Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on making changes to the environment in order to promote learning and skill growth.
Our Approach
Cortica’s ABA program uses a naturalistic approach that’s built around positive, caring relationships.
About ABA
ABA at Cortica beings with a comprehensive, individualized ABA assessment that takes place through a series of telehealth visits.
An in-person observation may also be conducted during the assessment, if felt to be necessary by the evaluating clinician.
The assessment results determine the service elements and goals of your child’s program.
Your program may start with caregiver-coaching sessions or go straight into direct ABA therapy with your child.
Goals of ABA
Goals vary based on each child but can include:
• Functional communication
• Social skills
• Play and leisure
• Self-care
• Safety
• Decreasing challenging behaviors while increasing the use of appropriate replacement skills
ABA Roadmap
1
ABA Assessment
The ABA assessment is conducted by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and includes several separate meetings that take place over a period of about two weeks.
2
Personalized Plan
Assessment results will be documented in a report and reviewed with you by the BCBA supervising your child’s ABA program.
4
Tracking Progress
Every six months, you’ll be asked to complete a set of questionnaires as part of your child’s reassessment to help track their progress and set new goals.
Starting ABA Services
Services usually begin with parent coaching sessions and then expand to include one-to-one sessions between a therapist and your child.
3
5
Fading ABA Services
With your active support and participation in sessions, your child’s abilities will grow and the frequency of services will reduce.
6
Graduation
The path to graduation usually happens gradually, and many families benefit from continuing parent coaching after their child’s ABA sessions have ended.
Getting to know your Team ABA Therapists
Services
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
• Supervisor for your child’s ABA program and your team of ABA therapists
• Has a master’s degree as well as BCBA certification
Assistant Supervisor
• Supports your child’s BCBA in supervising the therapy team and provides parent coaching
• Has a master’s degree and may be working toward their BCBA certification
Behavior Interventionist (BI)
• Conducts one-to-one therapy sessions
• Most BIs at Cortica have, or are working towards, additional training and certification as registered behavior technicians (RBTs) or board certified autism technicians (BCATs)
• Working with more than one BI helps children generalize their skills across different therapists
One-to-One
Therapy provided by one therapist to one child.
Group Programs
Opportunities to build your child’s social skills in a group setting.
Caregiver Coaching
Opportunities to learn how you can support your child's development and behavior.
Group Caregiver Coaching
Sessions to learn from our BCBAs in a group setting with other caregivers.
Cortica’s ABA program serves clients up to age 17. For client’s approaching their 18th birthday, our ABA team will support transition to adult services in the community.
