ABA is the scientific approach to modifying behavior, improving social interaction and facilitating learning. ABA is based on the concept that behavior is acquired through interactions with the environment, and that changing the events in the environment can positively shape or influence a behavior.

Many children learn naturally from their environment without intervention, but children who have learning, developmental or behavior issues learn less from their environment than their peers might.

They often need a structured environment where they have opportunities to acquire the same fundamental skills that other children may pick up naturally. ABA sets up this type of environment for them – in essence, teaching children how to learn.

ABA is used to develop basic skills like listening and imitating, as well as more complex skills such as reading and having conversations. ABA also decreases behaviors that interfere with learning.

ABA programs have successfully worked for a variety of learners and ages, with and without disabilities, and in a multitude of settings. By the early 1960s, behavior analysts were working with young children with autism, behavior and learning concerns, and related disorders.

ABA therapy at Innovative Behavior Options is individualized for each child. Each program element is customized to the child’s specific skills, needs, interests, preferences, goals and family’s desires. That is why an ABA program for one child will look different than a program for another. The rates of change and acquisition will vary from one child to another, too, as will the overall rate of progress.

Complex skills are often broken down into small steps. Dividing each skill into a series of smaller steps allows the child to learn a skill in stages. The individual steps are then individually taught using prompts, which are gradually eliminated as the steps are mastered. Every time the child achieves the desired result; he or she receives positive reinforcement that keep him or her motivated to continually improve. Upon mastery, the child can then integrate the skill into his or her everyday life. During this process, Innovative Behavior Option’s qualified behavior analysts systematically track and evaluate progress throughout the entire process.

Another core element of ABA therapy is reducing and replacing problem behaviors, such as self-injury or aggression, with other more appropriate behavior. Behavior analysts work with parents and guardians to identify problem behaviors and why they are occurring. Once the motive is determined, the behavior analyst will develop a plan to teach new skills, such as communication, to replace the inappropriate behavior.

ABA therapy is the scientific approach to improving human behavior and has been shown to produce many important, and socially significant, changes. ABA can positively affect communication, academic, social and adaptive skills within numerous populations, ages and skill sets.

The ABA therapy procedures used at Innovative Behavior Options have been thoroughly researched and found to be effective, and they are strongly supported by the scientific community. Thousands of published and peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated the value of this therapy in treating people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning and behavior concerns, and related disorders.

Research supports that some children who participated in early intensive ABA often acquired skills that allowed them to participate in mainstream classrooms with little or no ongoing help. Many children who received ABA improved their quality of life. Furthermore, they learned to function in the community, held jobs later in life, and developed lasting personal relationships. ABA is recommended and supported by the Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among other reputable organizations.

Standard treatment of autism and other developmental disabilities emphasizes using only evidence that are based on scientific methods. ABA is a prime example of this shift, because its procedures have been thoroughly studied and verified. Our objective at Innovative Behavior Options is to help every child meet his or her individual goals and achieve a productive, high quality of life.

In the same way that a medical treatment program should be directed by a qualified medical professional, ABA programs should be designed and supervised by qualified behavior analysts. At Innovative Behavior Options, we have experienced teams of therapists that are supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts.

DTT teaches a skill by breaking it up into simplified, isolated tasks/ steps. By breaking down tasks into short trials and using prompts, DTT increases the overall success rate of learning. DTT uses clear beginnings and ends to each trial with specific instructions and prompts.

The trials are short, permitting several teaching trials and a number of learning opportunities to occur. In addition, using one-to-one teaching allows for individualized programming.

VB training uses a structured and one-on-one type of teaching format. This training works to teach language to children by creating and developing connections between a word and its meaning. The following are a list of VB terms that are typically implemented:

Echoics occur when a speaker says something aloud and the listener repeats exactly what was said. For example, the therapist says, “Ball pit” and the child will repeat the same phrase, “Ball pit”.

Mands can be thought of as commands or demands, in which a person is commanding or demanding something. A mand typically results in the speaker obtaining the item that was spoken. For example, a child asking for a drink of water when he/she is thirsty and then receiving the drink.

Tacts can be thought of as labeling an object. When a child sees a dog and then verbally says the word “Dog”, he/she is emitting a tact.

Intraverbals are similar to a conversation: A question is first asked and then an answer is provided. For example, a therapist asks, “How are you?” and the child responds, “Good!”. Intraverbals can also involve filling in the blank. For example, the therapist says, “Twinkle twinkle little _____” and the child responds with “Star”.

PRT uses the natural environment for teaching opportunities and consequences. PRT focuses on increasing motivation by adding items like having the child make choices/selections, taking turns and providing reinforcement for attempts made.

NET focuses on practicing and teaching skills within the situations that they would naturally happen. In these situations, the therapist uses naturally occurring opportunities to help children learn. The therapist might provide a coloring page but withhold the crayons until the child requests them, giving the child an empty cup and waiting for him/her to request juice, or playing a board game but withholding the dice or spinner until the child requests it are all examples of using NET.