Finding the right Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program can often be a little stressful and overwhelming. These are a couple of helpful tips and tricks to look out for when finding a great program.

Who is part of the team?

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA): Individuals who completed a qualifying Master’s Program and participated in clinical hours to become approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). These individuals:

• Uses evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis assessments and interventions to create individualized goals to enhance skill development.
• Create a Behavior Intervention Plan based on a conducted Functional Behavior Assessment.
• Conducts Parent Trainings.
• Supervises the Registered Behavior Technician in their application.

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT): Individuals who have completed a Board Certified 40-hour program and passed an exam by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. These individuals:

• Implement Applied Behavior Analysis interventions created by the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
• Receive ongoing supervision by the BCBA.
• Gets reviewed by the BACB Annually.

Developmental Therapist (DT): Individuals who have completed a qualifying Master’s Program and are part of the therapy case manager team who are experts in child development as a whole. Developmental Therapy may not necessarily be available at other agencies. These individuals:

• Identify where a child’s functional performance meaningfully impact a family’s life and ability to participate in daily routines.
• Use role play and functional play schemes to enhance a child’s volition and motivation when participating in recreational activities.

Why choose ABA at Blue Bird Day?

 1. Multi-Disciplinary

Here at Blue Bird Day, ABA therapists collaborate with other disciplines to create a holistic intervention program for your growing kiddo. We work together with Speech, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Social Work, and Nutritional Therapists to improve all skills.

 2. Group and Individual

Blue Bird Day offers a unique blend of individual and group services to work alongside your child in a variety of scenarios that are similar to everyday situations they might encounter such as:

• A playground
• Family game night
• Individual functional play
• A school setting
• Play dates
• Grocery Shopping with the family

 3. Multi Environment

We acknowledge that your children participate in different environments, and so our services can accompany you:

• In clinic
• In home
• Virtual (when applicable)

Learn more about ABA at Blue Bird Day from the recording of our Beyond the Nest parent caregiver training or reach out to us directly for more information.

Therapists and teachers often hear this common phrase from caregivers: “If only my child were like this at home!” It’s no secret our clients often behave differently in the home compared to the therapy environment. Much of this has to do with differences in expectations, the influence of peers, structure, and routine. But this therapeutic environment doesn’t just come together like magic; it takes a lot of work from everyone on that client’s team. But, don’t worry! There are many strategies that therapists use in the clinic that caregivers can implement at home to reflect a more structured therapeutic environment.

Schedules: Setting the Scene for Success 

Children thrive when they understand expectations and are given an environment and structure to succeed. Start by keeping common routines, like getting ready and going to bed, at the same or closely similar times each day. Keep these routines very structured, with the same kinds of things occurring each time. For example, bedtime will always be at 8. So, at 7 we take a bath, then pjs, then brush teeth, then story time, then snuggles with mom and dad, then lights out. Written and visual schedules will further help this process, as children can cross things off and see their progress through the schedule as they go along. This predictability and routine will help things move along smoothly! 

First/Thens and Timers: Knowing What to Expect 

Sometimes a simple shift in the way we say and present things can make all the difference. Transition warnings, timers, and first/thens are excellent and easy tools for home. For example, maybe hair brushing is a non-preferred activity. So, when it’s time for hair brushing, we can say, “First brush hair, then read a book.” Putting a more preferred activity after a non-preferred activity often helps with the motivation to complete that activity. Timers also can be useful. “We will brush hair for 5 minutes, then all done.” The child can watch this timer and understand that this non-preferred activity has an endpoint, which makes them much more likely to complete the activity without protest. Meeting a child where they are and telling them what to expect helps them to trust us; this helps them listen to us when it matters most! 

Star Charts and Token Boards: Motivation Helpers 

Sometimes certain expectations and routines may be especially challenging, and our children may need a little more incentive. Token boards and reward charts can help with this. For example, a token board may look like this: 

The child would choose a reward that they don’t often have access to, like a treat or an iPad video, and “earn” that reward by completing tasks or keeping safe hands/feet/body while completing tasks. Children can also use sticker charts throughout the week and earn rewards at the end for completing certain routines, tasks, and keeping good behavior or good listening. 

Bring It Home: You Can Do This! 

The strategies above can help your child achieve success in the home environment, and it’s important to customize these based on your unique family routines and goals. Our team of multi-disciplinary therapists are here to help, and if you’d like more specific advice based on your child’s individual goals and strengths, please reach out to your child’s therapy team! 

BCBA? What is a BCBA? What does that even stand for?

I can help answer that question. To help you understand exactly what a BCBA is, let’s refer to the corporation that brings applied behavior analysis together as one; the BACB. BCBA stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), A BCBA is a graduate-level certification in applied behavior analysis.

BCBA’s are independent practitioners who provide applied behavior analysis services and can also work alongside a multidisciplinary team of providers. BCBA’s also have the duty of supervising the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and any other professional that implements applied behavior-analytic interventions. BCBAs range in a three-tier level of distinction. Obtaining a Bachelor’s level education qualifies an individual to become a BCaBA. Obtaining a Master’s degree level of education associates with becoming a BCBA. And finally, obtaining a doctoral level of education allows one to become a BCBA-D. The process of obtaining this level of distinction requires individuals to first become certified and, in some states, also obtain a license. I hope this helped you understand what a BCBA is. Let’s keep reading to see how BCBAs are beneficial in your child’s daily life at Blue Bird Day! 

You may think to yourself, what exactly does a BCBA do at Blue Bird Day?

I can help answer this question for you! At Blue Bird Day, our BCBA’s are here to manage, supervise, provide and create your child’s applied behavior analysis services. BBD BCBA’s keep in mind that goals created will apply to the BBD curriculum in group rotations and individual sessions implemented by BCBA’s/RBT’s/BT’s. ABA evaluations completed during the onboarding process for BBD allow you to get to know your child’s provider and give you a chance to express your concerns and behaviors observed by your child in your everyday life. In addition to the questionnaire, BCBA’s evaluate your child’s developmental milestones (including but not limited to: functional communication/requesting, receptive and expressive language, visual-motor skills, social and play skills, pre-academic skills, etc.) by using an assessment entitled the VB-MAPP. From there, based on your child’s scores from the VB-MAPP assessment, BCBA’s are able to create goals and build new ones once mastery criteria are achieved. In addition to creating and managing ABA goals, you are able to stay up to date with your child’s progress by attending caregiver training! Caregiver training is recommended and needed for a progress overview, update you on new goals, and allow your child’s BCBA to train you on certain strategies to implement within the home and community for continuity of treatment across settings, to promote generalization, and provide more opportunities for learning. By collecting data daily this helps BCBA’s to track and analyze the progression made by your child and if goals should be tweaked to fit your child’s needs.  

Hopefully, this blog has helped you understand what a BCBA is and how they can contribute to your child’s progress at Blue Bird Day. For more information on ABA services and to see if your child qualifies, feel free to ask your child’s team of providers! 

In the world of applied behavior analysis (ABA), there are many ways to teach an individual a certain skill. Typically, you may hear or see your child’s BCBA/RBT teach a skill using Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT). DTT is a structured ABA intervention individualizing and simplifying instructions to enhance children’s learning. When implementing DTT, it is generally highly structured in nature, with a one-on-one approach to help break down a complex task into small increments. DTT is presented to learners by presenting tasks/instructions so there is a clear beginning and end, which in all makes tasks discrete. When expanding your child’s learning to generalize into multiple environments, natural environment teaching (NET) is the way to go!  

Natural environment teaching (NET) is an evidence-based intervention that utilizes the principles of ABA to teach your child in the natural environment aka “the real world”. Unlike DTT, NET allows the instructor to contrive instructions based on the learner’s motivation, which is carried out in a modified, natural environment. Environments that qualify as “natural” include homes (child’s room, living room, kitchen), stores, parks, etc. There are multiple advantages to implementing NET. Some of the advantages include: authentic reinforcers and consequences; relying on natural and functional stimuli; family members and peers becoming more active in NET training. Another great feature of NET is not only providers have to implement the intervention; you, the parent/friend, can do this at home! Below is an example of how NET is taught in a generalized, natural environment.  

* Coloring with markers and a coloring book is the example we will use today* 

• Set up the environment to be able to contrive an instruction from the learner  
• We can accomplish this by first cleansing the environment: closing additional toy boxes and distractors and putting them out of reach but still present in the environment. 
• Placing the coloring book and markers in front of the learner and instructor. 
• Make sure the red marker is in both individual’s reach, allowing the instructor to have control and have access to materials in order to contrive instruction. 
• When a child gravitates to his/her favorite coloring book and markers, they reach for the red marker. In this case, the instructor/parent is able to contrive an instruction by prompting the child to request for the red marker by asking “What do you want? or “What color do you want?”. NET allows the red marker to be the reinforcer versus providing another item.  

Teaching NET in generalized environments isn’t the easiest thing to tackle but don’t get discouraged. Always remember to make it fun, actively participate with your child’s BCBA to help create goals and stay up to date with what you’re targeting.  

What is Token Economy? Token economies are based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and emphasize the use of positive reinforcement to target behavior change. Token economies help children visualize progress, accept and work for delayed reinforcement, learn to self-monitor, and learn to regulate behavior.  

 Developing a Token Economy: When developing a token economy, first identify and define the behavior you want to increase (i.e. target behavior). Then, determine what items or activities will be motivating to the child. To help identify these items/activities, it is helpful for parents and teachers to complete a reinforcement survey and use direct timed observation. This, in turn, develops a list of items and activities that have been identified as possible reinforcers will serve as back-up reinforcers for the child.  

Back-up reinforcers should be items/ activities that are easily introduced and removed; generally, access to back up-reinforcers should be 5 mins or less. The individual's back-up reinforcers can come from the survey completed by parents and teachers. reinforcers include tangible items (Legos, trains, cause and effect toys) bubbles or a song.  

When possible, limit access to reinforcing items/ activities that were identified when token economy is in use. This will reduce the possibility of the child getting bored with any one reinforcer and increase the motivational value of the reinforcer.  

Next, determine how many tokens need to be earned before gaining access to the back-up reinforcer. Start with a small number of tokens (learner dependent- ask BCBA) and gradually increase that number when BCBA advises. Decide what to use as tokens and match these to the level of the learner. For example, a Preschooler may have Elmo tokens whereas a Kindergartener may have smiley face tokens. 

Teaching and Implementing Token Economy: BCBA will initially introduce this technique with teaching instructions to follow. During the initial stages of teaching the token economy, social praise will be paired with the token by providing learner specific reinforcement (i.e., tickles, a thumbs up, or a pat on the back) while at the same time labeling the behavior with "great sitting!" or "awesome coloring!" 

All key parties play a vital role while implementing token economy. Therapists and family members working with the child will be taught by the BCBA how to distribute tokens, but as stated previously, should be consistent in their distribution of tokens and exchanges of the back-up reinforcers. Flood the child with tokens in the beginning so that access to the back-up reinforcers is frequent.  Once the child demonstrates an understanding of earning the tokens leads to the back-up reinforcer, the BCBA will determine when to lengthen the time between delivering tokens and/or increase the number of tokens required. As requirements to earn tokens increase, continue to pair token delivery with lots of specific social praise. This will teach the child delayed reinforcement.  

Prior to presenting demands, a difficult task/ transition,  the adult will ask the child "What are you working for?", "What should we play with?"  or "What do you want to earn?" – these options will come from the pre-assessed list of items/activities known as back-up reinforcers. For a visual learner who may not have the words to label their desired item/activity, it may be helpful to provide a choice board. When the child has earned the pre-determined number of tokens, he/she should be encouraged to count the tokens from the board and in exchange, immediately earn access to their reinforcer.  

Allowing a child to participate in the token economy at this level may increase their own sense of control over the situation as well as ensure that the selected reinforcer is indeed motivating to the child in the moment of time.  

Using a Token Economy correctly can help motivate your child as they visually track their earned rewards for desired behaviors.  

Ideas to use Token Economy at Home and in the Community 

1. Difficult activities the child may not enjoy  
2. The bathroom routine 
3. Cleaning up after play 
4. Transitions 
5. "Chores" – making the bed, putting clothes in the hamper, feeding the animal 
6. Playing a family game 
7. Mealtime 
8. Riding in a car  
9. Going to the store 

The Basics of ABA

Any parent of a child with special needs understands the fine art of behavior as a means of communication.  A child that does not have all of the tools needed to express themselves uses their actions to get a message across.  This form of communication can present challenges in a child’s ability to learn and succeed in everyday life.  Behavior Therapist, Kelly D, believes it is her job to break down these communication barriers so that her clients can learn and grow. To Kelly, the greater the challenge, the greater the reward.

Kelly is driven by what makes her clients tick and recognizing that their actions are meaningful.  The fascination with the use of behavior as communication is what directed Kelly to pursue the path to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She can use the methods of Applied Behavior Analysis to better understand and help her clients. She completed her graduate certificate in Behavior Analysis this summer and will be sitting for the BCBA board exam in February. The BCBA graduate certificate is just the latest accomplishment in her impressive fourteen-year career.

Kelly is Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and Collaborative Problem Solving trained, skilled in Augmentative Communication Devices, and holds a Masters in Elementary and Special Education.  Blue Bird Day is very lucky to have her expertise, passion, and talent as the Kindergarten Teacher at the North Center location opening this winter!

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy that uses the clients’ actions and skills to shape learning.  For children with Autism and sensory disorders, ABA therapy is flexible enough to implement in many different environments and fosters their current means of communication.  The goal of ABA is to improve communications, social relationships, self-care, academic and employment success. ABA can be structured or applied to naturally occurring opportunities, but an imperative part of the intervention is that the treatment goals are designed specifically for each client.  The relationship based therapy at Blue Bird Day lends itself perfectly to these customizable approaches.

Kelly’s path to becoming an Board Certified Behavior Analyst came organically as she uncovered her natural ability to connect with children with special needs.  She fell in love with teaching early in her career at Americorps.  While teaching in Philadelphia she had her first interactions with special needs children and she felt an automatic comfort.  This natural strength paired with her curiosity and analytical side make her an asset to our North Center team.  It doesn’t hurt that Kelly has experience opening classrooms, Autism programs and has worked in a variety of public and therapeutic schools, including Easter Seals in Chicago.

Having worked in a setting with older special needs children, Kelly has a unique perspective and enthusiasm for early intervention.  She knows what these children will be experiencing in a few years as they enter elementary, middle and high school and she understands the impact early intervention can have on clients for the rest of their lives.  Kelly is motivated to use her position at Blue Bird Day to prepare them for what is ahead socially and academically.

Kelly sees North Center as an opportunity to give back to her community and the people that she interacts with every day.  An avid cyclist, Kelly not only has the bike route to North Center planned out, but her vision for the classroom, as well.  As the opening of North Center approaches, these details are going to help the facility hit the ground running.  However, Kelly is most interested in the big picture and collaborating with her new team to accomplish great things. Kelly’s reward is knowing that she is always her best self when she is with her clients.