ABA Services

• ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is a type of therapy that focuses on improving specific behaviors, such as social skills, communication, hygiene, grooming, etc. ABA is effective for children and adults in a variety of settings, including schools, workplaces, homes, and clinics.

• Our treatment team assesses what motivates each client, prioritizes their needs across several categories (e.g., communication, problem behavior, social behaviors, safety, etc.), plans how to teach skills in a way that the client understands and then teaches those skills over and over, in frequent sessions designed to be enjoyable for them.

• It’s applied because it’s meant to be significantly helpful to someone in everyday life. It’s not just something found in a laboratory that may or may not be put to use.

• It focuses on behavior, which means it targets observable, measurable actions. It doesn’t deny the importance of our feelings or memories or thoughts, it simply says that we can’t reliably measure things we can’t see, so they’re not good targets.

• The term analysis refers to the notion that behavior can be understood when the interaction between the environment and the person is understood. By understanding what leads to a particular behavior and what keeps that behavior going, ABA therapists are able to teach new skills and decrease those behaviors that are getting in the way of success.

• It’s real-world. Success is based on actual experience, not on beliefs or impressions. If objective measurements show something is not working, the intervention is changed until the desired results are clearly demonstrated.

• Spectrum Transformation Group relies heavily on Natural Environment Teaching which uses the child’s interests and natural motivation to help them learn.

• It’s a well-regulated profession. We are certified via the Behavior Analysis Certification Board, which requires education, training, supervision, and testing for each of several levels of certification. Virginia also requires behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts to be licensed through the Virginia Board of Medicine. At present, Spectrum employs BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts), BCaBAs (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts) and RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians, who serve as Behavior Counselors).

• RBTs implement the treatment plan by conducting sessions with your child, at the center and/or at your home, which typically last a couple of hours and occur several times per week. They develop materials and activities to set up teaching opportunities and take data throughout their sessions.

• Behavior Analysts supervise the RBTs. They are responsible for conducting assessments, analyzing data, creating and modifying treatment plans, and training and guiding RBTs.

• ABA isn’t a cookie cutter approach. Although our clients have some things in common, each individual, family, and environment is unique, so each treatment plan is individualized.

• ABA is not another fad. ABA therapy is endorsed by the US Surgeon General as one of the most effective treatments of Autism Spectrum Disorder. And a standard of any ABA intervention is that we should be able to demonstrate its effectiveness to you.

• ABA is not just for autism. ABA principles are used in education, business, public health, economics, substance abuse, ecology, and many other areas.

• ABA is not the same as behavior modification. Behavior modification (“b-mod”) refers to the outdated practice popular in the 1960s and 70s that used interventions without necessarily doing behavior assessments first. ABA heavily emphasizes the need for understanding the reason for the behavior before trying to change it.

Individualized assessment using a variety of empirically-supported tools and programs to identify the child’s strengths and areas of need

Individualized treatment plan with goals that are important to your family, promote growth in the child, and reduce problem behaviors

Comprehensive treatment provided in the home, community and/or in our Learning and Development Center

Coordination and collaboration with the child’s school and other service providers

Direct collaboration with the interdisciplinary team at Spectrum including psychology and speech

A heavy emphasis on teaching parents/caregivers how to teach their children so that skills are maintained well after graduation from our program.

Regular meetings with parents, caregivers, and other service providers to review goals and progress

Educational advocacy and consultative supports to enhance a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), as needed

The Behavior Analyst is responsible for overseeing treatment and coordinating team members. The BCBA ensures that treatment approaches make sense for the individual and the family both in effectiveness and in helping the individual reach their full potential. They develop the initial treatment plan and directly supervise the delivery of ABA therapy.  Behavior Analysts have earned their BCBA® certification and maintain an LBA license issued by the Virginia Board of Medicine.

The Assistant Behavior Analyst is responsible for working with clients and families by assisting the Behavior Analyst in conducting evaluations and creating individualized treatment plans.  The Assistant Behavior Analyst works directly with the client, provides training to the family and assists in the supervision of the Behavior Counselor.  Assistant Behavior Analysts have earned their BCaBA® certification and maintain a LABA license issued by the Virginia Board of Medicine.

The Behavior Counselor is responsible for working directly with the client under the supervision of the Behavior Analyst and Assistant Behavior Analyst. Behavior Counselors gather data necessary for evaluating the effectiveness of the individualized treatment plan as well as to track client progress. Behavior Counselors at Spectrum Transformation Group have earned or are actively working to earn their Registered Behavior Technician (RBT®) certification.

The Speech and Language Pathologist evaluates a client’s speech and language abilities. They work directly with the ABA team members to create speech and language treatment goals as well as addressing any other social-communication needs. The SLP is instrumental in overseeing any augmentative or alternative communication used with the client.

Psychologists provide comprehensive care by collaborating with other team members to meet the emotional needs of the client and their family. This can include evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, or prolonged grief. Psychologists also provide parent support and education around their child’s diagnosis, their child’s treatment plan, sibling relationships, as well as other family matters.

Psychiatrists or Nurse Practitioners, who specialize in the treatment of developmental disorders, consult and collaborate with the treatment team regarding medical issues that might affect progress in treatment. They may provide guidance about whether medication may be helpful (e.g., reducing emotional distress, improving focus and attention, and/or stabilizing mood.)

Spectrum Transformation Group’s Intensive ABA Program has both home-based and center-based ABA therapy services. This means that your child may receive ABA therapy in your home, in the community, and/or in our Learning and Development Center.  Each setting has its own unique benefits. The Learning and Development Center programs are designed for intensive intervention in a structured environment with their peers. Clients who attend the center will also receive home-based therapy but on a less frequent basis and mainly for generalization of skills.

• Home-based ABA therapy occurs in the child’s natural environment, that is, in their home and in their community. Our therapists travel to you allowing for teaching of routines and skills that are unique to the home environment and in the community.
• Center-based ABA therapy occurs in the Learning and Development Center, which is in our office. Our intensive, center-based ABA therapy programs allow children to work on their individual therapy goals while fostering positive relationships with their peers. Center-based ABA therapy also allows for a more structured environment. This structure can allow for better assessment of skills and behaviors. Our Learning and Development Center also houses a specialized and interactive sensory playroom which allows for immediate positive reinforcement, gross motor skill work, and cooperative play with peers.

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in ABA therapy. At Spectrum Transformation Group, we place equal value on parent teaching as we do on therapy for the child. Research has shown that children of parents and caregivers who actively participate in their child’s treatment have better outcomes and long-term success. Spectrum Transformation Group requires the direct involvement of each family member to the greatest extent possible. In particular, consistent therapy attendance and a commitment to following the treatment plan at home will contribute to greater success and faster positive outcomes for your child. It is really important for parents and caregivers to use techniques and strategies that are demonstrated by staff and are outlined in the treatment plan.

Spectrum Transformation Group highly values your participation in your child’s treatment, therefore, we promise to keep you updated on your child’s progress. Your treatment team carefully follows your child’s progress by taking data. This data is analyzed on a regular basis to determine the direction of treatment. In addition to the regular communication that occurs within a therapy session, parents/caregivers will participate in more formal communication about their child’s progress during treatment plan meetings. Our staff is always ready to provide feedback and answer any questions you may have at any time.

To begin the enrollment process, a letter of medical necessity is required from the child’s treating physician (primary care or specialist) or psychiatrist. Spectrum Transformation Group’s Intensive ABA Service program accepts Medicaid, self-pay, and most private insurance plans (please check with your benefits specialist to verify coverage).

Spectrum Transformation Group aims to provide gold-standard treatment across a continuum of care, and across the lifespan of those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. We are happy to provide more information and answer any specific questions you may have about our Intensive ABA Services, and look forward to serving your family!

If interested in our Intensive ABA Services please call us at (804)378-6141 or contact us online.