Applied Behavior Analysis
We now offer Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for our clients. ABA is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior, and it can help you understand your child. Through ABA, your child can increase their language skills, improve their attention, focus and memory, and we can help reduce some of the behavioral problems you may be experiencing with your child. Learn more about how it works, how we help, and how you can get started!
What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific, evidence-based therapy widely used to support individuals with autism and other developmental differences. Its primary goal is to encourage positive behaviors and reduce those that may interfere with learning and daily life, using principles grounded in learning theory and motivation.
ABA therapy uses a variety of strategies, including positive reinforcement, visual supports, and task analysis—breaking complex skills into smaller, manageable steps. These techniques help individuals build new skills, improve communication, and enhance social interactions. A strong body of research supports the effectiveness of ABA in promoting meaningful, lasting behavioral growth.
We understand that every child is unique. That’s why our clinicians gather ongoing data on each child’s responses to therapy, allowing us to tailor and adjust treatment plans based on their individual progress. This personalized, adaptive approach empowers children to develop coping strategies, manage behaviors, and thrive in ways that align with their strengths. Through ABA, children gain the tools they need to meet challenges and succeed in a world that may not always be designed for neurodiverse individuals.
Where does therapy take place?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is highly adaptable and can be delivered in a range of settings—including the home, a specialized clinic, school, or community environments. The setting is thoughtfully chosen based on the individual’s unique needs, developmental goals, and family preferences. Each environment offers distinct advantages in helping children build essential life skills and apply them across real-world situations.
Below is an overview of the primary ABA therapy settings and the benefits each one provides:
Center-Based ABA Therapy
Setting: Specialized ABA therapy center
Benefits:
Offers a highly structured and controlled learning environment
Provides access to a team of professionals in one location
Encourages socialization with peers in a safe, supervised space
Ideal for establishing routines and practicing foundational skills before generalizing them
School-Based ABA Therapy
Setting: Classroom or school environment
Benefits:
Helps children adapt to academic routines and behavioral expectations
Supports peer interaction and social skills development
Therapists work collaboratively with educators to create a unified support system
Targets behaviors that may interfere with learning
In-Home ABA Therapy
Setting: Child’s home
Benefits:
Teaches everyday life skills such as hygiene, mealtime routines, and household tasks
Allows for greater family involvement and parent coaching
Supports natural interaction with siblings and caregivers
Builds skills in a familiar, comfortable environment
Natural Environment Training (NET)
Setting: Real-life environments (home, school, community)
Benefits:
Focuses on teaching skills in the context of everyday routines and situations
Promotes generalization—skills learned in one place can be used across different settings
Encourages independence in less structured, distraction-rich environments
Ideal for teaching adaptive skills like emotional regulation, communication, and social interaction
Consideration: NET may be more challenging due to natural distractions and lower structure.
Community-Based ABA Therapy
Setting: Public places like stores, restaurants, parks
Benefits:
Teaches real-world skills such as ordering food, shopping, or using public transportation
Builds confidence in navigating public and social settings
Encourages independence and adaptability outside of structured environments
Do you work with Caregivers, too?
At TTS, we believe that lasting success comes from a team effort. Families, schools, and other caregivers are not just participants—they are essential partners in the treatment process. Sustainable change occurs when everyone involved in the child’s life is informed, engaged, and consistent in their support.
We provide regular check-ins to keep you informed about your child’s progress and to ensure that the treatment plan aligns with your family’s needs and values. We encourage open communication—whether you have questions, need clarification, or simply want to discuss your child’s development, our team is always here for you. Our integrative approach ensures that therapy is cohesive, comprehensive, and centered on your child’s overall well-being.
ABA Parent Training: Parent training is a vital part of our ABA services. We equip caregivers with the tools and strategies needed to support their child’s growth at home. This training not only strengthens the bond between parent and child, but also promotes the generalization of skills across settings, helping your child thrive beyond the therapy environment.
Caregiver Presence During ABA Therapy Sessions
For the safety and well-being of both the client and therapist, it is generally recommended that a responsible adult, ideally a parent or caregiver, remain present during in-home ABA therapy sessions. While family members are free to go about their usual activities, the therapist requires a competent adult available for support, should any emergencies arise.
Where do we start?
1) Initial Intake Session
We begin by meeting with the parent(s) or caregiver(s) to discuss the presenting concerns, such as challenging behaviors, skill acquisition, or sibling conflicts. This session helps us identify the primary areas to address and establish the best plan for initial assessments and intervention strategies. These initial assessments are typically completed over 6-8 sessions.
2) Getting to Know Your Child
We gather key information about your child’s strengths, challenges, and interests to ensure we understand their unique needs. From this, we schedule a comprehensive initial assessment to guide the therapy process.
3) Comprehensive Evaluation
During the comprehensive evaluation, a Licensed Professional will conduct direct observations, review background information, and interview the client’s caregivers. Based on this, the team determines whether services are medically necessary and provides recommendations. This evaluation may include a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Skills Assessment performed by the BCBA. These assessments help identify the function of behaviors and any skill deficits that need to be addressed. The BCBA will then develop a tailored treatment plan to guide therapy.
4) Custom Care for Your Child
Once the plan is agreed upon a BCBA or RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) will work directly with your child and their family in one or more settings (home, school, and/or community). The RBT will implement the personalized treatment plan created by the BCBA. Throughout the process, the BCBA will oversee the RBT’s work to ensure compliance and adjust the treatment plan as needed to meet the child's evolving needs.
Okay, but what does all of this mean?
Parenting a child with developmental delays is its own, unique journey. There’s so much to learn and understand about your child, the challenges they’ll face, and the support they’ll need over the next few years. A little knowledge can go a long way in helping you feel prepared. Below, we’ve compiled a detailed resource that includes everything you need to know about ABA therapy as you start out on this new path
Key Principles of ABA:
Positive Reinforcement: ABA primarily uses positive reinforcement, where desired behaviors are rewarded to increase their likelihood of occurring again.
Behavior Modification: ABA aims to change behavior by understanding the relationship between a behavior and its environment and then implementing strategies to modify that relationship.
Individualized Approach: ABA therapy is tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals, ensuring that the intervention is relevant and effective.
Data-Driven: Progress in ABA therapy is tracked and measured, allowing for adjustments to the plan as needed.
Benefits of ABA Therapy:
Improved Social Interaction: ABA can help individuals with autism improve their social skills and interactions with others.
Enhanced Communication: ABA can teach individuals new communication skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication.
Reduced Challenging Behaviors: ABA can help reduce challenging behaviors, such as aggression or self-injury.
Increased Independence: ABA can help individuals gain independence in daily living skills, such as self-care and self-advocacy.
Improved Academic Performance: ABA can help individuals with autism improve their academic skills and performance in school.
How ABA Works:
Breaking Down Skills: ABA often breaks down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps, making them easier to learn.
Teaching Strategies: ABA employs various teaching strategies, such as Discrete Trial Training (DTT), where skills are taught in a structured, step-by-step manner.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET): ABA can also be implemented in natural environments, such as the home or school, to generalize skills to everyday situations.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): ABA begins with an FBA to understand the function or purpose of a behavior, which helps determine the most effective intervention strategies.
Modes of ABA Therapy:
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy is delivered through several key formats to meet the diverse needs of children and their families. The three primary modes include:
One-on-One Direct Therapy
Personalized sessions between the therapist and the child, focusing on targeted skills and behavior change.Therapy in Natural Social Environments
Sessions that take place in everyday settings—such as home, school, or community—to help children apply skills in real-life contexts.
Parent and Caregiver Training
Guided instruction, modeling, and support that empower caregivers to reinforce positive behaviors and teach important life skills outside of formal therapy sessions.
Pricing
Dr. Pamela Scretchen bills $200 an hour for her services.
Lyndsay Hayden bills $180 an hour for her services.
Additional 15 minutes = $54
Tiered Professional Advocacy:
Tier 1 - $120
Tier 2 - Virtual $150
Tier 3 - F2F Services $180
Functional Behavior Assessment - $2,000
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ABA services provided in-home aim to improve the quality of life for individuals by promoting positive behavior change, enhancing functional skills, fostering independence, and facilitating successful inclusion in various environments. These sessions take place within the client's home where the behavior analyst works closely with the individual, providing one-on-one instruction, positive reinforcement, and continuous data collection to track progress and make data-driven decisions. They also collaborate with family members and caregivers, providing training and support to ensure consistency and generalization of skills across various settings.
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Our team recognizes the unique challenges that families face when raising multiple children. Sibling services provide families with strategies to navigate sibling conflict and promote overall family harmony. This often looks like a team member woking directly with your children on their social skills, conflict resolution skills, and/or psychological flexibility. Our goal is to help your children better understand each other's behavior as a way to strengthen their relationship.
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School-based services are provided in your child's school and involve the application of behavior analytic principles and strategies to support students development. ABA services in schools aim to address specific behavioral goals identified in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or behavior plan, such as reducing problem behaviors, increasing social skills, improving academic performance, and enhancing self-help skills. The services may include direct instruction, behavior management techniques, data collection and analysis, collaboration with teachers and staff, and training for educators and caregivers to ensure consistency and generalization of skills across different school environments. The goal of school-based services is to promote the student's overall academic and social success, inclusion, and independence.