At Children’s Milestone, we are dedicated to enriching the lives of Autistic children. A key part of this is empowering families to create supportive at-home environments, as consistent reinforcement in a familiar setting leads to incredible strides in independence. Here are four pillars of our approach.
The Power of Play-Based Learning
We see play as a powerful learning tool. It’s a core part of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions, which use natural settings to teach skills (Schreibman et al., 2015). Through shared enjoyment, we can introduce concepts and reinforce positive behaviors, making learning joyful.
Fostering Communication in Every Interaction
Communication is about connection. A highly effective method is Functional Communication Training (FCT), which teaches functional communication to replace challenging behaviors (Carr & Durand, 1985). Every interaction is a chance to build these crucial skills.
Building Independence Through Daily Routines
Predictable routines offer security and a framework for learning independence skills. We help families build skills into daily tasks, where simple goals build a sense of accomplishment. This aligns with a core principle of balancing skill development with personal choice (Bannerman et al., 1990).
The Importance of a Parent-Professional Partnership
The most effective support is a strong parent-professional partnership. You are the expert on your child; we provide ABA expertise. This collaborative model is critical for generalizing skills and ensuring lasting progress for your child (Compleat Kidz, 2023).
These strategies are central to the individualized ABA therapy we provide. We believe that sharing our understanding helps create the most supportive environments for children to flourish. If you feel our approach is right for your family, please contact us today to learn how we can begin supporting your child’s journey.
References:
Bannerman, D. J., Sheldon, J. B., Sherman, J. A., & Harchik, A. E. (1990). BALANCING THE RIGHT TO HABILITATION WITH THE RIGHT TO PERSONAL LIBERTIES: THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO EAT TOO MANY DOUGHNUTS AND TAKE A NAP. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23(1), 79–89. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1990.23-79
Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18(2), 111–126.
Compleatkidz. (2024). Compleatkidz.com. https://www.compleatkidz.com/blog/the-importance-of-parent-training-in-aba
Schreibman, L., Dawson, G., Stahmer, A. C., Landa, R., Rogers, S. J., McGee, G. G., Kasari, C., Ingersoll, B., Kaiser, A. P., Bruinsma, Y., McNerney, E., Wetherby, A., & Halladay, A. (2021). Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions: Empirically Validated Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(8), 2411–2428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2407-8