In-School ABA Therapy for Autism
ABA Support Adds Value to Education
As experts in Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, ABA Centers of America has partnered with many school districts that now benefit from having our Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) working with our clients alongside school staff during school hours.
At no cost to the school, our RBTs and BCBAs serve as a welcome support to teachers in the classroom, during school activities, and during difficult transitional times such as lunch and recess.
Adding ABA Therapy Into an Already Busy Classroom
Schools are often not set up for neurodiverse students. The certified ABA professional in the school environment is there to help the children they work with outside of school stay focused, behave appropriately, and constructively interact with teachers and classmates. The presence of an ABA therapist in school is not an invasive or distracting element. In fact, ABA therapists often contribute to a better functioning classroom where the teacher can pay appropriate attention to the other students.
Why ABA Therapy Works in School Settings
There is a significant body of research showcasing the effectiveness of ABA therapy for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For decades, ABA therapy has been known as the “gold standard” in autism care and is often the only autism therapy covered by major health insurers as medically necessary.
Schools are, of course, mandated by the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) to provide “free appropriate public education.” However, imagine if that could be elevated, and schools could provide students with autism with the additional tools necessary to excel in school and in the community. ABA Centers of America can work with school personnel to provide that continuity of care we all want for these students.
Safety Concerns About Allowing ABA Therapists in School
Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians must pass rigid certification tests from the governing organization for the profession. In addition, before they can be certified, they must pass an extensive background check for working with children. And, of course, all ABA Centers of America clinicians working in school systems are subject to the same vetting and insurance verification process that any school employee would undergo, including fingerprinting.
Having Certified ABA Therapists in School Works Toward the Following Goals:
- Improving academic and behavioral outcomes
- Supporting teachers and classroom outcomes
- Fulfilling student IEPs (Individualized Education Program)
- Preparing students with ASD for independent living
- Fostering inclusion and integration
