ABA therapy is a data-driven and evidence-based approach that involves breaking down skills into smaller, manageable steps. Our skilled therapists use various techniques, such as positive reinforcement, prompting, and shaping, to teach new skills and behaviors. Data is continuously collected and analyzed to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.

ABA therapy programs can cover a variety of areas a child needs to be successful. For the younger children we primarily work with, we follow a developmental sequence to begin to target functional communication, reciprocal social interaction, joint attention and imitation. A big goal of ours is to teach your child these necessary prerequisite skills so that they are learning how to learn. We also may target additional language skills, cognitive skills, social skills, self-help (e.g. toileting, feeding, etc.), motor skills, and play/leisure skills. For children who are exhibiting unsafe or otherwise challenging behaviors, we often see a decrease once some of the above skills are in place. Other times we also add in additional behavior skills such as tolerating denials, relinquishing items, transitioning, and cooperating during essential non-preferred activities such as tooth-brushing, riding in the car, shopping, etc.

A responsible and ethical ABA program is centered around collaboration, respect for individual preferences, and not only consent, but ongoing assent from the child. A child showing signs of withdrawing assent to participate in therapy should be honored. It's important to note that any responsible ABA provider adheres to ethical guidelines and prioritizes the well-being and dignity of the child. If you have concerns or questions about ABA therapy, it's advisable to have open and transparent communication with the therapy provider to ensure that the program aligns with your child's needs and your family's values.

The majority of our early learners begin with 15-20 hours per week. However, on occasion we have learners who benefit from up to 30 per week or as few as 10. Service intensity is determined based on multiple factors such as age, development level, severity of behaviors and family goals. Every treatment plan and intensity recommendation is determined after the board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) conducts the initial assessment and creates an individualized treatment plan for the child.

Like any therapeutic approach, the implementation of ABA can vary greatly. Ethical ABA programs prioritize the well-being and dignity of the individual and use evidence-based, humane techniques. It's important to distinguish between responsible ABA practices and those that may cause harm. A helpful neuro-diversity affirming handout from the UW Autism Center on finding the right ABA services can be a helpful resource to explore this topic further.

Being a small, home-base company our waitlist times can vary widely from no wait to 1 year or longer. When we get an opening we pull from the list with the most consideration given to the geographic location of families so as to not exceed maximum drive times for our clinicians.