Applied Behavior Analysis

"ABA is an evidence-based treatment method that has been proven especially effective in teaching individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. ABA is based on B.F. Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning. Behavior-environment interactions are analyzed to determine why individuals engage in certain behaviors and how best to teach them new behaviors. This includes decreasing inappropriate behaviors, such as tantrums and aggression, and increasing appropriate behaviors, such as communication, socialization, and following instructions. ABA programs are data-driven and individualized. ABA is used to increase independence and teach socially important behaviors. Data is taken on all goals so that progress can be monitored and changes to the strategies can be made if needed.
Beyond Your Diagnosis offers two main service steps. Each step is set to provide the best possible service for each family and their child, adolescents, and/or adults. We provide both a direct therapy model and a consultation model based on the specific needs of your child, adolescent, and/or adult.

Direct Therapy

In our direct therapy model, we provide one or more therapists to work directly one-on-one with the individual on skill acquisition and behavior management goals. An assessment will be completed by one of our supervisors to identify the specific needs of the child. Each program is supervised by one of our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA), or Behavioral Specialists. Play therapists and Registered Behavioral Technicians (RBTs) are utilized in this step.
​A parent training component will be provided to each case as this is a crucial part of an ABA program. Parents will gain the essential knowledge needed to help their child generalize acquired skills and behavioral goals.
Consultations

The use of a consultation model generally incorporates both psychotherapeutic and educational elements. Consultative activities range from providing mental health or behavioral consultation to caregivers or another professional about a specific client to providing organizational consultation to a system involved with the client, such as a school. The system usually recognizes that a problem exists and invites the ABA clinician to assess the problem and suggest potential intervention strategies.

However, if the clinician has a client whose problems are adversely impacted because of the way the client is being handled in another system (e.g., school), then the therapist and/or analyst may initiate the offer to consult with individuals in the system. Typically, the clinician does not implement the interventions himself or herself. Instead, the system intervenes in the issue from within, with the information and guidance provided by the play therapist as a consultant.
Our consultation model is provided for parents in a home or community setting or for teachers or school aides in an in-school setting. Each consultation will provide education and the implementation of behavior management strategies based on the principles of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). We demonstrate how to deal with challenging behaviors most effectively in order to decrease the occurrence of these behaviors in the future. Challenging behaviors may include aggression, temper tantrums, self-injury, property destruction, or non-compliance.

Our team will analyze the antecedent and consequence triggers and provide tailored solutions to reduce the motivation behind problematic behaviors, while also helping you teach the client more appropriate ways of expressing their needs. Each set of interventions provided will be modified to each client’s and family’s needs."