ABA Therapy
What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis involves the use of principles and reliable data collection to shape behavior and language acquisition. Therapy begins by assessing your child’s skill levels and developing individualized interventions based on their strengths and needs. The results of these various assessments help determine what skills need to be taught.
We teach children new skills in small steps, providing prompts (guided assistance) as needed and reinforcing their attempts at learning. ABA therapy helps children maintain skills they have already acquired, as well as generalize their skills to new environments; such as taking skills learned in the clinic to home and community settings.
Things we work on:
- Language and communication skills - making it easier and more reinforcing for the child to use language instead of other problem behaviors such as screaming
- Attention - attending to activities or instruction, increased instructional time
- Social skills - engaging and cooperating with peers, self-advocacy, how to react in various situations (being bullied or when asked to join in a game with other friends)
- Self-care and independent living skills - This can include morning and night time routines to become more independent with daily living skills.It can also include teaching older children more home and community skills such as chores, making a grocery list, and reading instructions and recipes.
- Decreasing problem behaviors - We will provide reinforcement for alternative behaviors that will in turn reduce the problem behaviors because they will no longer receive reinforcement.
How It Works
After appropriate assessments have been conducted, your child’s BCBA will discuss the results with you and recommend the best approach for services. As a parent/guardian, you will have a role in jointly deciding on the best service option. This role will also continue as treatment progresses and new goals need to be created. Keep in mind, minimum session lengths are three hours long.
Who will work with my child?
Currently, our team is made up of two Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Your child will be assigned to one team member after intake.
BCBAs have extensive training and experience in assessing, developing, and implementing a wide range of ABA programs for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Your Board Certified clinician, who is the Program Supervisor, will be responsible for developing the treatment plan, providing staff training, and parent training.
What this means for you and your child?
After appropriate assessments have been conducted, your child’s BCBA will discuss the results with you and recommend the best approach for services. As a parent/guardian, you will have a role in jointly deciding on the best service option. This role will also continue as treatment progresses and new goals need to be created. Keep in mind, minimum session lengths are three hours long.
What we need to schedule an evaluation
Psychological Evaluation
Letter of Medical Necessity
List of Medicines
IEP/IFSP (if applicable)
We thank you again for choosing Shining Star Therapy Services and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns to your child’s BCBA. We are excited to begin working with you and your child!
