First Steps and Introduction
Initial Paperwork/Assessment
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Prior to beginning therapy, you will be provided with a series of documents to review and sign, including: Authorization of services, REQUIRED formal diagnosis of Autism Spectrum or related disorders, insurance verification, comprehensive medical history, and consent/HIPAA forms (to ensure your right to privacy during services).
Additionally, A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) will conduct a formal assessment with your child. This evaluation is done in order to get to know your family and your child’s priorities for services, strengths, and deficits, and provide the baseline for comprehensive treatment. Assessments are conducted regularly throughout supervisions and at the beginning and end of each authorization (6-month period).
Beginning of ABA services
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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic approach based on the science of behavior and learning processes. We do this by targeting the environmental factors that are impeding a child’s development. ABA can help a child overcome barriers, learn functional skills, and reduce challenging behaviors.
At Little Tusks ABA, you will be able to see, engage with, and collaborate with your child’s personalized approach to treatment. Each goal is developed to match your children’s particular needs, using both consent and assent (voluntary, active vocal or non-vocal agreement of a child). While programs can be similar, each will be individualized and provided in a 1:1 format so that your child receives the dedicated support they deserve.
We currently provide In-home or community services (such as in a daycare). At Little Tusks ABA, we believe that working within the home/community environments will allow us 3 things: The ability to affect the natural environments (where your child will spend most of their time), to identify possible barriers to learning/behavior (to positively impact growth), and to promote independence in all aspects of life (including: communication, adaptive living skills (such as toileting), and receptive skills (e.g. safety directions).
Supervision/Chain of Staff
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Supervision:
Each child’s team is led by a BCBA, who is responsible for supervising and directing every aspect of treatment (while consulting with family to ensure approval and continuation of growth), while also engaging in many forms of indirect support as well. BCBA’s conduct assessments, create the treatment plan, routinely analyze data, and make necessary treatment modifications to ensure that your child is always making progress towards their independence.
Chain of Staff: All staff members coordinate with each other; however, there is a chain of responsibility.
Clinical Director: will oversee all BCBAs and their treatment plans to ensure quality of care and recommend necessary changes.
BCBA’s will create treatment plans and make necessary changes, provide 1:1 services as needed, and provide ongoing family guidance.
RBT’s (who will be providing direct 1:1), will engage your child in the programs being run to create the growth and independence your family wants to see!
Family Training and Collaboration
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Learning happens in all environments but always begins at home. This is why we commit ourselves to enriching the lives of the children we serve. Our BCBAs understand that family involvement is vital to the success of ABA therapy and with your support, we can create a significant impact to your child’s learning history and behavior in all aspects of their lives.