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.

In this month’s “Beyond the Nest” caregiver workshop, our staff walked us through the steps for developing consistent routines while maintaining flexibility to support kids as they learn at their own pace. For a full-length video of this presentation, please visit: https://youtu.be/ZOSAWQ_AwAc

We all have routines and predictability schedules in our daily lives- they occur so often that it’s easy to overlook how much routines structure our days. Imagine driving to work on your normal route, but there’s unexpected construction that requires you to detour. You’re not sure how far down the street the construction ends or where you have to turn and the traffic behind you is quickly building. You’re likely feeling anxious about running late to work, frustrated by the amount of road construction in Chicago, and worried about a possible fender bender.

Routines are important because they help us know what’s going on and what’s expected of us. They promote independence and confidence by helping us know what steps we need to follow to accomplish tasks. For our kiddos, routines increase on-task behaviors, reduce problem behaviors, and aid in the development of functional skills to navigate their environment.

When developing routines for kids, it’s important to list every step and use simple pictures that help explain each step.

For example, here are the steps for a Hand Washing Routine:

1. Enter washroom
2. Go to sink
3. Turn on tap
4. Wet hands
5. 1 pump soap
6. Scrub hands
7. Turn off tap
8. 1 paper towel
9. Dry hands
10. All done

How do I establish a new routine with my child?

Take it one step at a time and celebrate the small victories- learning new things is scary and difficult and it’s easy to get frustrated or discouraged. If your child can only complete the first step in a routine, give them positive encouragement for completing that step. Once step one is mastered and consistently completed, add step two and keep the praise coming to prevent discouragement. By breaking things down and helping our little ones, you can help them slowly build confidence with each new step.

What if my child acts out or refuses to follow a routine?

Complete consistency is great in theory, but not applicable to daily life. Things happen, and we all have rough days where we just need a break. It’s important to recognize these tough days when they come along and give space to allow your routines to be flexible.

What if a routine needs to be adapted? For example, my child’s preferred restroom needs repair and they refuse to use a different restroom.

Change is scary for us all, but it’s important to highlight similarities, exactly what is staying the same, so your child can adapt their routine to a new location. For the example above, remind them that the toilet is still white, the flush works the same, and the sink still has hot and cold water. Giving your child these details will help shift their focus from what is different and confusing towards what is recognizable and familiar.

Having trouble establishing or maintaining routines?

Talk to your child’s team- our staff is here and happy to help however we can! We may also recommend additional ABA services with a BCBA to help establish routines that you can then follow and reinforce at home.

You may have seen the term “RBT” on your child’s treatment schedule, or have ABA services recommended by your child’s team of providers; But what exactly is an RBT? 

To help you understand exactly what an RBT is, let’s refer to the corporation that brings applied behavior analysis together as one: the BACB. According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), a registered behavior technician is a type of paraprofessional certification obtained by individuals practicing or interested in applied behavior analysis. RBT’s assist in delivering applied behavior analysis services to your child and work under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and can also work alongside a multidisciplinary team of providers. 

The next question that may come to mind is, “What exactly do RBT’s do?”.  

RBT’s work in ABA clinics, schools, in-home, etc. As directed by the BCBA in charge, RBT’s are responsible for executing applied behavior analysis interventions and strategies directly to the client. While they typically do not create treatment plans/goals for your child, they have more direct contact with family members and personally witness step-by-step progress your child makes with goals daily. I hope this helped you understand what an RBT is. Let’s keep reading to see how RBT’s are beneficial in your child’s daily life at Blue Bird Day! 

You look at your child’s fall session schedule and see “BT sessions with RBT ___”.

You think to yourself how does my child’s RBT benefit their day at Blue Bird? I can help answer this question for you! 

At Blue Bird Day, our RBT’s and behavior therapists are here to individually target goals that you may see in their normal daily routines, such as increasing social skills with peers and adults, shaping behaviors to become appropriate within a natural setting, typical activities of daily living (toothbrushing, eating with a fork, washing hands, etc.), and any other goals outlined in your child’s treatment plan created by their BCBA.

Goals targeted in individual sessions are taught to help your child generalize skills in group classroom settings, and even with other providers they will see throughout the day. By collecting data daily, this helps RBT’s be able to track and analyze 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 an RBT 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!