Joyful ABA Therapy

What is Joyful ABA therapy?

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy is founded from behavioral science and is utilized to teach necessary developmental skills and reduce dangerous or socially inappropriate behaviors. Over 30 years of research has demonstrated the effectiveness of ABA therapy for reducing the symptoms of autism, and it is considered a medically necessary intervention for individuals diagnosed with autism. ABA therapy encompasses a variety of research-based interventions utilized to teach individuals with autism important skills to increase their overall independence and quality of life. JoyBridge Kids utilizes child-led, reinforcement-based interventions to bring the joy to all our learners.

Joyful ABA therapy at JBK includes:

Biannual, individualized assessment, during which the child’s strengths and challenges are assessed and the learner/family and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) determines the child’s goals
An individualized Treatment Plan and Behavior Support Plan (BSP) developed by the child’s BCBA to increase the child’s developmental skills and reduce challenging behavior
Led by the child’s BCBA, an assigned team of Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) to build trust and rapport, implement daily therapy sessions, and thoroughly understand the child’s preferences and needs for efficient growth and progress
One-on-one direct therapy sessions with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to implement the child’s Treatment Plan and Behavior Support Plan
Daily Communication Notes detailing the child’s session activities and progress
Weekly therapy sessions with an RBT and the child’s BCBA for ongoing progress monitoring, data analysis, evaluation of intervention effectiveness, and continuous coaching and support of the child’s RBT team
Implementation of positive, play-based and research-based interventions such as Naturalistic Intervention, Pivotal Response Training, Discrete Trial Training, Functional Communication Training, and Differential Reinforcement
Biweekly caregiver coaching sessions with the child’s BCBA and caregiver(s) to discuss the child’s progress, evaluate and problem solve current needs at home/community, and provide direct training on effective ABA interventions to utilize at home throughout the child’s lifespan
Ongoing collaboration with the child’s entire therapy team and family to promote
the child’s development and ensure goals are being mastered

ABA therapy focuses on the following areas for growth, in collaboration with our OT’s and SLP’s:

Vocal and Motor Imitation Skills
Visual Performance
Expressive and Receptive Language
Functional Communication Skills
Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skills
Social Skills and Social Interactions
Play and Leisure Skills
Pre-Academic and School Readiness Skills
Coping and Emotional Regulation Skills
Self-Advocacy, Self-Management, and Independence
Decreasing ineffective or inappropriate behaviors (i.e. biting) with socially appropriate replacement behaviors (i.e. requesting help)
Adaptive, Self-Care, and Toileting Skills
Attending and Social Referencing
Following Daily Routines and Participating in Groups

What makes ABA therapy effective AND Joyful at JBK?

Children’s sessions are filled with their favorite toys, activities, and engaging play-based learning with adults they know and trust!
Our clinicians practice an assent-based learning model, which means we respect children’s communicative attempts to engage or disengage in therapeutic tasks.
Our clinicians adjust their teaching strategies and interventions to fit the unique needs and preferences of each child in order to provide the most joyful, effective therapy for each learner in our care.
We focus on creating contingencies of joy inside our clinics, which means we modify the teaching environment to prevent stress and distress of our learners, which promotes both confidence and happiness.
Through joyful ABA, we are able to increase the well-being of each learner through playful, evidence-based therapeutic practices.
Our clinicians focus on teaching children how to functionally communicate their wants, needs, and dislikes, and how to engage with others through appropriate attention and affection.
We teach our learners how to safely adapt to nonpreferred and difficult situations in order for their well-being and happiness to be self-managed throughout their lifespan.
Our children are children first, so we focus on age-appropriate play and therapeutic tasks throughout both our comprehensive and focused-intervention sessions.

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