What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is considered by many to be the gold standard intervention for teaching individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through its data driven, evidence-based methodology, ABA has been shown to encourage positive behavior change, skill development, and greater independence for a wide variety of learners. ABA is a science and each child’s program should be designed around their unique learning profile. While ABA may be accessed as an intervention by trained professionals through a child’s individualized education plan (IEP), or through your family’s insurance plan, the foundations of this therapeutic approach can be used by YOU, right at home.
How to Set Up ABA Services
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- Autism Insurance Guide: ABA and CBHI Services Through Your Insurance
- MassHealth CommonHealth Coverage: A Guide to Getting Secondary Insurance
Everyday ABA: Practical Strategies for You and Your Child
In partnership with New England ABA, the Autism Program at BMC developed a free 6-part parent training series, focused on helping parents and caregivers learn about behavior, how to change behavior, and ways to promote skills in their children. Click below to access these training videos and supplemental materials.
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Everyday ABA Session 1: What is ABA anyway?
In this session, Tim Sullivan (M.Ed., BCBA, LABA; Executive Director, NE ABA) will describe the background on Applied Behavior Analysis and how it can be used to support behavior management, promote communication, facilitate play and independence skills, and help you connect with your child.
Everyday ABA Session 2: Promoting Lasting Behavior Change
This session will focus on teaching the basics of behavior, figuring out why certain behaviors occur and how to teach your child alternative behaviors.
Everyday ABA Session 3: Teaching Communication
This session will focus on how individuals use language to communicate thoughts and needs. Tim will discuss strategies to help encourage communication and the use of verbal speech with your child.
Everyday ABA Session 4: Creating a Reinforcement System
This session will discuss how to identify reinforcers that will work with for child, and how to implement them at the right time to promote new skills.
Everyday ABA Session 5: Building Home Routines
In this session, Tim will discuss how to implement daily routines and promote independent skills by breaking them down into small steps.
Everyday ABA Session 6: Community-based Strategies
In the sixth and final session, Tim will tie all of the concepts together, and discuss how to continue working on target behaviors and skills while in the community.
Additional Resources
For more information about accessing ABA through your insurance, explore the following resources from the BMC Autism Program:
About the Class
Partners
New England ABA is a leading provider of home and community-based ABA therapy in Massachusetts. Our mission is to change lives, one family at a time through evidence based, individualized treatment. We also offer ABA consultations to businesses and non-profit organizations and free community outreach presentations.
The Autism Program at Boston Medical Center assists and empowers individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disabilities through direct patient support, provider education, and community-based outreach. We strive to meet the needs of the community in Boston and its surrounding areas in a culturally competent manner by offering high quality and comprehensive care to all.
About the Instructor
Tim Sullivan has been working with children and adolescents with ASD and other unique abilities for over fifteen years in a variety of settings. He is currently the Co-Founder and Clinical Director at New England ABA and is both a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (LABA) in the state of Massachusetts. Prior to this experience, Tim was the Clinical Director at Behavioral Health Works and has also served as a certified Special Educator in both public and private school settings. Tim has a passion for translating the research-proven fundamentals of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) so they can be used by parents and other caregivers to help their loved ones reach their maximum potential.
Parent Reviews
“Through this class I learned how simple strategies could have a big impact on my child’s life; I liked the model we learned-Cue, Routine, Reward”
“In each class I thought critically and creatively about my real life situations. I learned how to teach or change behaviors through using rewards”
“Through applying these strategies my son is doing a much better job at staying with me when we are out in the community. I don’t have to worry as much when we’re going to cross the street”
“I’ve gotten my child to sit on the potty now…before he would just run away”