A guide to begin & monitor your child s treatment programs where lives are changed { } CHECKLIST TO MONITOR PROGRESS
About BI MISSION Behavioral Innovations is committed to translating evidence based practices for people with autism within a practical and encouraging learning environment. We are dedicated to transforming the lives of children, their families and their community by providing the highest quality of services. Our vision is to become the #1 trusted resource by delivering the highest quality of services in the most ethically and socially responsible way through eliminating boundaries for individuals with disabilities. OUR CORE VALUES Service Excellence: Maintaining a brand above the rest Empowerment: Building confidence, independence and success Integrity: Commitment to perfection Collaboration: Together, everyone achieves more
BI Services OUR SERVICES EARLY INTERVENTION Early Intervention is the Key to Success! BI s Treatment Facilities are located across the state of Texas. EDUCATION SERVICES Partnering with local school districts & regions is invaluable! BI s team welcomes partnerships & the collaborative model. ADULT SERVICES Support for Adults is essential. BI s staff has the benefit of partnering with agencies throughout the State to provide these services. SPECIALIZED SERVICES Specific help is sometimes needed. We recognize you may only need assistance for a particular need. SPEECH THERAPY Everyone needs a voice to connect them to the world. Our mission is to give every child at BI their voice.
Getting Started
Getting Started Items you will need Questions you may be asked: Parent Concerns Medical Needs Educational Needs Have insurance? Be ready to provide the following pieces of information: Diagnosis Documentation Prescription for Treatment from Physician Insurance Information (Insurance Card) Basic Information: Age, date of onset, history of treatment(s)
What to Expect When Beginning Therapy
What to Expect Though the intake process may look different, depending on your needs and services offered, all providers should provide you with the following information: Insurance Verification by a Provider Representative Description of Services Assessment by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) A Written Treatment Plan & Meeting with the BCBA to Discuss the Proposed Plan
ABA Therapy: ABA Evidence Based Treatment Applied Behavior Analysis is a field of study that focuses on the application of the principles, methods, & procedures of the science of behavior, based on years of research of human development & behavior. ABA studies the interactions between people & the environment to determine the effects the environment has on a person s behavior. In clinical practice, ABA is used to teach new skills, improve performance in already acquired skills & decrease unwanted and challenging behaviors.
ABA Therapy: ABA Evidence Based Treatment Skills that can be addressed in ABA therapy: New skills such as academic skills, independent living skills, social skills, play skills, and communication skills Improve performance in already acquired skills such as faster task completion and more accurate responding Decrease unwanted and challenging behaviors such as aggression, stereotypy, self-injurious behavior, noncompliance, and other socially inappropriate behaviors
Questions To Ask Providers
Questions to Ask Providers When Looking for Evidence Based Treatment ABOUT THE COMPANY What kinds of intervention services do you provide? What is your philosophy and outcome objectives of your intervention? What experience/education/training do the therapists & supervisors have? Will you describe your supervision & staff training structure? ABOUT SERVICES How many hours per week do these services require? Will you describe a typical day or session? Can therapy sessions be observed & will therapists collaborate with other professionals in my child s life?
Questions to Ask Providers When Looking for Evidence Based Treatment ABOUT COMMUNICATION What techniques do you use to manage difficult behaviors? Please describe your program for communication and language development. Do you use a picture communication system, sign language, and other kinds of communication systems or all of these? Are there opportunities for integration with typical and/or higher functioning children? How do you evaluate the child s progress and how often? How do you keep parents informed of the child s progress?
Tips for Parents Be Collaborative Stay Positive Have Open Communication Take opportunities to partner with your teacher/school Be supportive Understand your State laws (e.g. your child can miss school for therapy) Know your rights & responsibilities Your insurance company may ask that you get a diagnosis from a developmental pediatrician as opposed to a school diagnostician Behavioral Innovations believes in supporting you and your child s team. We have supporting documents to provide your school, just ask. www.startaba.com
Monitoring Your Child s Progress
Monitoring Your Child s Progress Ask: Is the outcome of this Intervention a FACT or OPINION? Decisions on type of intervention should be made based on data. Ask: Is there data to support this intervention? Do you see an increasing trend for positive behavior and a decreasing trend for inappropriate behavior. Ask: Is this intervention leading to an increase in desired behaviors? Goals & objectives should be measured & evaluated. Ask: Are there clear goals and objectives that we can measure for this intervention? Most interventions that are evidence based require consistent, strategic & time-consuming participation. Ask: Is this intervention promising miracles?
Monitoring Your Child s Progress TRACK: What is the outcome of this intervention? INTERVENTION STRATEGY: ABA Therapy GOAL: Increase Language TARGET BEHAVIOR: Number of words in child s vocabulary # of words in child's vocabulary 30 25 Look for improvements in behavior over <me! 20 15 10 5 0 5/1/13 6/1/13 7/1/13 8/1/13 9/1/13
Monitoring Your Child s Progress
Monitoring Your Child s Progress Treatment Evaluation is on going; the BCBA may look at the following components to determine if changes in treatment need to be made: Is the behavior too difficult, does it need to be broken down in smaller steps? Is the child missing prerequisite skills? Is the child motivated to participate? Are we using the right prompts? Is the child distracted? Do we have the right materials? Look at trends on the graph; are we making progress? Are we trying the least restrictive/reinforcement procedure first?
Caregiver Checklist Take time for yourself Budget Development and Finances may need to be considered Communication systems with all therapies should be developed Build and maintain rapport with providers Select social opportunities for the family through community organizations Be a member of support groups as necessary (e.g. Autism Speaks, ARC, local parent groups, local & national Facebook support groups) Select chores for all family members Be sure there are activities the sibling is involved in individually and together.
Glossary of Terms ABA: a field of study that focuses on the application of the principles, methods, & procedures of the science of behavior, based on years of research of human development & behavior. Assessment: the systematic collection, review, and use of information about educational programs undertaken for the purpose of improving student learning and development. Evidence Based Treatment: the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. Insurance Verification: Its a process of verifying the patients insurance benefits by calling insurance or through online verification.
Glossary of Terms Intervention: an orchestrated attempt to help individuals cope with specific challenges throughout their lives. Usually, therapeutic intervention is performed by professionals and it is designed to effect change in a way that restores the health of the person. Phase Change Line: A line drawn to coincide with the introduction or withdrawal of an intervention variable. Prescription: The action of prescribing a medicine or treatment. ABA is an accepted form of treatment for individuals with autism, therefore a medical doctor can prescribe ABA treatment.
Contact WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH YOU together we can change lives Call 855.StartABA today ( 855.782.7822 ) info@startaba.com
Early Intervention Services Educational Services Adult Services Specialized Services Speech Therapy Services where lives are changed