OUR SERVICES

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

Behavior assessments (FBA) are the first step in addressing problem behavior. FBAs rely on a variety of techniques and strategies to identify the purposes of specific behavior and to help select interventions to directly address the problem behavior.
 
The focus when conducting a functional behavioral assessment is on identifying significant, child-specific social, affective, cognitive, and/or environmental factors associated with the occurrence (and non-occurrence) of specific behaviors. This broader perspective offers a better understanding of the function or purpose behind behavior. Behavioral intervention plans based on an understanding of "why" an individual misbehaves are extremely useful in addressing a wide range of problem behaviors.

The FBA will be completed across a number of visits with a BCBA. The BCBA will take data as well as conduct background interviews with caregivers. The FBA will result in a behavior plan to address problem behaviors, as well as goals to teach new behaviors and address areas of need indicated by the results of the FBA.

1:1 ABA Services

1:1 ABA services typically occur on a set schedule several times per week and involve a trained behavior therapist working directly with a child to teach skills. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will write appropriate goals and objectives and oversee the program. Parent coaching is an integral part of our program. We will discuss with the parents or caregiver what types of ABA teaching techniques will be taught. We coach the parents/caregivers on the relevant teaching techniques. We gradually fade out our services until the parent/caregiver is able to affect behavior change with the child on his or her own.

Parent Training

Parent/caregiver training is provided in the home or other relevant natural environment. The behavior specialist will conduct a functional assessment and develop a behavior intervention plan to be taught and implemented by the caregiver with the specialists’ modeling, guidance, and feedback.A series of meetings are conducted between the behavioral therapy specialist and the caregiver of the child to address the target behavior(s).

School Trainings and Consultation

We provide a range of training services to school districts. Trainings focus on best practice strategies to promote skill acquisition in students with autism. We also provide in-school consultation and behavioral services following agreement by the IEP team. ABAcus offers workshops to district personnel that can be tailor-made to the requirements of the school district.