Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA) Therapy

ABA therapy is available to children and adults who have an autism diagnosis and have been referred to Axis for Autism for services.

If your loved one has not been diagnosed with autism, the first step is to schedule an evaluation. Your psychologist will evaluate the results and will advise you on an appropriate course of treatment, which may include ABA therapy.

The process includes:

• Assessment: Your BCBA will perform a functional behavioral assessment to gather information about your loved one’s behavior, including their strengths, skill deficits or behavioral excesses, as well as any environmental factors that may have an influence.

• Goal setting: The therapist will work with you to establish specific goals for the intervention. These goals center around achieving new skills that will foster success at home, within the family, in the classroom and in the community.

• Customized care plan: Next, the BCBA designs a care plan leveraging specific strategies and techniques to meet those goals.

• Therapy begins: One-on-one sessions take place at an ABA center and provide a fun, focused and therapeutic environment that facilitates learning and skill-building. Treatment typically involves breaking down complex behaviors into smaller steps, teaching and reinforcing new skills at each step, and then generalizing those skills to different settings and contexts.

• Ongoing evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation are built right into the program. Your BCBA will share frequent updates on your child’s progress and will make any necessary adjustments to ensure therapy is effective and milestones are being met. Care plans are designed to be adaptable as treatment progresses.

• Parent training and support: Your BCBA will provide ongoing parent training throughout the ABA journey. Not only does this offer an extra layer of support for you, but it’s key to helping children realize the goals set out in the care plan.

• Assent: Therapists continually check for assent from the children and adults with whom they work, assuring their comfort every step of the way.