Frequently Asked Questions

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence based practice that is focused on the science of behavior. Behavior analysis looks at how behaviors are affected by the environment and uses that information to figure out how learning takes place. ABA therapy is "applied" because it studies the environment where the individual lives, plays, works, or goes to school. By looking at these real life situations, we can figure out what behaviors are working and what behaviors are not working for the individual. We can increase the behaviors that are helpful and work to decrease the ones that are harmful or that are inhibiting skill growth.

ABA therapy focuses on increasing language and communication skills. By increasing language and communication, negative behaviors that served to communicate decrease.

Therapists have been using ABA since the 1960s to help children and adults learn new skills. The field is ever growing and changing as the wealth of research grows to support the effectiveness of the intervention.

What can I expect the intake process to look like?

When services are initiated for your family member, a BCBA will meet with you to do an initial assessment of your child's skills and abilities using an evidence based assessment. He or she will meet with you to determine what your priorities are for treatment and work with you to set the goals and objectives for your child. A clinical recommendation will be made for how many hours per week are suggested for your child's individual program goals. If Insurance approval is needed, the BCBA will follow the necessary steps to submit for authorization. Staff will be assigned to your child and therapy will begin in the location chosen to best meet the goals and objectives. This process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to a month depending on the speed of insurance approval.

1. Prior Authorization for Assessment

2. Assessment of skills by BCBA (4-8 hours)

3. Plan of Care and recommended number of service hours is provided to the family for approval

4. Staff assigned to case

5.Therapy Begins

What does a session look like?

Therapy sessions take on many forms, depending on the age and skill set of the learner. Early learners spend most of their time in play one on one with a therapist. More advanced learners may spend their sessions in social groups to work on more advanced conversational skills. No two programs are the same, but each program will focus on the motivators of the child and his or her individual goals. Positive reinforcement is the main strategy used to increase behaviors. The goal is for your child to enjoy their time in session.

Will my child enjoy their Sessions?

Many concerned parents ask if ABA sessions are meant to "normalize" autistic behaviors. Our goal is to help a child reach his or her potential through teaching skills that help the child access their needs. We teach functional skills that are meaningful to the child's life. Individual plans are made for each client. Behaviors that inhibit the child from getting their needs met or are a concern for safety are replaced with functional behaviors that serve to provide access to the reinforcement desired. We use the client's motivation to guide our process and sessions should be enjoyable. Reinforcer inventories are regularly assessed so that clients are maintaining success and contacting reinforcement through errorless learning.

What if my child is aggressive or refuses to participate?

We begin programs with children at all stages of their development. Some children are initially resistant to therapy because they have a learning history that adults place demands on them and expect that their response effort will be high in session. We work to fade in demands slowly and build rapport with all children. If the therapist is not paired with reinforcement, seen as a positive addition to the child's environment, then progress is not likely to be made. Expect that some time will be spent in the first several sessions, and throughout therapy, with the therapist getting to know the child and gaining their trust.

We expect that children will engage in maladaptive behavior and will have specific plans in place, based on a functional analysis, to respond to those behaviors. Do not avoid starting therapy because your child may engage in problem behavior. Our job is to increase functional skills and decrease problem behavior. If your child is engaging in behaviors that are in need of a referral to a higher level of care or skillset, we will work with you to gain the appropriate service professionals.

Where will services take place?

Services can take place in the community, school, or one of our clinic locations. We are not currently providing in home services.

3001 Academy Road, Suite 200, Durham NC 27707