Assessment

Individualized goals will be created during an in dept assessment, also called Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA.) The purpose of the assessment is to identify behavior excesses and behavior deficits and what skills the client needs to learn.

A Behavior Analyst will conduct the assessment. The authorized assessment hours will be used to carry out a number of activities. For example, the assessor can conduct observations at the clinic, the families’ home, in the community, at the daycare, preschool or school; have interviews with teachers; review all relevant reports like IEPs and psychological evaluations; review the outcomes of a variety of skills assessments (e.g., VB Mapp, Vineland, ABLLS etc.) Once all information is gathered, the assessor will write the assessment report, which will be the foundation of the actual behavior therapy services.

The assessment involves:

ACTIVITY

EXPLANATION

Initial Contact

Assessor contacts the family to set up the assessment appointments

Review of Records

Records will be reviewed: IP, IPP, Psychological Evaluation, Speech/OT/PT Evaluation, previous Functional Behavior Assessments.

Client/Parent Interview

Parents and the assessor will review and sign the consentForms. The interview is conducted, including reasons for referral and client’s background

Client Observation and Data Collection

Functional behavioral or skills-based assessment: Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence observations; preference assessment; MAS; FAST; VB-MAPP; ABLLS; Vineland; EFL

Program Development & Report Writing

This includes a Behavior Intervention Plan to target the primary behavior deficits or excesses

“ABA specialist has caused a dramatic change within my son. She is motivated, likes to see results and is very dedicated to her work.”

-Parent of Learner

“Our ABA specialist was able to communicate with great strength and stability. I love her direct and effective approach, which get right to the core of the problem and immediately starts to work.”

-Teacher

“ABA Works has been patient and diligent in helping our son learn and acquire new skills at the pace he is capable of.”

-Parent of Learner

The assessment report will include also the following:

List of reasons why the family seeks out ABA services
Medical history
Overview of any childhood illnesses, including the ages any illnesses occurred
Family history of medical and behavioral health issues
Current medical conditions
Presence or absence of allergies (medications, foods, etc.)
Risk assessment for maladaptive behavior issues such as biting, head-banging, tantrums, kicking and scratching
ABC data collection which determines the function of the maladaptive behaviors
Identification of community-based resources currently or previously used by the family/clients
Summary of each family member that participates in the client’s life, including the extent of their support for treatment
Identification of sources of support and barriers impacting the client/family, such as:
Vocational; Spiritual; Cultural; Educational; Legal
Possible referral(s) to additional services.