Clinical Services

APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based practice focusing on socially significant behaviors-the behaviors that matter to you. Our team of clinicians works with each family to identify behaviors to focus on during our services; these include behaviors for reduction such as hitting, spitting, throwing objects, or dropping to the floor as well as behaviors to increase such as initiating interactions, skills to increase independence, following directions, and self-care skills.

ABA is different from other clinical interventions because it focuses on the immediate environment-what is happening immediately before and after the behavior and uses this information to help change behavior. Our behavior services are provided in the home and in the community and provide caregivers the tools and strategies to manage their child’s behavior.

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED ABA?

ABA has been endorsed by many federal and national agencies as an effective scientific approach for treating autism, including the U.S. Surgeon General, American Academy of Pediatrics, Autism Society of America and the National Institute of Mental Health. However, ABA can be used for anyone who exhibits behaviors to reduce, often thought of as “problem behaviors” or behaviors to improve.

ABA may be right for your child if he or she:

Engages in aggressive or destructive behavior
Has difficulty following directions
Elopes/runs away from areas
Needs support during social interactions
Requires support in daily living and self-care tasks (bathing, dressing, eating, etc.)

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities, or occupations. Children’s “occupation” is to play and learn! Our licensed occupational therapists work with your family to identify cognitive, physical, sensory, or motor skills to target during our weekly services.

Skills include fine motor deficits to improve handwriting, basic living skills such as holding a toothbrush or utensil, or sensory deficits that may interfere with daily living activities such as grooming, bathing, toileting, and getting dressed.

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED OT?

Occupational Therapy is widely used with children with developmental disabilities like autism, often in collaboration with other therapies such as ABA. However, your child does not need to have a specific diagnosis to receive OT services.

OT services may be right for your child if he or she:

Presents a delay in developmental milestones
Displays difficulty responding to sensory input (aversive to or seeking textures, sounds, tastes, smells, visual input, touch, etc.)
Has difficulty with fine motor tasks such as zippering, buttoning, holding a pencil, tying shoes
Demonstrates challenges in coordination and motor skills; looks like poor balance, bumping into objects or people, difficulty with hand/eye coordination
Uses too much force or intensity when playing or writing

Our Process

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Connecting

Our Autism Navigator will learn more about your child and your family’s needs. Our Navigator will ask questions related to your child’s development, schooling, and diagnosis to learn more about how our team can help your family. The Navigator will also share resources both through Family Initiative and our community to support your child and family. Our Autism Navigator will review any required information needed to get services started.

Getting Started

Once you provide the information needed, our team will work with your insurance provider to review your policy to determine if services are covered. A member of our team will follow up with you to let you know the specific details of any costs associated with our services. Family Initiative works with most major insurance providers and accepts private pay clients as well.

Assessment Process

The lead clinician will contact you to schedule an initial assessment. The assessment typically takes place in your home and includes an interview process to gain in depth understanding of your child, as well as observation and interaction with your child.

Individualized Plan

Based on the results of the assessment, your clinician will complete a plan unique to your child and family. This plan will include specific goals which will be worked on during your child’s therapy sessions and the recommended number of hours we will be with your family. You will receive a copy of this plan to review before it is finalized. If using insurance, the final plan will be provided to your insurance provider for approval.

Ongoing Support

Once the plan is approved, our team of clinicians will work with you to schedule consistent days and times to work with your child and family. The team will provide the therapeutic support in your home, in school, in the community, or in our Autism Support Center depending on your needs.

Meaningful Results

At Family Initiative, families come first. Our clinicians serve alongside your family to provide exceptional support to ensure your child thrives!