What Is Total Care ABA?
November 21, 2024
Discover the power of Total Care ABA! Learn about inclusive therapy, skilled therapists, and customized techniques for positive impact.
Understanding ABA Therapy
ABA therapy, short for Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, is a widely recognized and evidence-based approach that aims to increase desired behaviors and decrease unwanted ones. Originally developed in the 1960s by Dr. Ivar Lovass, ABA therapy was primarily designed to address the behavioral symptoms associated with autism and help individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) develop essential skills.
Basics of ABA Therapy
ABA therapy is a highly personalized treatment approach that targets a wide range of skills, including communication, social skills, self-care, academics, and independent living. It is based on the concept that behavior is influenced by the environment, and by changing the environment, positive behavior changes can be encouraged [2].
The therapy utilizes behavior analysis principles to assess and analyze behavior patterns. The behavior analyst identifies target behaviors, sets specific goals, and designs individualized treatment plans to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. Techniques such as reinforcement, prompting, and shaping are used to encourage desired behaviors and reduce unwanted ones.
ABA therapy is known for its intensive and systematic approach. It typically involves frequent and structured sessions, often starting early in a child's life. The therapy sessions are conducted by highly skilled and trained professionals, such as Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs).
Effectiveness of ABA Therapy
Over the years, ABA therapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving the lives of individuals with ASD. A landmark research study by Dr. Ivar Lovass in 1987 showed that 90% of children substantially improved following intensive ABA therapy, with 47% progressing to become indistinguishable from their peers.
Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of ABA therapy on individuals with ASD. A meta-analysis of 29 studies found that ABA programs are moderately to highly effective in improving various areas, including intellectual abilities, communication skills, language skills, IQ scores, adaptive behavior, and socialization [4]. The Surgeon General of the United States has also recognized the efficacy of applied behavioral methods in reducing inappropriate behavior and increasing communication, learning, and appropriate social behavior.
The effectiveness of ABA therapy can be attributed to its individualized approach, systematic implementation, and evidence-based techniques. By addressing specific behavior patterns and utilizing positive reinforcement, ABA therapy helps individuals with ASD develop essential life skills and improve their quality of life.
In the next section, we will explore the range of services offered by Total Care ABA, which is committed to providing comprehensive and personalized ABA therapy to individuals with ASD.
Total Care ABA Services
Total Care ABA is dedicated to providing comprehensive ABA therapy and autism services for children, aiming to help them thrive and succeed [5]. Their range of services is designed to meet the unique needs of each individual and provide support to both the child and their family.
Range of Services Offered
Total Care ABA offers a wide range of services to support children on the autism spectrum. These services include:
Service Description
- Benefit checks: Total Care ABA assists families by examining eligibility with their insurance provider, ensuring that families understand their coverage options and potential benefits.
- Consultations: Total Care ABA provides consultations to help families understand the benefits of ABA therapy, answer questions, and address concerns.
- Family support: Total Care ABA recognizes the importance of family involvement in the therapy process and provides ongoing support to families, offering guidance, resources, and training to help them better support their child.
- Center-based ABA therapy: Total Care ABA offers center-based ABA therapy services, providing a structured environment where children can receive therapy in a safe and supportive setting.
- At-home ABA therapy: Total Care ABA provides at-home ABA therapy services, allowing children to receive therapy in the comfort of their own home. This approach helps to create a familiar and comfortable setting for the child.
- In-school ABA therapy: Total Care ABA offers in-school ABA therapy, working closely with schools to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive support system for children receiving therapy services. This allows for the integration of therapy goals and strategies into the child's educational environment.
Therapeutic Approaches Utilized
Total Care ABA employs a variety of therapeutic approaches to address the unique needs of each child. Their highly skilled therapists utilize evidence-based techniques to develop individualized treatment plans. Some of the therapeutic approaches utilized by Total Care ABA include:
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): A comprehensive assessment that helps identify the functions of challenging behaviors and determine the appropriate interventions to address them.
- Functional Communication Training (FCT): A technique that focuses on teaching children with autism spectrum disorder functional and meaningful communication, helping them replace challenging behaviors with effective communication that is acceptable in social settings [6].
- Modeling: Therapists use modeling to demonstrate target behaviors or skills, providing visual examples for the child to observe and imitate.
- Positive Reinforcement: The use of rewards or positive consequences to increase the likelihood of desired behaviors and skills.
- Negative Reinforcement: The removal of aversive stimuli to increase the likelihood of desired behaviors and skills.
- Parent-implemented Intervention: Involving parents in the therapy process, providing them with strategies and techniques to support their child's progress at home.
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): A visual communication system that uses pictures to help children with autism spectrum disorder communicate their needs and wants.
- Pivotal Response Training (PRT): A naturalistic and child-led approach that focuses on targeting pivotal areas of development, such as motivation, responding to multiple cues, and self-management.
- Redirection: Redirecting a child's attention from unwanted or challenging behaviors to more appropriate activities or behaviors.
- Scripting: Providing scripts or predetermined phrases to help children with autism spectrum disorder engage in social interactions and conversations [6].
By utilizing these therapeutic approaches, Total Care ABA aims to support children on the autism spectrum, helping them develop essential skills and improve their overall quality of life. The highly skilled therapists at Total Care ABA work closely with families, providing individualized and professional care to each client, ensuring their success.
Benefits of Total Care ABA
Total Care ABA is dedicated to providing comprehensive ABA therapy and autism services that aim to help children on the autism spectrum thrive and succeed. By offering a range of services and utilizing therapeutic approaches tailored to each individual, Total Care ABA strives to make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. Let's explore the benefits of Total Care ABA in terms of improvements in children and family support and involvement.
Improvements in Children
ABA therapy, including Total Care ABA, has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in empowering individuals with autism and improving their quality of life. Research has shown that ABA therapy can lead to improvements in various areas, including concentration, social connections, and speech. By providing individualized treatment plans, ABA therapy can target a wide range of skills, such as communication, social skills, self-care, academics, and independent living. The therapy focuses on eliminating problem behaviors and replacing them with positive behaviors that are more appropriate for social settings.
Total Care ABA simplifies the process of navigating autism care for children by collaborating with families at every step. They assist families with tasks such as examining eligibility with insurance providers, arranging initial assessments, and assigning qualified therapists to carry out individualized treatment plans during scheduled therapy sessions. By involving families in the therapy process, Total Care ABA aims to enhance the overall outcomes for children with autism. Parental involvement is a crucial component of ABA therapy and has been associated with better results for children with autism [3].
Family Support and Involvement
Total Care ABA recognizes the importance of family support and involvement in the success and development of children with autism. They collaborate with families throughout the entire process, including dealing with insurance companies, finding the right support, and scheduling therapy sessions to accommodate real-life situations. This comprehensive approach, often referred to as "total care," aims to provide families with the support they need from A to Z.
By involving families in the therapy process, Total Care ABA ensures that treatment goals align with the child's unique needs. They also collaborate with schools to integrate therapy goals and strategies into the child's educational environment, promoting consistency and continuity in their development and facilitating the generalization of skills learned during therapy sessions to real-world situations [3].
The support and involvement of families not only contribute to the effectiveness of ABA therapy but also provide parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to continue supporting their child's growth and development outside of therapy sessions. This collaborative approach helps create a nurturing and conducive environment for the child's progress.
Total Care ABA recognizes that the impact of autism reaches beyond the individual child and extends to the entire family. By providing family support and involving families in the therapy process, Total Care ABA aims to make a positive difference in the lives of children with autism and their families.
In the next sections, we will explore the highly skilled therapists and the supervision and support provided by the Total Care ABA team, as well as delve into the vision of the Total Care ABA founder and the impact the organization has on families.
Total Care ABA Team
At Total Care ABA, the team consists of highly skilled therapists who are dedicated to providing individualized and professional care to each client. These therapists play a crucial role in delivering effective ABA therapy to children between the ages of 2 and 12. They are licensed and experienced in working with children with diverse needs.
Highly Skilled Therapists
Total Care ABA employs therapists who have undergone extensive training and possess the necessary qualifications to deliver ABA therapy. The therapists are passionate about their work and have a deep understanding of the principles and techniques of ABA. They stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field to provide the highest standard of care.
The therapists at Total Care ABA work closely with each child to develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs and goals. They use evidence-based strategies and interventions to teach new skills, reduce problem behaviors, and promote overall development and independence.
Supervision and Support
The therapists at Total Care ABA receive close supervision and support from a senior clinical supervisor. This ensures that the therapy sessions are of the highest quality and that the child's progress is closely monitored. The senior clinical supervisor is typically a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has extensive experience in the field of ABA therapy.
The supervision provided by the senior clinical supervisor involves ongoing feedback, guidance, and review of the therapist's performance. This collaborative approach ensures that the therapy is effective and aligned with the child's individual goals. It also allows for adjustments to be made to the treatment plan as needed, based on the child's progress.
In addition to the supervision, the Total Care ABA team fosters a supportive and nurturing environment for both the child and their family. They understand the importance of involving the family in the therapy process and work closely with them to ensure consistency and generalization of skills learned during therapy sessions. Total Care ABA assists families with insurance eligibility, initial assessments, and the assignment of qualified therapists for scheduled therapy sessions.
The Total Care ABA team collaborates with schools to integrate therapy goals and strategies into the child's educational environment. This collaboration promotes consistency and continuity in the child's development and facilitates the generalization of skills learned during therapy sessions to real-world situations.
With their expertise, dedication, and commitment to the well-being of each child, the highly skilled therapists at Total Care ABA provide comprehensive ABA therapy services that make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. The collaborative effort between the therapists, senior clinical supervisors, and families ensures that each child receives the support they need to reach their full potential.
To learn more about ABA therapy and its applications in specific contexts, check out our articles on ABA therapy for ADHD, What is Discovery ABA?, What is Supportive Care ABA?, and What Is Ambitions ABA?.
Total Care ABA Founder
Total Care ABA, a leading provider of ABA therapy, was founded by Ruben Kesherim. Ruben Kesherim is the founder and CEO of Total Care ABA, driven by his vision to change the lives of millions of families across the U.S. who are challenged with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Ruben Kesherim's Vision
Ruben Kesherim's vision for Total Care ABA is centered around empowering individuals and families facing autism to live their best lives. His goal is to provide personalized support and therapy sessions that address the unique needs of each individual and their family.
Through Total Care ABA, Ruben Kesherim aims to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism by offering comprehensive and individualized treatment plans. These plans target specific behaviors and skills, such as communication, social interaction, and adaptive skills. By focusing on these areas, Total Care ABA promotes positive behavior changes and enhances the overall quality of life for the child.
Impact on Families
Total Care ABA recognizes the importance of family involvement and support in the success of ABA therapy. They work closely with the child and their family to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that aligns with their goals and values. This collaborative approach ensures that therapy goals and strategies are integrated into the child's daily life, promoting consistency and continuity in their development.
Furthermore, Total Care ABA understands the challenges families face in navigating the insurance process. They provide assistance in understanding insurance coverage and support with benefit checks, making their services accessible to families seeking ABA therapy [3].
Ruben Kesherim's vision and the impact of Total Care ABA extend beyond individual families. By providing high-quality ABA therapy and personalized support, Total Care ABA aims to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals with autism and their families, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and supportive society.
ABA Techniques
ABA therapy utilizes a variety of techniques to address the behavior and communication challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder. These techniques are designed to promote positive behaviors, reduce problem behaviors, and enhance overall quality of life. Two key techniques commonly used in ABA therapy are behavioral strategies and personalized treatment plans.
Behavioral Strategies
Behavioral strategies play a crucial role in ABA therapy. These strategies involve systematically analyzing behavior patterns, identifying triggers and antecedents, and implementing interventions to promote positive behavior. Some commonly used behavioral strategies in ABA therapy include:
- Positive Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement involves providing rewards or praise to encourage desired behaviors. By reinforcing positive behaviors, individuals are motivated to repeat those behaviors in the future. This technique helps individuals with autism develop new skills and establish appropriate behaviors.
- Discrete Trial Training (DTT): DTT is a structured teaching strategy that breaks down skills into small, manageable components. It involves presenting specific prompts or cues to elicit desired responses from individuals. DTT is particularly effective in teaching new skills and promoting skill generalization.
- Antecedent-Based Interventions (ABI): ABI focuses on modifying the environment to reduce triggering interfering behaviors. By altering the antecedents or events that precede a problem behavior, individuals are less likely to engage in challenging behaviors. ABI aims to create a supportive environment that promotes positive behavior.
These behavioral strategies, among others, are tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. By utilizing these techniques, ABA therapists help individuals develop skills, manage challenging behaviors, and improve overall functioning.
Personalized Treatment Plans
One of the hallmarks of ABA therapy is the development of personalized treatment plans. Each individual with autism has unique strengths, challenges, and goals, which is why personalized treatment is crucial. ABA therapists work closely with individuals and caregivers to understand their specific needs and design intervention plans that address those needs.
Personalized treatment plans in ABA therapy encompass a wide range of skills, including communication, social skills, self-care, academics, and independent living. The treatment plans are highly individualized and may involve various techniques, depending on the specific goals of the individual.
Reinforcement, prompting, and shaping are commonly used techniques within personalized treatment plans. Reinforcement involves providing rewards or praise to reinforce desired behaviors. Prompting assists individuals in performing tasks by providing cues or guidance. Shaping involves gradually modifying behaviors to achieve a desired target behavior.
Collaboration between ABA therapists, individuals, and caregivers is crucial in developing and implementing personalized treatment plans. Regular communication and feedback ensure that the treatment plan is tailored to meet the individual's unique needs and goals.
By employing behavioral strategies and creating personalized treatment plans, ABA therapy aims to support individuals with autism in developing essential skills, reducing challenging behaviors, and maximizing their potential for a fulfilling life.
