Each program and curriculum is individualized for each child and family so a curriculum cannot be put into place until a few steps are completed. Typically, I begin a program like this:
1. First I will observe the child in each setting that he/she spends time - home, "down time", school, at play, and in any other educational settings (such as during speech, ot, etc.).
I will be looking for possible reinforcers to use in his/her program and social interactions and initiations. I may also conduct language samples.
During this time I will also review any current assessments to learn more about the child. A current Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) will also be reviewed or conducted..
2. I will then spend time working with the child and developing the program curriculum. Since we not only want to teach communication skills, beginning learning skills, and self-help skills, but also make sure that those skills will be significant and useful in his/her natural environment, this will always be done with the input of his/her family.
3. Typically, when families start down the "ABA road" and hire a consultant, they do not instantly have staff hired and ready to go. Because of this I usually start training the staff that is available right away. Usually this staff is the parents! Once I have begun working with the child and have teaching programs designed for him/her, I begin 2-3 on 1 training, where parents watch me work with the child, learn to take data, and basic principles of reinforcement. We then begin taking turns working with the child, while I provide feedback and direction. During this "hands on training" and meetings I offer training in principlies of Applied Behavior Analysis, all areas of curriculum pertinent to your child, and effective teaching procedures including, but not limited to: errorless teaching, discrete trial teaching, and natural environment teaching (NET). The idea, is for parents to become experts on their child's program... highly qualified behavior therapists, ready to go!
As new staff members enter the team, training will be provided in the same way. All programs (curricula) will be introduced to the teaching team and everyone involved in your child's program will practice running the programs in front of each other by role-playing and then working with the child before they are allowed to work one on one with the child
Beginning a home program is alot of work. In most cases, parents are responsible for funding their own program, hiring their in-home therapists (also known as "trainers", "tutors", "teachers", etc.), developing a therapy schedule, and working with their child.
Initially, therapists will work with me and the child to ensure that the teaching standards are upheld. Quality teaching is necessary to obtain quality results. Once the family, the therapist, and I feel they are ready to work independently, they will run therapy sessions independently.
