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History: As early as 1913, John Watson studied that all behavior is controlled by environmental events. He mapped out the stimulus-response psychology that started the movement called behaviorism. BF Skinner and others outlined basic principles of behavior, which include reinforcement, prompting, fading, shaping, schedules of reinforcement, etc. supported the structure of behavior analysis. These principles can be included into teaching methods and be measured by data. Ivar Lovaas teaching application of behavior analysis was the first used with people diagnosed with Autism and became the first evidence based method.
Other ABA Applications:
In addition to explaining operant
conditioning further, Skinner also analyzed
the functions of language and presented
his analysis in the 1957 book Verbal
Behavior which had more focus on
communication. More recently, other
behaviorists like Mark Sundberg, Vince
Carbone, Dr. Mary Barbera and others
took it a step further to apply verbal
behavior principles.
There's a lot of confusion involving ABA
because the applications get confused
especially when used interchangeably.
So when someone asks if you are doing
ABA or recommends ABA for your child,
you can now better express which
applications you are using for your child
or which applications would best help your
child based on their needs.
​
Another area of confusion is a lot of ABA
Programs are missing a key component that
the Lovaas Institute uses in their programming
which addresses the rigidity and repetitive
behavior that is seen in many people with
Autism. As the child masters a task, it is
moved to the Generalization binder. That's
where the mastered task is varied on a specifc
schedule. If the child exhibits the mastered skill while varying it, then it is considered an absorbed skill. Through my conversations with parents because they see my child very flexible with change and her ability to vary a learned task without behaviors, I asked them if their ABA program contained this piece. And I have yet to meet a parent that knew about this component.
​
Other ABA Applications:
In addition to explaining operant conditioning further, Skinner also analyzed the functions of language and presented his analysis in the 1957 book Verbal Behavior which had more focus on communication. More recently, other behaviorists like Mark Sundberg, Vince Carbone, Dr. Mary Barbera and others took it a step further to apply verbal behavior principles. These applications are referred to Applied Behavior Analysis.
​
​What goals can I expect?
Some of the goals include toilet training, play skills, social play, matching, building receptive skills, imitation skills, making distinctions between yes/no, etc. The learned skills should be "generalized" meaning the child should independently and consistently do the skill without being "prompted" or asked to. When goals are in the "generalization phase", mix it up to strengthen flexible thinking. Example: Tossing a ball back and forth. To generalize it, use a beach ball at the beach. Then play catch with a soft ball. Then have a sibling toss a soft cushy ball back and forth. It's the same activity but you are changing the players, environment, the type of ball...you get the idea.
When initial introductions are made, make sure the therapist working with your child pairs a "reinforcer" or reward to them before making demands. There should be some type of data collection to measure your child's progress in the program. When introducing a new task, the therapist can use "errorless teaching." For example, if they are asking a child to label a picture, they have only that card out, point to it (prompt) and say the name of the picture and eventually expand to having the child choose from two cards. The professional should balance how many skills should be taught at a time so as not to unnecessarily increase protest behavior or tantrums. If the material being introduced is challenging for the child, the therapist can incorporate easy tasks or generalized tasks in with the harder tasks. Parents should be involved with learning this therapy and using it at home to keep reinforcing the skill.
​
Recommended ages: Many programs recommend starting between 18 months to 3 years. The effectiveness of ABA decreases with age. After the age of 8 years old, the percentages decrease even more. ABA is often recommended because it builds a foundation for learning and building cognitive skills. Even though ABA is an evidence based therapy, there is a small number of children that don't response well to ABA programs.
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​Providers:
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ABA Therapy Services, LLC
Beth Raiola, MS, LBS, BCBA (Carbon & Monroe County)
Call for appointment: 570-216-3900
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Helping Hands Family
Where: 3790 West Drive Center Valley, PA 18034
Call: (484) 965-9966
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ABA Support Services
Where: 224 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth, PA 18064
Call: (610) 365-8373
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Advent Therapy
As a small private organization, we are not a provider of BHRS/ Provider 50/ Wrap around services. Instead, our behavior specialist is integrated into our therapy model and works with the therapy team and parents alike to guide treatment plans.
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Behavioral Pediatrics and ABA Therapy
Where: 1152 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, Pennsylvania, PA 19446
Call: (267) 663-7141
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Connecting the Pieces, LLC
Direct Support Services like ABA training and Verbal Behavior programs
Call: (484) 808-5680
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Easterseals ABA Coaching Program for Parents
Offers a FREE opportunity for parents who want to learn how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy can benefit their child with autism.
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Galena Autism and Behavioral Services
Where: 4877 W Swamp Rd, Doylestown, PA 18901
Email: info@gabsautism.com
Call: 267-454-7357
Website: https://www.gabsautism.com/
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Kidspeace
Group IBHS: Afterschool Program and Sarah’s Smile Summer Program (Broadway Campus & Berks Campus) – This site-based program provides an opportunity for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis to develop and practice social skills with peers using individualized curricula founded on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Where: 1620 Broadway Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
Call: 610-799-8222
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Lovaas Institute East Headquarters
Haddon Heights / Philadelphia Office
Where: 423 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
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Matrix Behavior Solutions
Where: 175 East Brown Street, Suite 202, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Call: 570-234-3989
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Mission Autism Clinic
Services: They offer a day program for children between 2-6 years old and after school program for kids and teens.
Where: Allentown and Bethlehem
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MCC Family Services
Where: 800 Clarmont Ave, Suite B, Bensalem, PA 19020
Call: 484-863-9330
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New Story Group
Where: 1427 Chew St, Allentown, PA 18102
Call: 484-866-9303
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More ABA Providers Outside Lehigh Valley, click here to access.
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​The ABA in PA Parent Group on Facebook is a resource for parents who have questions regarding ABA in the state of Pennsylvania.
Having issues getting ABA?
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If you are having a problem getting Applied Behavioral Analysis ("ABA") for your child that you have not been able to resolve with your Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization or the county, you may contact 717-409-3791 or RA-PWIBHS@pa.gov. Click here for more information.
