Our Model

Traditional ABA companies focus on treating the child with autism directly with 1 on 1 therapy. While this is very ideal, it is unfortunately not for everyone. There are multiple reasons that a family is unable to access this model. The biggest barriers to this treatment are:

• Cost. Even with insurance, ABA can be very expensive. Many families who could greatly benefit from this treatment simply cannot afford it.

• Scheduling: For some, it can be too difficult to arrange picking up and dropping off their child at the times required by the center. Many parents work jobs that are not flexible and they are unable to adjust their schedule.

• Disagreement on hours: When a child attends ABA, the number of hours they attend should be recommended by the BCBA based on the child's clinical need. Many companies take an approach that is instead based on age, requiring parents of younger children to pull their child from school to attend therapy 40 hours a week. While this is absolutely beneficial for some, not every 4 year old needs this many hours, and parents are often uncomfortable with this number of hours.

• Fear of mistreatment: Handing your vulnerable child to someone you don't really know takes a level of trust that many parents are not willing to risk. Special needs children, especially those who cannot communicate, have a substantially higher rate of abuse by those who are meant to be their protectors and support. Unfortunately, while most technicians and BCBAs want what's best for your child, mistreatment and harm are still possible even in the ABA setting.

How do we address these barriers?

ABA is a field that operates on principles that can be used by anyone. Unfortunately, caregivers and families do not have easy access to the education needed to use ABA in their home unless they participate in the traditional ABA model. Our focus is to help families access ABA education and apply it in their home.

• Cost: We focus on offering caregiver training that teaches YOU to do what a technician would. We teach you how to address challenging behaviors and how to help your child learn new skills. We do not have a set requirement for a minimum number of sessions, so you can schedule caregivers/family sessions on a schedule that you can afford.

• Scheduling: We want to be available for families who struggle with being unable to be flexible with their schedule. Workplaces are not always accommodating, and caregivers often lose pay when they take time off to attend appointments Evening and weekend sessions are available to counter this.

• Disagreement on hours: We focus solely on caregiver and family education and do not offer direct ABA therapy for the child. This means there are no recommended hours that you are required to fulfill, and you are not required to pull your child from school for any amount of time.

• Fear of mistreatment: We are never with your child without you present in the home. Since our model involves caregiver and family education, you will be with us every step of the way. We will never pressure you into doing something with your child that makes you uncomfortable or causes your child genuine distress. We use an assent and trauma-informed approach, which means that the autistic person's happiness, safety, and autonomy are the very center of our treatment.