Services
ABA therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. It applies our understanding of how behavior works to real situations. The goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning. The methods of behavior analysis have been used and studied for decades. They have helped many kinds of learners gain different skills – from healthier lifestyles to learning a new language.
Initial assessments
The initial assessment allows for ABA providers to develop a treatment plan that is unique to your child and includes all treatment recommendations and goals. As such, the assessment must include, direct and indirect observation of your child in more than one setting.
Toilet training
Therapists will use ABA effectively to potty train children. This is usually done using discrete trial training and Task Analysis, an ABA technique that breaks a single skill down into more simplified and structured steps with each step of the process being rewarded individually (reinforced).
Caregiver ABA coaching
While ABA therapy does help children with autism work on the skills they’ll need to be independent, parent training in ABA therapy is important when helping your child translate those skills to the outside world. The purpose of caregiver training is to work to teach caregivers the same strategies that BCBAs and RBTs use in ABA sessions. By caregivers learning ABA treatment strategies, they are able to ensure generalization and maintenance of skills outside of ABA sessions.
Behavior reduction
Behavior reduction concepts in ABA refer to principles and strategies that are utilized to decrease the occurrence of maladaptive behaviors in the identified client. Whenever working on behavior reduction, it is very important to also consider what behavior should be targeted to develop.
Functional communication training
FCT is a therapy for autistic children. It aims to replace challenging behavior with new ways of communicating that achieve the same thing. The therapy might focus on verbal communication, or it might include signing, pictures or speech generating devices.
Social skills development
An ABA social skills therapy session will break down specific complex social skills (such as: taking turns, conversation, sharing, joining a group, working with others towards a common goal, understanding facial expressions, tone of voice, etc.) into smaller components and then teach those components systematically. Many children and adults on the autism spectrum need help in learning how to act in different types of social situations. They often have the desire to interact with others, but may not know how to engage friends or may be overwhelmed by the idea of new experiences. Building up social skills with practice can help enhance participation in the community and support outcomes like happiness and friendships.