Our Approach to ABA
Effective Treatment Options for School
Many school districts are in need of immediate behavior support services from professionals to help students with mental, emotional, and behavioral needs. Our research-based ABA methods enable us to help students achieve independence in school and cope with challenging behaviors. Depending on individual’s needs, both insurance-funded and school-funded ABA services can be provided in school.
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)
The BCBA provides comprehensive behavioral assessment and consultation services for students with severe or persistent behavioral challenges, Once a student has been referred, the behavior analyst conducts a functional behavior assessment (FBA) to assist in understanding the relationship between the student’s behavior and the purpose of the behavior in relationship to environmental factors. Next, a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is designed to outline specific prevention and response strategies for the identified behavior. The behavior analyst will ensure that that all elements of the BIP are humane, respectful, and cause the least amount of disruption to the school structure as possible. Data are collected throughout the consultation process and programmatic changes are made as necessary to ensure continuous progress.
For a more effective ABA treatment program, our BCBAs actively coordinate with the school staff members to meet their student’s individual goals. This collaboration opens an opportunity for us and the school personnel to share important information regarding the progress of the student in regards to the behavior intervention program.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
Understanding why a child behaves the way they do is the first step to developing strategies to prevent the behavior. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools are required by law to use functional behavior assessments when dealing with challenging behavior in students with special needs.
Our Functional Behavior Assessment is done by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). It then becomes the basis for a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Which is designed specifically for the student to counteract a particularly challenging behavior.
The process typically involves documenting the antecedent (what comes before the behavior), the behavior, and the consequence (what happens after the behavior) over a number of days. This is done by direct observation in various school settings and interviewing teachers, parents, and others who work with the student. The FBA also evaluates how a child’s disability may affect their behavior. Further, it may involve manipulating the environment to see if a way can be found to avoid the behavior.
The BCBA may then train the student’s current staff on the implementation and oversight of the BIP and recommend that a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or a Behavior Health Technician (BHT) be utilized to work 1:1 with the learner to implement the BIP.
Behavioral Technicians (BHT)
Quit often, teachers and paras do not generally receive comprehensive training in the area of behavior. The role of the Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) in the school setting is to provide direct care to students in a one-on-one or group therapy setting to implement skill acquisition and behavior reductions treatments as directed by their BCBA Supervisor. The BHT will collect and record data on the student’s behavior and collaborate, communicate, and assist with the training of students and staff. Having a BHT in the school will increase quality, competency, and consistency of delivery of ABA across the school setting while reducing the costs of outside district supports.