Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

ABA therapy is a scientifically-validated treatment that brings about positive, meaningful improvement in language, communication, social, safety, self-care, and academic skills in individuals with skill deficits. It is widely recognized as the most effective, evidence-based treatment for autism by many state and federal agencies including the United States Surgeon General, the New York State Department of Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We provide up to 40 hours per week of in-home, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) to young children with autism as well as work with older individuals, with or without a diagnosis, who may require less intensive behavioral intervention. Our approach to ABA therapy helps ensure that our clients, young and old, not only enjoy attending therapy sessions but are also able to maintain skills and generalize the skills they learn to a variety of situations.

Behavior Reduction

Our staff are experts in reducing or eliminating behavior problems. The frequency, duration and/or intensity of problem behavior can be addressed through the use of humane, positive behavior reduction methods. We have successfully treated a wide-variety of problem behaviors.

A Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst will first conduct a functional behavior assessment (FBA) to determine the underlying cause of the behavior. Then an individualized plan, specific to the individual’s problematic behavior, will be developed and those directly involved will be trained on how to effectively implement the plan. We systematically monitor progress, adjust the plan as necessary, and gradually fade ourselves out once the behavior is changing in the desired direction.

Common problem behaviors include:

Training & Consultation

Everyone, at times, can be faced with challenging situations. Our Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) are available to provide training and consultation. We offer several trainings on topics in behavior analysis and have successfully provided behavior-analytic consultation to a variety of individuals and groups. We work with schools faced with challenging students or assist teachers with class-wide interventions. We work with parents who are at their wits end with sibling arguing. We work with organizations looking for recommendations or assistance implementing performance improvement strategies. We also work with other behavior analysis companies to provide suggestions for program improvement. Give us a call today to see how we can help.

A critical component to the overall success of a child’s ABA therapy is caregiver training. Caregiver trainings are part of our ABA therapy programs. We encourage immediate caregivers, and anyone else they would like to invite, to actively participate in ongoing training so they develop a strong understanding of the strategies being used in therapy and are able to replicate the same strategies when behavioral staff are not present. Caregiver training promotes maintenance and generalization of skills learned during therapy sessions as well as accelerates the learning of new skills. Research has consistently shown that active participation in caregiver training leads to the child’s long-term success. Caregiver training is a service that can be provided separately, even if you do not receive ABA therapy.

Supervision

Our highly trained and experienced BCBAs are available to provide in-person or distance supervision for those seeking to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board Certified associate Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). All supervision meets or exceeds the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) standards. For more information on the requirements for obtaining certification, please visit www.bacb.com.

The purpose of supervision is to develop the supervisee’s behavior-analytic, professional, and ethical repertoires and facilitate the delivery of high-quality behavior analysis services. Supervision consists of a variety of activities designed to ensure the supervisee is competent in all areas of the most recent BACB Task List. Supervision activities include observation of behavioral service delivery, behavioral skills training, performance feedback, guidance on behavioral case conceptualization, development of problem-solving and decision-making repertoires, review of written materials (e.g., behavior programs, data sheets, reports), and oversight and evaluation of the effects of behavioral service delivery.

We also provide the necessary training, skills assessment, and supervision for all of our Behavior Technicians that are interested in becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) as a benefit of employment.

Please note: Great Lakes Behavior Analysis is an approved service provider for earning course credit in Psych 292 and Psych 692 at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Tutoring

Whether your child is falling behind in school or just needs a little extra support in a particular subject area, our academic tutoring services can help. We utilize the most effective, scientifically-validated methods for teaching new academic skills and for improving poor academic performance. Our one-on-one tutoring sessions focus on improving your child’s fluency and retention skills through a combination of Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching.

Tutors are available for children of all ages and can take place at home, at the library, or at school–wherever your child learns best. A Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst supervises all tutoring services and can provide guidance and teaching strategies for all subject matters

Shadowing

Great Lakes Behavior Analysis offers shadowing for children and adults with special needs in a variety of inclusive settings to to promote independent functioning. Many individuals with special needs struggle with inherent social deficits associated with their disability that can make learning in an inclusive setting more difficult and frustrating. Individuals with special needs may need additional support and motivation to read social cues and nonverbal language, make friends, stay on task, reduce stress in social situations, and/or understand the perspective of others.

Following an initial skills assessment, a well trained and qualified member of our team will accompany the individual to either a public or private school, extracurricular activity, day program, or workplace setting to provide shadowing services. Advanced skills-training, progress monitoring, and trainings for the support team (teachers, employers, etc.) are all part of our shadowing services