of coordinated services for infants and toddlers with special needs, from birth to three years-of-age and their families.

Throughout her career, Zakira has worked for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at the Marcus Autism Center. While working at Marcus, she facilitated toilet training and behavior intervention protocols to reduce mal-adaptive behaviors and to increase independence on the Severe Behavior Unit. Additionally, Zakira has gained experience as a BCBA through community-based ABA agencies primarily focusing on Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Natural Environment Teaching (NET), Functional Communication, Augmentative/Alternative Communication Devices, Social Skills and Comprehensive/Focused ABA Therapy.

In 2016, Zakira was recognized as one of Georgia Southern University’s 40 Under 40 members for her advocacy, therapy and active participation in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Community.

In her spare time, Zakira has co-led the Spectrum Adult Autism Support Group based out of Gwinnett County Georgia for 3 years and is an active committee member that coordinates planning for the annual Autism Speaks walk in Georgia that aids in bringing support to families with individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

Zakira now practices in Powder Springs, Georgia. She strives to bring effective interventions, therapy, Autism awareness/acceptance events and professional training to her local community.