Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy (ABA)
Having effective strategies for meeting our wants and needs while also fostering appreciative relationships within our world can bring an incredible sense of security. The structured support of ABA helps to develop new strategies for safely navigating the environment, representing ourselves well, and being understood and loved as unique individuals.
Because every child and family's needs and interests are different, treatment plans can include a large array of different goals. A family's input on creating goals for the treatment plan is of utmost importance so that services can be as meaningful and successful as possible for an individual. With that said, some children's treatment may focus more on behavior support, some on skill goals, and most a combination of both. This is often the case as challenging behaviors and skill deficits are so closely related. Here are some common areas that can be targeted through our services:
Communication- Requesting, Labeling, Following Directions, Conversational Turn Taking
Daily Living Skills- Toileting, Dressing, Eating, Preparing Food, Organizing Room
Play and Social Skills- Sharing, Turn Taking, Gameplay, Social Initiations
Pre-Academic Skills- Following directions, Transitioning, Imitation
Self and Time-Management
Behavior Supports, such as Visual schedules, Consequence and Antecedent strategies
What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy?
ABA therapy is based on the science of human behavior and how people learn to behave, based on what's happened in our past, what's happening in our current environment, and how people are responding to what we do. The focus of changing behavior is usually on consequences and how they shape how we learn and behave. How we reduce certain behaviors and increase others is by altering the environment and those consequences, first figuring out why a behavior is happening and what is reinforcing those behaviors. We provide high quality Applied Behavior Analysis services within the natural environment of those affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other delays and disorders. Our treatment model focuses on a client-centered and family oriented approach to decreasing challenging behaviors, increasing positive behaviors, and teaching children functional skills needed for safety, happiness, and independence. Our BCBA prioritizes collaboration with all of the professionals and educators involved in a child's life to ensure a comprehensive and successful outcome. Services may be provided across settings ranging from in the office during speech, OT, or PT appointments, in the home, in our clinic setting, or in the community. ABA program employs a trauma informed approach to treatment, with our clinic staff being trained in Ukeru, a locally created program that maximizes a person's dignity and autonomy while safely helping them with positive behavior support.
For more information on Ukeru:
Our Approach: What does high-quality ABA look like?
As ABA is an evidence-based treatment, all of the decisions that we make throughout the course of services are based on data. Starting from the initial observation, we will break down a child's behavior and skills into measurable behaviors so that we can track exactly what is happening and what is working or not working. This ensures that we can make changes to behavior or instructional plans anytime as needed without wasting time on ineffective programs. This also helps us to teach skills in a highly systematic way, with a focus on success from the start and fading prompts as needed. Our BCBA is constantly tracking a child's progress, making changes with families as needed, and providing frequent supervision of direct staff. These technicians, who undergo constant training, will be the ones spending the most time with a child, implementing skill and behavior plans. Our program puts a lot of effort into making sure that a plan is carried out effectively, and frequent supervision and parent education and training are tools to make that happen. ABA services are provided as part of a comprehensive package that includes everyone involved in a child's life - BCBA will maintain contact with school staff and other therapists and providers so that consistency, a key to positive behavior change over time, is maintained. Finally, treatment plans are based on what will be meaningful for a child and his or her family. What tools does that child need to be more independent during the day? How can we challenge a child while also providing the supports they need for emerging skills? How can we help the caregivers to respond to behaviors in a less stressful and more productive way? What behaviors need to be reduced to ensure that a child is safe and that he or she is prepared to learn? What behaviors can be increased so that a child can learn to make their own choices and do more things on their own? These are the questions we constantly ask so that treatment is as meaningful as possible.
What are the benefits of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy?
When we talk about behavior, we don't just mean "bad" behavior. We mean everything that a person does! Behavior includes screaming or tantrums, but it also includes walking to the car safely, cleaning up toys, writing letters, using the bathroom, or talking to a friend. The same rules of reinforcement, consequences, and learning apply to all behaviors. We use these principles to reduce challenging behaviors, but we use these same principles to increase appropriate behaviors and teach skills that the child needs through systematic instruction. Once we find out the functions or "why" of negative behaviors, we can use that function to teach and motivate positive behaviors so that the person still gets needs met. If a child engages in a tantrum when they want to listen to music, we are going to stop providing reinforcement (no more music when tantrums occur). Then we will teach that child how to ask for music, whether it be with their voice, picture cards, signs, or a speech device. Then when they ask appropriately, that's where the music comes in! This comprehensive approach addresses behavior in a way that increases a person's motivation to learn and to engage in fun, safe, and successful behaviors!
