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Autism - ASD

ABA Program

Our ABA PROGRAM for children on the Autism Spectrum

Up Wee Grow, Inc. provides the highest quality A.B.A. programming (Applied Behavior Analysis) at the direction of our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Psychologist (Ph.D.).

Collaborative efforts are sustained between your family, administrative team, teachers, therapists, and service coordinators. At Up Wee Grow, our main objective is to cultivate and enrich the services we deliver through ongoing training and professional consultation. We develop programs specifically designed for each child and we then continuously evaluate to maintain the most appropriate and functional goals for each child over time.

Our comprehensive programs will incorporate components of A.B.A. that have been proven to be effective in the acquisition of skills across all developmental domains. Components of the Up Wee Grow Comprehensive ABA programs for learners on the autistic spectrum include:

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Intervention overseen by behavior analysts

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Ongoing objective measurement of progress

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Instruction in all developmental areas

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Skills broken down into small parts

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Enable learners to be independent

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Planned opportunities naturally occurring learning

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Abundant positive reinforcement

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Use of techniques to generalize skills

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Parent training and monthly meetings

At Up Wee Grow, Inc. we compiled the following to help filter the vast array of information on the internet. We hope you find this to be a useful resource in as you educate and empower yourself about Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. In accordance with the New York State Clinical Practice Guidelines for Autism/PDD, at Up Wee Grow, Inc. we recommend individualized and intensive “Applied Behavior Analysis” (ABA). More specifically, at Up Wee Grow, Inc. we advocate the “Verbal Behavior” (VB) approach to ABA.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)? According to Wikipedia.org, Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the science of applying experimentally derived principles of behavior to improve socially significant behavior. ABA takes what we know about behavior and uses it to bring about positive change (Applied). Behaviors are defined in observable and measurable terms in order to assess change over time (Behavior). The behavior is analyzed within the environment to determine what factors are influencing the behavior (Analysis).

What is the ‘Verbal Behavior’ approach to ABA? At www.AutismUSaba.de you can read about the major components of a Verbal Behavior (VB) approach, and a comparison of the VB approach to Ivar Lovaas’s ABA. VB language training focuses on teaching children to request items through use of natural motivation (“mand” training). VB considers a word to be mastered if a child can use the word in several ways (e.g., asking for a ball, answering questions about a ball, etc.).

How does Up Wee Grow assess a child’s progress?
In addition to using standardized test instruments in accordance with New York State Early Intervention Guidelines, Up Wee Grow, Inc. evaluates on-going progress of children in our ABA/VB programs using the ABLLS: Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills, which is considered the gold standard in the field of ABA and early child development. www.Behavior-Consultant.com)

Organizations

Autism Info:
Provides information to parents, doctors, teachers, tutors, caregivers, and anyone interested in learning more about autism and autism spectrum disorders.
www.autisminfo.com

BBB Autism:
Positive support and information regarding Autistic Spectrum Disorders. This site offers an online club and message board for siblings, spouses, and ABA therapists on various topics relating to Spectrum Disorders.
www.bbbautism.com

Long Island Autism:
The mission of the LI Autism is to promote lifelong access and opportunity for all individuals within the autism spectrum, and their families, to be fully participating, included members of their community. This site offers on line chats, forums for discussion and related articles.
www.liautism.com

North Shore Long Island Jewish Heath System-Center for Autism:
The Center for Autism offers the significant medical resources of the North Shore-LIJ Health System through a coordinated Health System-wide Autism Steering Committee so the patient and family are provided a comprehensive and integrated treatment plan.
www.northshorelij.com

The Elija Foundation-Empowering Long Island’s Journey Through Autism:
The ELIJA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization serving parents, educators, professionals and caregivers of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) on Long Island.
www.Elija.org

    Useful Books & Manuals

    Mariposa School Employee Training Manual
    MariposaSchool.org offers a 140 page, downloadable Verbal Behavior training manual. It is an excellent resource for individuals at all levels of familiarity with VB concepts, ranging from beginner to expert. The manual explains not only what to teach, but supplies detailed information on how to teach each target behavior. It is based on the ABLLS: Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (What is the ABLLS? www.Behavior-Consultant.com) Additionally, the manual provides detailed proactive, positive procedures to handle difficult to manage behaviors.

    The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children with Autism and Related Disorders by Mary Lynch Barbera, Tracy Rasmussen, Mark L. Sundberg This is an excellent, thorough, parent-friendly book, which helps parents and therapists effectively and practically use the ABA/VB approach. Major topics include, definitions of basic ABA/VB concepts, teaching manding and other expressive language functions, teaching receptive language functions, toileting, and important self-help functions. (Available at most libraries or at www.BarnesAndNoble.com

    Educate Toward Recovery: Turning the Tables on Autism – A Teaching Manual for the Verbal Behavior Approach to ABA by Robert Schramm This is an outstanding book for parents as they first begin ABA/VB therapy with their children. It is also an invaluable resource to therapists. The author describes ABA/VB principles in a very parent-friendly and compassionate way that will encourage hope and optimism, and set the stage for continued parent involvement. Major topics include: understanding the purpose of your child’s behavior, detailed positive procedures to gain instructional control over your child’s behavior, and detailed methods to use your child’s motivation to increase language. (Available at most libraries or at amazon.com)