Intensive Services for ASD

KGH’s intensive program provides evidence-based therapy using the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Your child’s intensive treatment program will begin with an in-depth look of your child’s strengths, weaknesses, sensory system, learning style, current form of communication and overall level of functioning. We also look at what your child does too much of, or areas of EXCESSES (e.g., repeating the same question over and over, tantrum during transitions, etc.), as well as what your child does not do enough of, or areas of DEFICITS (e.g., socialization, communication, etc.).

We then create a developmentally based ABA program that works on decreasing the EXCESSES and increasing the DEFICITS. What we mean by ‘developmentally based’ is that we perform behavioral AND developmental assessments at the start of your child’s treatment program and then work up the developmental ladder as your child progress with us, addressing all the necessary developmental milestones and core areas of deficits.

Since our developmentally based ABA program is individually tailored, the type of teaching instruction may vary from child to child. Regardless of teaching instruction, evidence-based teaching procedures are used and these include:
1. Errorless learning
2. Mixing and varying targets and tasks
3. Using ‘transfer trials’ to promote independent responses
4. Fluency teaching
5. Interspersing of easy and difficult tasks
6. Natural Environment Teaching (NET) when appropriate

In addition to using evidence-based teaching procedures, we employ several components that have been shown through research (Dawson & Osterling, 1997, Hurth, 1999) to be ‘tried and true’ factors of an effective intervention program. These include:
1. a curriculum content focusing on the ability to attend to elements in the environment, the ability to imitate others, the ability to comprehend and use language, the ability to play appropriately with toys, and the ability to socially interact with others
2. a highly supportive teaching environment and generalization strategies
3. predictability and routine within the program
4. a functional approach to problem behaviors
5. transitioning plan from in-home or clinic intervention to school classrooms
6. family/parent involvement

Clear and measurable goals are created and data is taken during every session. You will be updated, through visual analysis of graphs, regarding change in your child’s progress and, as your child’s parent, you will be actively coached on parenting techniques to help increase areas of core deficits as well as behavior reduction techniques in order to decrease negative behaviors and replace with positive, pro-social behaviors. Research suggests that daily treatment is necessary in order to effectively acquire core area deficits such as imitation, natural learning, communication as well as acquiring relationship and social development skills. KGH will recommend decreasing intensive treatment as soon as your child begins to reach age appropriateness in the targeted domain areas.

Intensive treatment includes the following:
1. Assessments to gain valuable baseline information
2. An Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) explaining results from assessments as well as clear, measurable goals that have been created with the parents and Behavior Analyst
3. An initial meeting with our Licensed Clinical Social Worker to go over Parent Stress assessment and family questionnaire, if desired
4. A treatment notebook including all curriculum programs and data collection measures
5. Preferred toys/reinforcers to increase motivation for active learning
6. Individually tailored teaching materials (e.g., visual supports, workbooks, etc.)
7. Treatment and supervision conducted by Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and trained, professional ABA Therapists
8. Hands-on parent coaching & training
9. Home visits to support generalization and parent training, if needed or requested
10. Weekly program data analysis and program updates by Behavior Analyst
11. Weekly active therapist monitoring to ensure consistency and fidelity among team members
12. Regular team meetings to go over progress/updates with child’s entire team
13. Regular meetings with parents to provide progress updates and go over parent concerns, etc.
14. Functional Behavior Assessment, if necessary
15. Written Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) discussed, in detail, with parents
16. Provide insurance company with all necessary documents (e.g., letter of medical necessity) to process claims
17. Verify insurance eligibility
18. Submit charges to insurance company for you and, if applicable, accept payment from them
19. 50% discount to attend the Comprehensive Parent Training Program

If you would like more information about our Intensive Treatment Program or if you would like to set up for a Free Screening to see if you child would benefit from our services, please call Kim at 847.498.KIDS (5437) or email Kim at kim@kghconsultation.org.