ABA PARENT RESOURCES
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Providing Your Family With The Foundation for Success
Our ABA program focuses on providing your child an individualized plan to teach alternative functional skills and reduce problem behaviors that may be interfering with their ability to learn and thrive. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts create programs that utilize evidence-based interventions to ensure your child is receiving the best care possible. Our highly trained Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) will begin by teaching your child the foundational skills needed to grow, but more importantly, our program focuses on increasing family independence and decreased reliance on our therapists. Our ultimate goal is that our parents will be provided the tools and resources to maintain their child's progress outside of therapy.
NEW TO ABA?
First Session Expectations
In Home
For the first few sessions, many parents may think that the therapist is just coming in and playing with their child. During this time the therapist will be focusing on building rapport and creating a positive fun experience for your child! The therapist’s goal will be to make sure your child is motivated and excited to be a part of future therapy sessions. We recommend that therapy be conducted in a natural area in the home in which your child typically plays and always encourage parent participation. The therapist will be following your child’s lead to analyze how your child plays and what are the best techniques that can be used for future sessions
Clinic
In the clinic setting, therapy sessions will be held in therapy rooms. After signing in at the front office, therapists will pick up your child downstairs in the lobby and transition them upstairs to the rooms. To allow for social opportunities and peer-based learning, our therapy rooms have multiple children working with therapists. To respect the privacy of other clients, if parents wish to observe the first sessions during the first weeks of therapy, we ask that you inform the office in advance so that a private room can be provided. Parents should supply their child with a personal bag or backpack that includes a change of clothes, diapers and wipes (if needed), and any snacks or drinks that your child may need.
Parent Involvement
Parent involvement and participation are critical components of ABA services. It not only allows parents to observe and learn from therapy sessions but also ensures consistency and generalization of your child's skills. During parent education sessions, this is time parents may voice concerns about their child's program, but additionally this is a time where parents will be provided the opportunity to practice and run their child's programs and goals. Sessions will begin by providing parents brief introductory topics and will expand to provide parents with training on proactive antecedent strategies and consequence interventions to address their child's problem behaviors. At Cornerstone we believe that parents are a crucial component to the success of each child.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Online Resources to Help You and Your Family Get Started
REGIONAL CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY (RCOC)
RCOC provides a multitude of services for qualifying individuals in the Orange County area including respite, behavior respite, resources for summer activities and much more!
BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFICATION BOARD (BACB)
The BACB certifies BCBA’s and RBT’s. They also provide resources for ABA practice guidelines and ethical considerations.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)
The CDC has information on autism prevalence and atypical symptoms.
AUTISM SOCIETY
The Autism Society provides information on autism and community resources.
ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE IN AUTISM TREATMENT (ASAT)
ASAT provides community resources and disseminates safe and effective scientifically based autism treatments.
FIRST WORDS PROJECT
The First Words Project has information and videos of typical development from ages 7 to 24 months.
AUTISM NAVIGATOR
Provides resources for families and children with autism and atypical development in toddlers and young children.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions and Topics Expressed By Parents
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ABA SERVICES?
Since ABA focuses on the environment in which your child’s skill deficits and behavioral excesses are occurring, ABA has been proven to be effective with a variety of individuals.
IS ABA EVIDENCE-BASED?
Yes! All interventions and treatments provided at Cornerstone Therapies are based on peer reviewed research. Over the last 60 years, thousands of studies have been conducted that show the efficacy of ABA therapy. Our BCBA’s continue to learn the latest research in the field of ABA so as to provide the most effective treatments for your child!
WHERE DOES ABA THERAPY TAKE PLACE?
ABA therapy can take place in a variety of locations including the clinic, home, community, and non-public schools. ABA is located where your child needs it the most and may change over the lifetime of your child’s therapy. For example, your child may start off receiving most of their sessions in the clinic setting, but then move to the home and community settings. The goal in ABA is to provide therapy in the most natural location for your child, which often is the home setting.
HOW MANY HOURS OF ABA SHOULD MY CHILD BE RECEIVING?
Your child's program and hours are completely tailored to their needs. Direct service hours typically range from 4 to 25 per week. Intensive early intervention programs may include 20-30+ hour programs. Supervision typically occurs for at least 20% of the direct service hours. In addition, your child’s program will involve parent education in which caregivers work collaboratively with their supervisor.
DOES MY INSURANCE COVER ABA THERAPY?
Most insurance plans cover ABA therapy for children with an Autism diagnosis but specific benefits vary across insurance companies and member plans. Our benefits specialists can assist you with verifying your benefits. Give us a call today!
I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT MY CHILD'S SESSION...
We always welcome family interaction during sessions! Being involved in our sessions helps for your child to display their newly learned skills with you!
DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS?
Yes, ABA collaborates with a variety of healthcare professionals including, but not limited to, your child’s pediatrician, teacher, and/or neurologist. Since we have a multitude of disciplines at Cornerstone Therapies, we also work collaboratively with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
HOW LONG WILL MY CHILD NEED TO BE IN ABA FOR?
ABA targets skill development and behavioral concerns that arise over an individual's lifespan. Depending on your child's needs ABA services may last a few years while others may require services longer. Our goal is to provide families and individuals behavior analytic tools to increase independence and decrease dependency on therapeutic intervention.
AS A PARENT I'M FEELING OVERWHELMED AND NEED RESPITE...
Please see our resource page for information regarding services provided by the Regional Center of Orange County.