ABA Therapy
Overview
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), provides research based interventions to address deficits in communication, academic, social, self-care and vocational skill acquisition. Using positive reinforcement, a range of proven methodologies are utilised to assist with the learning process and to address any behavioural excesses that may interfere with learning. These methodologies include discrete trial teaching, natural environment teaching and task analysis to name a few. Skills are taught across teachers, with parents and across multiple locations to ensure generalisation in the natural environment. At The children’s Medical Centre, all students are enrolled on the ACE® curriculum. Every element of each students program is developed and closely supervised by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA).Find more information about the ACE® Curriculum here: http://www.acenecc.org/
ABA Therapy Intake Assessment
To design an individualized and effective ABA treatment program, it is important for parents/guardians to have an initial consultation with a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). During the consultation, parents/guardians discuss the areas of difficulty their child is facing, their strengths, deficits, and other behavioral challenges. At this meeting, parents provide detailed information about their child, family and share concerns about any other settings they would like to have support (e.g. eating out, school, or any other community outings).
Functional Behaviour Assessment
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is used at TCMC to assess environmental factors that contribute in increasing the learner’s problem behavior. FBA’s are conducted in different settings, depending on the environment where the problem behaviours are occurring. These may include: Nursery, school, home, playground etc. Using FBA is important to develop the most effective behavioral management strategies.
Assessment Tools
In Applied Behavior Analysis, conducting a comprehensive assessment at the initial stages is fundamental in developing a successful therapy plan. A comprehensive assessment helps the therapist understand the skills the child already has in his/her repertoire. At the same time, it highlights the skills the child needs to learn. This facilitates development of appropriate programs and interventions, to teach new and fundamental skills. It also serves as baseline skills when monitoring progress of the child, and efficacy of the intervention plan.
Program Design and Implementation
Program design is unique for each child. Children develop differently, possess different strengths and require different kinds of support to meet their individual needs. It is imperative that the programs must be age appropriate, socially significant to the child, meet their individual needs, and are based on the initial and ongoing assessments.
Parent Training
At TCMC, we believe that Parent involvement in the treatment process is crucial to increase the treatment’s positive outcomes. We ask parents or one of their representatives (caregivers) to collaborate in our parents’ training program. At TCMC, parent training occurs while parents are attending the sessions. During this session, the RBT is conducting the session and explaining to the parents different ABA techniques while using them. Also, parents’ training involves attending different lectures conducted by TCMC, webinars, videos, and posts on social media.
School collaboration
TCMC team views the professional relationship with schools as a partnership in helping meet the educational needs of students. We emphasize a collaborative approach between BCBA and the members of the Individualized Education Program/Plan (IEP) team.
Our Team
Afsheen Sheikh
BCBA
Reymar Lorenze Tomas
ABA Therapist
Jan Juat
ABA Therapist
Belinda Tafadzwa Jeketera
ABA Therapist
