Autism “ABA” program is a division of
SFCC, directed by Dr. Berman,
Ph.D. The program offers a state of the art 1:1 early intervention day
program starting at 18 months of age. SFCC programs also offer “ABA”
Social Skills starting at 4 years of age. Our Custom “ABA” Programs are
designed to support the individualized needs of our clients. The
instructional procedures implemented may include: Natural Environment
Teaching, Functional Routine, Pivotal Response Training, Video
modeling/prompting, Discrete trial instructions, and Verbal behavior
approach to language. In addition to this, we provide group and
individual parent training. This evidence based program is an effective
way to improve the life of children and their families with Autism.
Stepping Forward Counseling Center relies primarily on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as our instructional method of choice.
Over the years, ABA programs for children with autism have changed. Originally focused on speech acquisition, cognitive development and behavior problems, ABA programs now incorporate concern for quality of relationship, social skills, leisure skills and other dimensions of the child’s life. While aversive or punishing methods were more commonly used years ago, there are very few ABA programs that still use such methods today.
Our work at SFCC has also changed over the years. As we sought the best and clearest methods available for helping children recover from autism, our focus has enlarged from a predominantly play-based approach to incorporate ABA principles and methods. In practice this means:Our methods are grounded in well-researched behavior principles. We assess each child’s skills and create individualized education plans. When appropriate, we use ABA methods, including discrete trial teaching fluency training, precision teaching, natural environment training, errorless learning supported inclusion and the best of what ABA has to offer in helping children grow and learn. ). We train parents and others working with the child in these teaching methods. We use data gathering methods and recording methods to determine that the child is growing and learning and we do not rely on an intuitive feeling that progress is being made.
There is variation among ABA programs. SFCC varies from many ABA programs the following ways:We encourage parents to create a special play/instruction room in the house that is free from distractions and is an optimal environment for teaching and interacting. Core lessons are taught first in the playroom, and then “generalized” to other environments. Parents are trained in all aspects of program and can take a directorial role. We advise, instruct and encourage and parents make the program decisions. We alternate instruction times with intensive interaction (sometimes called joining or following) times. Instruction times often include discrete trial teaching at a table. During these times, the adult directs the child. During intensive interaction times, the child has the lead. In this way, the children learn to be both cooperative and self-assertive. The child needs to understand clearly whether it is an intensive interaction time, or an instruction time. We teach parents to make this very clear so that there is no confusion. SFCC focuses more than usual on helping parents, teachers and program staff to be as reinforcing (rewarding, fun, exciting) as possible so that the child experiences people in their lives as “oh so fun!” While many ABA programs recognize that the attitude of parents and teachers is important, SFCC emphasizes this, including training for parents and teachers (as necessary) to develop optimum attitudes toward set backs, problem behaviors, etc.
"Some kids with autism can recover, study suggests" By Lindsey Tanner, Associated Press. For an article that has helpful autism facts and discusses a study that sugests that some kids with austism can recover, click here.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some pictures of ABA's Trip to Respira Salt in Berkley Heights!
