Anastasia Yun is a young researcher and expert in psychology and applied behavior analysis.
Today, we will discuss with Anastasia Yun, Ph.D., PLP, BCBA-D, LABA, NCSP — a young scientist and specialist in psychology and applied behavior analysis whose multifaceted career and extensive experience encompass various aspects of psychological support and scientific research. It is crucial to highlight the significance of young scholars like Anastasia who represent Kyrgyzstan on the international stage and contribute significantly to the country's development. Her work not only enhances the quality of life for children and families in Kyrgyzstan in education and mental health but also elevates the country's prestige in the eyes of the global scientific community.
Professional Activities
Question: Anastasia, can you tell us about your current work and responsibilities at the Nebraska Medical Center?
Answer: Currently, I am working as a psychologist in a postdoctoral program at the Nebraska Medical Center, where my responsibilities include providing individual and family therapy for patients of various ages, diagnosing and assessing child development, implementing Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), developing therapy plans, and writing psychological reports. I also conduct training sessions for parents and actively collaborate with teachers, lawyers, family members, and other professionals while working in multidisciplinary teams. We strive to create integrated approaches to therapy and support for our patients, enabling us to more effectively address various clinical cases.
At the Nebraska Medical Center, I engage not only in individual therapy but also actively participate in group work, conducting training and seminars for parents and professionals. My work involves developing training and support programs aimed at improving the emotional and psychological well-being of children and educating parents and professionals on methods of interacting with children. Additionally, I am involved in research aimed at improving the quality of services provided and developing new treatment and support methodologies.
The Nebraska Medical Center is renowned for its cutting-edge methods and high standards in children's psychology. We aim to implement the latest scientific developments and approaches to provide our patients with the best treatment and support. In my work, I employ a comprehensive approach that includes both traditional and innovative psychotherapy methods, allowing us to achieve the best results in treating and supporting children and their families.
The Nebraska Medical Center is one of the leading medical institutions in the U.S., as confirmed by its high rankings in national and regional assessments. According to U.S. News & World Report, the hospital ranks among the best children’s hospitals in the country, occupying prestigious positions in specialized areas such as cardiology and cardiac surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, pulmonology and lung surgery, as well as urology.
U.S. News rankings evaluate data from nearly 5,000 hospitals, and to be included among the best, a hospital must demonstrate outstanding results in treating the most complex medical cases. In 2021, the Nebraska Medical Center was recognized as the best in the region and the state, ranking 20th in the Midwest and 1st in Nebraska. It is the only medical institution in the region to receive such an honor for specialized pediatric care.
Question: You have also participated in various volunteer projects. Could you please share your experience in this area?
Answer: Yes, I have participated in psychological support projects for Ukraine, such as the Israeli project, as well as with organizations like TellMe and Vartozhyty. Within these projects, I provided free psychological assistance to Ukrainians of all ages amidst the military conflict, consulted clients, and collaborated with other mental health professionals. This experience allowed me to acquire essential skills in crisis counseling and support in extreme conditions. Working in crisis situations taught me to make quick decisions and find an approach to each client, enabling me to provide effective assistance even in the most challenging circumstances. This experience not only broadened my professional skills but also significantly contributed to the development of the psychological support system in crisis situations.
In the context of military conflict and other crises, psychological support plays a critical role in helping individuals cope with distress and stress. I am proud to contribute to providing this assistance by working with teams of professionals and volunteers who strive to help people navigate difficulties and restore their mental health.
Question: You worked with the organization "Hand in Hand" in Kyrgyzstan. Can you tell us about this project?
Answer: From 2015 to 2017, I worked with the organization "Hand in Hand" — a community association of parents of children with autism. As part of the "Open World" project, I served as a school psychologist and tutor in applied behavior analysis (ABA), participating in the first resource class for children with autism in Kyrgyzstan. This project, implemented in collaboration with the education department of the Bishkek city administration, aimed to demonstrate that children with autism can learn. We provided educational opportunities for 10-15 children who previously had no access to schools.
In my role as a psychologist, I provided psychological and educational support to these children, conducted assessments, developed educational materials, and consulted teachers, demonstrating various methods of interacting with children. I also assisted in conducting lessons, showing how to motivate children and support their learning. Throughout our work, we faced many challenges, but each one became a stimulus for further development and improvement of our methods.
As a tutor, I helped children focus and complete tasks, taught parents ABA methods, and monitored the children's task completion, allowing teachers to concentrate on teaching. With my support, sixteen parents received ABA services, enabling them to effectively manage their children's behavior in daily life. The "Open World" project demonstrated that children with autism can learn and deserve inclusion in the educational process, leading to systemic changes in inclusive education policy in Kyrgyzstan.
My work with Hand in Hand also involved developing and implementing individualized educational plans, which allowed us to consider each child's needs. We worked on creating an inclusive educational environment where every child could feel comfortable and confident. Our efforts aimed to provide every child with the opportunity for comprehensive development and socialization, despite their unique characteristics.
Currently, Hand in Hand offers a variety of services, including ABA therapy for adolescents with autism, and is the only institution in the country providing such services to this age group at the level they do, helping them acquire professional skills. I am glad to have contributed to the development of the applied behavior analysis field in Kyrgyzstan through such an important project as "Open World." It is now more evident that the aspiration to provide every child with the opportunity for comprehensive development and socialization can become a reality.
Research Activities
Question: Your contribution to scientific research is also quite significant. Please tell us about your publications and research.
Answer: I actively participate in scientific conferences, research, and publications, making significant contributions to the advancement of my field. My research covers a wide range of topics, including social-emotional learning, the adaptation of students from Central and South Asia to higher education, systemic family involvement in educational processes, and the use of dialogic reading and mixed realities to support social-emotional learning in young children.
My articles have been published in reputable journals such as "Educational Psychology," "Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation," "Contemporary School Psychology," and "Current Psychology." These journals have high rankings and are recognized in the scientific community for their rigorous standards and contributions to the fields of psychology and education. For example, the journal "Educational Psychology" is known for its research in educational psychology and has a high impact factor, making its publications significant and influential.
Currently, my colleague and I are conducting research on the resilience of families with children with disabilities, as well as the current state of social-emotional skills of these children. All families are from Ukraine. The relevance of the topic is due to the acute shortage of applied behavior analysis specialists trained in modern trauma-informed programs that consider current realities and transgenerational trauma. We have already presented our preliminary data at a conference organized by Human Rights Vector, which took place on February 17-18, 2023, in Ukraine. We are also working on creating a trauma-informed course on applied behavior analysis to help train specialists who meet modern requirements based on the latest scientific research and practices.
Doctoral Dissertation
Question: Anastasia, tell us about your doctoral dissertation and its significance for the education system in Kyrgyzstan.
Answer: My doctoral dissertation focused on implementing the "Tuning In To Kids" (TIK) social-emotional learning program in schools in Kyrgyzstan. This significant scientific endeavor aimed to make my contribution to the development of the educational and psychological sectors of the country. During my dissertation research conducted from August 2022 to February 2023, I trained and supported teachers in integrating skills for developing emotional intelligence among children. All my work was directed towards assisting primary school teachers and students in improving interpersonal skills, increasing academic engagement, and reducing disruptive behavior in classrooms.
Question: Why did you decide to implement the TIK program in Kyrgyzstan?
Answer: I decided to implement this intervention because high levels of school violence and low academic performance are observed in Kyrgyzstan's schools. According to a UNICEF report from 2012, 83% of students reported that they had witnessed or experienced instances of violence at school. Additionally, according to the PISA study conducted by OECD in 2010, students in Kyrgyzstan showed the lowest scores in reading, mathematics