There is a series of steps that the Behavior Analyst takes when providing ABA services to children.

Step 1:

Meet with the Family

The Behavior Analyst will meet with the family to discuss behavioral concerns or skill deficits their child may have.  The Behavior Analyst will have the opportunity to meet the child and begin to build rapport.

Step 2:

Complete Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is conducted to identify the factors that contribute to your child’s challenging behaviors. It consists of collecting very thorough data, identifying which behaviors occur, the circumstances that immediately precede the behavior, and what occurs as a result of the behavior. By determining the function, or purpose, of these behaviors, we can develop individualized interventions and teach appropriate replacement behaviors that effectively meet your child’s needs.

Functional Communication Skills

Communication is essential for expressing our needs, wants, and emotions. Throughout the day, we rely on communication in countless ways to interact with others and navigate daily life. When a child experiences difficulties communicating, they may struggle to have their needs understood, which can lead to frustration and challenging behaviors.

Many children with limited verbal communication, as well as some neurodivergent children who are verbally expressive, may have difficulty expressing their thoughts, feelings, or needs effectively. My goal is to help children develop functional communication skills that enable them to express themselves more successfully across a variety of settings. As these communication skills improve, children often experience greater independence, reduced frustration, and a corresponding decrease in challenging behaviors.

Communication Systems

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System): Depending on your child’s current skill level, the Behavior Analyst may recommend and teach the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) as a way to communicate wants and needs. Through PECS, children learn to request preferred items, activities, and other meaningful outcomes using pictures. As communication skills develop, some families choose to transition to speech-generating communication software that can be installed on an iPad or tablet, allowing the child to communicate more easily at home and in the community.

Step 3:

Complete Skill Assessments

An assessment will be completed for your child to evaluate their skill level and determine which goals are most appropriate for them to work toward mastering.  Frequently used assessment tools are the  ABLLS, VBMAPP, AFLS, and the Essentials for Living. These tools often guide the Behavior Analyst to select goals from the following categories:

Language Deficiencies, Learning Deficiencies, Self-Help, and Motor Skills

Adaptive Living Skills

Behavioral Skills/ Replacement Behaviors Social Skills