Clinical services ABA teaches through small steps
Clinical services How does the ABA process work?
ABA teaches children by breaking down complex tasks into small and discrete instructional steps. These small steps build on each other toward mastering a more complex goal.
Understanding how the ABA process works allows your family to maximize treatment outcomes. Below are the major steps involved in delivery of ABA services.
ABA programming focuses on: • Replacing problem behavior with a socially acceptable behavior
What happens during the initial assessment? • We get to know your child and family • The family’s concerns are identified • Formal assessment, parent interview, and observation of the child and family occur • Information obtained during the Initial Assessment allows the BCBA to write the Treatment Plan which outlines specific goals to be taught through the delivery of ABA services • The BCBA reviews the Treatment Plan with the family, answers any questions, and obtains consent for services What is a treatment plan? A treatment plan is an important (and required) document that outlines relevant information about your child and the goals that have been identified and agreed upon by your child’s Care Team. Treatment plans include information such as: • Medical and background information about the child and family • Why ABA services are needed (e.g. medically necessary) • Goals related to the core deficits of ASD (including how goals will be taught and generalized) • Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan (if appropriate) • Coordination with other care team members (e.g. School teacher, Speech Therapist, Physician) • Caregiver Involvement • Transition and Discharge Plan • Recommendation for service intensity
• Teaching functional communication skills • Developing age-appropriate social skills • Teaching adaptive skills needed for daily living
Variables in determining service intensity include: • Child’s age • Child’s individual learning needs • How many hours the family can support each week (given other siblings, family schedule, etc.) • Number of services hours conducted by non-ABA providers (e.g. speech, OT, PT) • Parent/Caretakers’ goals for their child • Number of service hours that will maximize the child’s treatment outcomes while maintaining a high quality of life for the child and family (e.g. balance)
Research supports that children affected by ASD have the best outcomes when services are greater than 20 hours per week. However, rather than focus solely on the quantity , Butterfly Effects focuses on the quality of the service. We believe the weekly number of treatment hours should be individualized per family.
12 Family Handbook
Family Handbook 13
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