Programs

At Kidz Therapy Services, we offer programs designed specifically for each child utilizing the principles and methodology of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Our comprehensive program incorporates the components of ABA and Verbal Behavior that have been proven to be effective in the enhancement of skills in a vast range of domains. Methods of instruction may include but are not limited to: applied verbal behavior, discrete trial training, errorless teaching, incidental teaching, direct instruction and natural environment and community based training.

The treatment model utilized is a cohesive team-based approach, where Kidz Therapy Services provides Evaluations, in addition to Curriculum/Program Development, Consultation, Supervision, Team Leaders, Parent Trainers and trained certified special educators to work with each child.
The focus of each child's program is based on his/her individual needs and learning style where instruction focuses on those deficits that have interfered with the child's ability to participate in and interact with his/her family and peers. Critical skills such as language, play, self-help, initiation and socialization are taught to the child. These skills are taught within a naturalistic setting to encourage the generalization of concepts as they are taught within Kidz Therapy Services unique framework.

Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis is also popularly referred to as ABA. ABA is rooted from the theories of B.F. Skinner. It was popularized in the 1980's when Ivar Lovaas cited a study showing that the principles of ABA could be applied in an intense program of behaviorally based instruction to treat children with autism. The study showed that children with Autism could make dramatic progress when receiving a program of instruction of this type.
A simple way of understanding the fundamentals of ABA is that we, as humans, learn to behave based upon the demands that are placed upon us by our environment. For most people this occurs unconsciously without us being aware of it. For a child with Autism, learning occurs when demands are carefully structured and broken down to elicit the desired behavior.

Discrete Trial Teaching

A popular method that is used as part of this teaching is Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT). Discrete Trial Teaching is a specific ABA teaching strategy that focuses on teaching the learner to acquire complex skills by first mastering subcomponents of that skill. A discrete trial is a single cycle of a behaviorally-based instruction routine. A particular trial may be repeated over the course of a few days until the skill is mastered. Upon mastery of individual components, they are linked together enabling the learner to master more complex and functional skills.

Applied Verbal Behavior

Incorporating Verbal Behavior (VB) as part of an ABA program has become increasingly popular. This method emphasizes that language is controlled by social reinforcement and that verbal behavior refers to the spoken word, sign language, pictures and augmentative communication systems. An ABA/VB program addresses the communication development difficulties that are seen in many children with Autism. Kidz Therapy Services strives to provide comprehensive treatment programs that implement these methods. Our professionals utilize the ABLLS (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills) assessment and curriculum to determine the sequence of teaching skills. Each program developed by our professionals will be functional to each individual child's environment and facilitate the growth of skills necessary to increase communication and daily living skills.