Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Jacovsky. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lisa, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
This is a very interesting question and I think I really decided on being a person who helps from a young age. my parents are the type of people who would help anyone, no matter what it was, to the best of their ability growing up. they still do today and you can call it being supportive too. they would always help with buying toys for the kids in the daycare I worked in or if a friend needed a place to stay or just to talk they were always there. growing up they always taught me to be kind to people and to give back. we always donated clothes and toys. i think from a young age, myself and my brother were just taught to be kind and giving in a natural and organic way. it was an example my parents instilled in us and continued to do now for us both. I think because of their example I was always set on a path to help others. Then when I was working in a daycare I worked with a pre-kindergartener that had autism. we did not know that at the time but when we found out it was not a surprise. i was the only one that would attempt to work with her and she honestly was a pleasure. i even began to babysit her. that was my first time working with a child with any form of difference. it really is what inspired me to go into applied behavior analysis. then when I got in the field, that’s where I realized I would be giving back and helping. from there I was inspired to write my first series. then as they say, the rest is history. I’m very thankful for the example my parents set and continue to set. having a purpose is what drives me and I’m lucky to have the one I do.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am currently an award-winning children’s book author and award-winning podcast host. Being an author has been such an incredible journey. I never expected to make the difference I have or win any awards. Winning awards means reaching a larger audience and doing even more good. The idea for the podcast came from networking and making friends with other authors. I feel so lucky to interview individuals and organizations making a difference. Through my podcast, I met brainstorm productions that employ autistic individuals in animation. They are the genius behind any book’s illustrations, cover, and layout outside the let’s talk! Series. I feel like everything happens for a reason, and in the sequence, it is supposed to. If I did not go into ABA, I may not have my books and podcasts. Being an author has always been a dream for me, and being able to make a difference has been even more of a dream. I want others to see individuals who are different the way I do, which is no different than anyone else. I say individuals rather than autism because there is so much more to being neurodivergent than autism. And any of those types of labels mean the individual learns differently. I have had an amazing career in ABA and have been able to learn so much. I have incredible memories with old clients I will always cherish, which is why each book is set differently. It all stems from my career and experiences. I also bring much of my work to my profession as a professor. If we can inspire our students to follow their dreams at a young age because I was always too afraid to become an author until now, maybe we will see even more change-makers emerge. My writing is about ensuring our children see others and their differences as beautiful. That way, they grow up to embrace differences, and we can decrease bullying. As a professor, if I can inspire individuals in their late teens and early twenties to take a chance and go after making a change, then we can shape this world into something better. Children and young adults need to know they can make a difference and embrace their dreams. That is my career and mission professionally. I am going to have a new series come out in January that is a spin-off of my original series. In this series Emma, who happens to have autism, is going to narrate. very very different and I am so excited for it! I am really hoping this book inspires other families to encourage their child to engage in their own dreams. To encourage children to want to write as well. I have other books coming out just not a schedule yet. But will post it all on my social media. i also am going to have a schedule for craft fair events where you can come see me, say hi and buy a signed book. Keep up on my social media for more updates
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The first quality has to be my determination. If I let the obstacles deter me from my path and just said ok, I cant pass this test then I am just going to stay here in this job and that’s It for my career, then i would never have gotten to where i am today. I am thankful i never passed the BCBA. Because i did not i enrolled in a doctorate program, my first attempt ill be honest. It is that program that really changed the course of my career and the best way possible. If i wasn’t so determined to grow and do more than just stay where i was as a behavior specialist, then i would never have gotten to write my books, found a love of research or wanted to teach at the college level. Those three things are my passion and favorite parts of my career. I have lost my passion to stay in ABA but found who parts of the field i love even more. A second skill would be my ability to do research. I fell in love with research during the first doctorate program and became very good at it. i had already begun to work on that skill over the years in trying to find the best for the best price or planning things out for myself and my friends. turning into something helpful for my career was the best thing. Learning has power and i have figured out how to use that power and skill to my advantage in my career. A third quality i would say is the fact i am open or i would say flexible. my parents brought us to be open to anyone and anything and that has really enriched my life. some of my favorite memories are from when i took the adults in the groups homes on trips. It also means i have these amazing experiences i can share with my students and in my books as a way to inspire others. i am thankful for being brought up that way because it has brought so much to my life and my career.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My family, and that includes my friends have become family. no matter what happens in mine or their life, they are always there for me. Always supporting me and always telling me the truth. Sometimes that truth is tough, but they are always right in the end. They have stood by me throughout my career and seen me try to figure things out when i continued to fail the BCBA and when i knew i wanted to withdraw from the first PhD program. They were supportive when i first published and when i decided to go switch specialties by enrolling in a second master’s program. They write reviews for me and help with selling my books. they are right there when i talk about stories from work as a professor. Without my support system, i would not be where i am today. i am truly blessed with the people in my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: diverseinkbooks
- Facebook: booksbylisajacovsky
- Linkedin: lisa jacovsky
Image Credits
all me
