Our ABA
What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy applies our understanding of how behaviour works in real-life situations in the home and community. Our goal is to support greater independence, meaningful participation in family routines, community activities and friendships with others, and help create valuable outcomes for the individual.
ABA therapy can help:
Build relationships and connection
Improve participation in skill building programs and academics
Improve attention and focus
Foster autonomy and empowerment in all areas
History of ABA
ABA was founded in the 1960’s; its methods have been studied and used with vulnerable populations for decades. While the principles of our science have aimed to help individuals with disabilities, we acknowledge that ABA has also been the cause of significant trauma. We understand that the failure to listen to the marginalized individuals we serve has led to mistrust and resentment of our field.
Catalyst Behaviour Services strives to continually do better. Collaboration, respect, autonomy and empowerment are embedded in every step of our teaching process. We value and acknowledge the diverse voices of our community, and aim to raise them to the forefront in all that we do.
Strategies and Interventions
ABA involves the use of many techniques for understanding and supporting the growth of functional skills. Our ABA is tailored for each individual client based on target behaviours, past experiences, goals of the individual and family values. The values of safety, dignity and rapport are always prioritized.
Therapy can be provided in many different locations; home, school, and in the community. Our goal is ensuring that learners reach fluency in the areas they are taught in sessions so they are able to maintain their new skills long-term. ABA focuses on teaching foundational skills that are significant and meaningful to the individual for their life now as well as in the future.
Clinical Oversight
A qualified and trained Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) designs and directly oversees all programming. They customize programming to each learner’s skills, needs, interests, preferences and family situation. The BCBA will be conducting detailed assessments of the clients skills and preferences and will incorporate this information into their specific treatment goals.
Goals can include many different skill areas, such as:
Communication and language
Learning readiness skills such as imitation and attending
Increasing a healhty food repertoire
Self-care (such as hygiene routines and toileting)
Play and leisure
Motor skills
Academic skills
Data Collection
Every child learns at their own rate and in their own way. Our ABA focuses on working with each child at their individual level and ability, using their strengths to teach them new skills.
An area that sets ABA apart from other therapies and interventions is the collection and analysis of data. The BCBA and support staff create measurement systems that help determine if the child is learning. Data is collected each session and graphed regularly. This allows the team to objectively review and monitor progress for the greatest success.