We provide consultation services for young children and their families seeking early intensive behavioral intervention. We also help with Individualized Education Plans.

Typically, an ideal early intervention home program looks like this: the majority of hours spent working with the child are done by trained family members and trained in-home therapists. As consultants providing training to family and staff of the curriculum to meet the needs of the child, we prefer (but do not require) to work with a family who is running an intensive program, 25-40 hours per week. We tend to consult in a fairly "tight" manner. We create the teaching programs. We train the therapists and we manage and analyze the data. This assures high quality programs. We require time to work one on one with the child, time to “overlap”/train team members during their shifts with the child, and full team meetings. If a senior therapist is involved, we also require a weekly meeting with the senior therapist. Most importantly, time to work in vivo with the client’s family: These hours, too may vary, depending on whether or not a senior therapist is involved in the program and if he/she can take this responsibility on. These hours are meant to ensure that the child is living in a "therapeutic environment" and family members will be able to capitalize on teaching moments throughout the day, not just during "therapy".

This is negotiable! Every child and family is different. The consultant's time is normally altered when a strong, dependable lead therapist is also on the team. We know that each family and team must work around time (personal, family, school, etc.) and finances when constructing an early intervention program. Understanding that the time element may vary slightly due to needs of the child, training needs of the team and family, and at the request of the client/family, we will work to maintain the effectiveness and integrity of the program.

Initial Program Development and Training

All prior evaluations and assessments, including a recent Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised (ABLLS-R) and/or Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP)  will be reviewed prior to the consultant’s first observation of the child.

The consultant will observe the child at home/daycare/school, etc. The consultant will also ease into 1:1 work with the child (through pairing). Then an updated ABLLS-R or VB-MAPP will be completed to determine the operant or baseline level and identify areas of need.  The consultant will meet with the family to discuss areas of strength and need for the child.  Together, we will work to set goals for the child, based on the evaluations, assessments, observation, and specific family needs.

The consultant will spend time developing curriculum specific to the child’s needs. The consultant will put together a 3-ring binder which will house detailed instructions for each curriculum area and the data collection system for the entire program. A training workshop for family and staff will include training on principles of behavior, errorless teaching, the child’s curriculum (teaching program by teaching program), and data collection, etc. Training will also include the consultant demonstrating each program and working with each “trainee” and the child.

Ongoing Consulting and Training

Working Team Meetings: After the initial training workshop, a weekly or bi-monthly Working Team Meeting will be held. Each staff member will work with the child, with the consultant providing feedback and training, and answering questions. Consultant Time: 2-3 hours

Distance Consulting Program

The following information should be utilized as a guide. Each program will be tailored to the specific needs of each child and family. All hours, trainings, meetings, etc. will be planned ahead of time with the client-family.

Working Team Meeting: 1 week after the initial training workshop, a Working Team Meeting will be held. Each staff member will work with the child, with the consultant providing feedback and training, and answering questions. Consultant Time: 3 hours

2 weeks after the initial Working Team Meeting, another Working Team Meeting will be held. The consultant will also review videotape of staff working with child prior to meeting. Consultant Time: 3 hours for team meeting, 2 hours for videotape review.

6 weeks later (and every 6 weeks following) Working Team Meetings will be held. Since this is a long time between meetings, anyone doing ABA sessions with the child will be asked to videotape themselves working with the child for at least 20 minutes during 1 session each week. Every 2 weeks the videotape will be sent to the consultant. She will review the tape and provide written feedback for each staff member and the family to review. She will also review program data, maintain and modify current programs, and write new curriculum.

Consultant Time: 3-4 hours for each team meeting (every 6 weeks)
2-3 hours for each video tape review (every 2 weeks or 3 times in 6 weeks)
2-3 hours for curriculum development
So once meetings are being held every 6 weeks, Consultant time per 6 weeks is approximately 11-16 hours
Much of the above can be done through the use of a Web Cam. Each program will be tailored to the needs of the child and family.