If you’re new to ABA Therapy, you’re probably wondering what to expect during the process. Don’t worry, in this article we’ll explain the ins and outs of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy at ABA-LLC.
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) uses data-verified science to help individuals learn new skills, reduce challenging behaviors, and work toward their goals. Therapists work to help identify what behaviors might be holding a person back, what skills they need help developing, and how their environment shapes their behavior. While ABA is most commonly associated with children on the Autism spectrum, ABA therapy is effective in a variety of contexts.
Here at ABA-LLC, we’ve served hundreds of clients throughout the Bluegrass state of Kentucky and beyond. In this article, we will walk you through each step of the ABA process from intake to intervention. That way, both client and caregiver know what to expect throughout your time receiving ABA Therapy services from our agency. However, it’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all ABA. No two clients receive the same ABA therapy. The care each individual needs is as unique as they are! Our therapy takes the clients’ needs, the caregiver’s schedule, and the clinician’s expertise into account to create the best ABA therapy for every individual person.
Our founder, Chris George, believes that behavior analysis has the greatest success with a person-centered approach: “This starts with the guiding belief that every individual is unique, perfect, and competent. Through observation and interviews, the BCBA seeks to identify the individual’s strengths, skills, interests, and life goals. On the flip side of that coin, the BCBA will identify skill deficits and socially inappropriate behaviors that hinder their success. Using all of the collected information, the clinician develops a plan to strengthen their current skills and help teach new skills including functional equivalent replacement behaviors through positive reinforcement. Respect, acceptance, and encouragement ensure that every individual’s plan is as unique as they are! As one of the fathers of behavior analysis, BF Skinner, said “I’m not trying to change people. All I want is to change the world in which they live.”
ABA Therapy Intake
When you are first connected to ABA-LLC, a Case Worker will send the caregiver an intake packet for completion. As part of this packet, we will get a sense of your family’s schedule. The sooner both the caregiver and client are available, the sooner services can begin. Once you complete your intake form, you will send the packet to a clinician who will contact you with the information to begin the Assessment period. Typically, this clinician will be either a LBA (Licensed Behavior Analyst), TLBA (Temporary Licensed Behavior Analyst), or a lead RBT (registered Behavior Technician).
ABA Therapy Assessment
The assessment will occur across three sessions; one per day. Depending on caregiver ability, these three sessions may occur across two to three weeks. These assessments can occur in almost any environment, such as the family home, but most often occur in one of our clinic spaces.
Each individual session lasts between one and a half to two hours long. We will start out with an interview with the caregiver where we go over prior records including developmental milestones, medical history, challenging behaviors, and skill deficits. The caregiver may prefer to not have their child present during the caregiver interview. We encourage you to make whatever choice you feel will allow you to communicate most freely.
Through the form of an interview, the caregiver and the clinician complete a developmental assessment.
We will also complete Direct Observations with the client. The clinician leads the client in working through a curriculum, during which the therapist will complete a functional assessment of challenging behaviors.
Following the assessment, your clinician will take a period of two weeks to write their Comprehensive Assessment. This document will include all of the data they collected during the assessment period, either from speaking with the caregiver or observing the behavior in the child directly. ABA-LLC mails a copy of this report to the caregiver. The clinician will also begin work on creating programming that specifically addresses concerns as outlined in the Comprehensive Assessment. The clinician will contact the caregiver to update them on the recommendations and make a plan for moving forward.
Three Levels of ABA Therapy Service
At ABA-LLC, there are three levels of service:
Comprehensive ABA Treatment
We recommend our comprehensive treatment model when the goal is to close the gap between the participant’s overall level of functioning and that of neurotypically developing peers. This model addresses skills across all areas of development including language, play, social interaction, joint attention, imitation, motor skills, self-care, and behavior. Teaching occurs through a combination of structured and play-based teaching opportunities. We also use functional behavior assessment and communication training to address behavioral challenges. These intensive programs tend to range from 25-40 hours of direct therapy provided by a registered behavior technician (RBT) plus supervision per week.
Focused ABA Treatment
We recommend our focused treatment model when there are a limited number of treatment areas. Generally, this model addresses functional skills in the areas of health and safety, self-care, independent leisure, and socialization. In addition, the program will focus on reducing dangerous or undesired behavior while increasing functionally equivalent alternative behaviors. These programs tend to range from 10-25 hours of direct therapy (provided by a RBT) plus supervision per week.
Caregiver ABA Training
Though all levels of service have a caregiver training component, in some cases, it is our primary recommendation. This level of service is for recommendations of six hours or less per week. We recommend our caregiver training model as we transition from focused treatment to parent-directed support. In addition, this model may be recommended as a booster to a previous receipt of behavioral services. Caregiver training is a great option for those who are not ready or available for more intensive treatment.Intervention
Based on the availability provided during the assessment period, a scheduler, parent trainer, or clinician will contact caregivers to initiate services.
Time and Supervision Expectations
All sessions lead by RBTs are usually two hours long, and may not be longer than six hours per session.
Parent Training Sessions range from 30 minutes to one hour.
Social Skills Group sessions will also only last an hour.
We schedule our sessions in a consistent manner across the week. If the clinician recommends 15 hours of service a week, ideally, we break these sessions up equally across five days. We find that this consistency serves both our clinicians and our clients.
During services, an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) will work directly with clients on their target skills. Either a Temporary Licensed Behavior Analyst (TLBA) or a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) supervise RBTs. Following a plan designed by their supervisor, the RBT will help the client build new skills and decrease challenging behaviors. RBTs collect data at every session, and report changes, concerns, and progress to their clinical supervisors.
Additionally, the clinician supervises the RBT for between 5% and 20% of the direct intervention hours they provide service for. The supervisor monitors the process throughout, and may make modifications to a client’s service plan as well as providing training and feedback to the RBT.
While LBAs and TLBAs are your biggest advocates, they are not expected to provide immediate on-site crisis assistance. However, they are expected to respond to all voicemails/email within 24 business hours.
ABA Therapy Progress Notes
Throughout services, clinicians complete detailed progress notes electronically. Clinicians file these reports with their billing summary every two weeks. You have the right to see any notes, summaries, or other official documents pertaining to your loved ones.
About ABA-LLC
ABA-LLC is one of the largest suppliers of Behavior Support in the State of Kentucky. Since 2007, our agency has committed to its mission of providing innovative strategies to improve the lives of unique individuals. Our agency is composed of around 150 contractors, each dedicated to building an inclusive culture that celebrates individuals of all abilities. No matter who you are, you can reach your goals at ABA-LLC.
Our agency provides services throughout the Bluegrass state and beyond. We have clinical spaces in Somerset, Lexington, Louisville, McCreary County, and London. Additionally, many of our clinicians travel extensively to provide services. In recent years, a few of our clinicians have extended our services into Georgia! In everything we do, ABA-LLC is set apart from our competitors by our uniquely person-centered approach. We truly love the population we serve. We wholeheartedly believe in every individual’s right to live a fulfilling and independent life integrated within their communities. Our work is not motivated not by the desire to change a person but rather to give them the tools and supports they need to succeed. This vision is summarized in the B.F. Skinner quote: “I’m not trying to change people. All I want is to change the world in which they live.”