ABA the Signature Way
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a young science that can do many wonderful things for people of all ages and backgrounds. We have seen a multitude of skills mastered by individuals through this science. But, the voices of Autistic adults that participated in ABA therapy as children may have memories that are not so wonderful, and more specifically, harmful and traumatic. Even at such a young age, ABA therapy principles have been used unethically and have undoubtedly caused harm, which is echoed through the voices of the Autistic community. At Signature Behavioral Health, we are continually making efforts to support changes in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Our goal is to support clients and families with compassion over compliance, while still utilizing the great science of Behavior Analysis. We are committed to being part of the change we wish to see in the ABA field and the larger world.
What does Signature Behavioral Health do to support client success?
Frequent Training
Signature therapists participate in continual hands-on skills training to ensure that every client receives exceptional therapy services. Training may cover skills practice, ethics, cultural values and compassion fatigue, team building, client-specific program review, and many other topics that ensure our therapists are knowledgeable and competent in their practice. Team members also receive weekly session supervision from their BCBA to ensure accurate and ethical program implementation. Therapists participate in a weekly team meeting to review client questions and complete mental health check-ins. We recognize compassion fatigue as a real threat to client outcomes and are intentionally addressing it.
All incoming team members are required to complete and pass several training sessions in their first week of employment. These trainings include trauma-informed practices, cultural awareness, ethical compliance, how to support clients in crisis, hands-off approaches to work-through undesired behaviors, as well as Signature standards for therapy sessions.
Compassionate Care
Therapists are expected to spend the first 15 minutes of every session intentionally building relationships with their clients. This may look like watching a client’s favorite video together, building legos, playing games, or any other activity that the client truly enjoys and the therapist can take part in. This time helps the therapist to continually build positive rapport with our clients.
Listening to Autistic Voices
We actively seek out and listen to the thoughts,opinions, and lived experiences of Autistic individuals. It is vital to our practice that we understand what strategies are effective and least restrictive for every client. Through this practice, we have come to understand that hand over hand prompting, compliance based protocols, escape extinction, forced eye contact, and other protocols may be traumatic for our clients. Our programming for client success is based on this information, and we do not utilize these protocols as a standard practice.
Client led sessions
We understand that Autism does not “end” at 18, so we purposefully make space for our clients to explore passions and preferences for future skill development. Sessions are geared towards broadening the communication, play, social, and life skills of each individual client. This can occur in a wide variety of activities that allow for movement and engaging natural learning opportunities.
Hands off support
Our client’s safety and well-being are of the utmost importance to Signature Behavioral Health employees. We strictly practice hands-off support for challenging behaviors. As an agency, Signature does not allow the practice of physical restraints. We recognize that there are other ways to maintain safety and support to a client when they are exhibiting unsafe behaviors. Therapists are trained in ways to support individual clients that provide compassion instead of requiring compliance.
Additionally, we recognize that behavior is functional, and the occurrence of aggressive or undesired behavior is indicating a need that is not currently being addressed. Our therapists are trained and instructed to follow strict guidelines for emerging or current behaviors that do not allow for restraining the client.
Applied Behavior Analysis is a science of wonderful opportunities for growth and development. We at Signature Behavioral Health take pride in our active movement toward ethical and compassionate therapy. Our goal is to recognize our past mistakes and create the changes we are hoping will become standard practice for all those who serve in this field.
About the author:
Brittany Turner is a mom and an animal lover. She is a Registered Behavior Technician and serves as the Clinical Assistant for Signature ABA. She has 8 years of experience in providing ABA therapy to children, in clinic, school, and home settings. She is currently attending classes and fulfilling the 5th edition task list to become a BCaBA.