We’re talking about Topics in ABA – the Missing ‘A’ in ABA.
What truly sets us apart from most other providers is much simpler than one would expect- that is, a developed team of Behavior Analysts whose sole, full-time responsibility is to ensure clinical programs are designed to the highest quality.
The increased rate of autism diagnosis has led to a concurrent increase in providers claiming to provide efficacious treatment. One way of keeping up with demand has been by creating a model of provision in which applications can be easily replicated from one client to the next.
The model looks something like this: 1) Assessment (typically a behavior analytic assessment such as the VB-MAPP); 2) Language and behavior programming, 3) Application of the program through therapy; and 4) Data collection. What results are a set of rules, and providers develop only the skills necessary to follow those rules? Unfortunately, not much “analysis” is done throughout this process, particularly after data collection. What is lost when services take on these characteristics is the 2nd “A” in ABA, …the most important part of what makes ABA effective in the first place.
Within the community of behavior analysts, we identify these services as “Applied Behavior.” And most providers do not even realize they are doing it.
In our October newsletter, we discussed the movement within our organization toward a more systematic and thorough measurement system. Measurement is the key to effective behavior analysis, as it allows our BCBAs to identify patterns of behavior change or trends and to make decisions about our kid’s learning. Through these data sets and the patterns identified, Consultants and BCBAs learn from their clients, and the analysis and effectiveness of programming grow exponentially.
We are taking this focus on Analysis a step further. Our entire team will receive extensive training in the upcoming year on how to analyze data and behavior as it occurs throughout a session. This includes everyone from the Consultants to the Therapists. We will be trained to analyze clients’ learning, minute by minute, and decide what to do differently to ensure that learning does not have to “sit and wait” for our consultants to see that change is needed. All therapists will receive intense training on their decision-making, and data will show that our therapist’s decisions align with our highest-skilled BCBAs. We look forward to striving to be the BEST!
