Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for Autism

At Integrity, we pride ourselves on treating the whole child and the whole family! We are not the largest ABA provider, and we never will be. We like it that way. We maintain a small client base and promise to give those children the best we have to give, supporting their families, and providing the best, most individualized therapy possible.

Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, uses the science of learning and motivation to improve socially important behaviors. The core concept is that our environment influences our behavior and there is always a reason to why we do what we do. It is often mislabeled as autism therapy. However, the science of ABA is used in a variety of settings and with a variety of people. ABA today should look natural and fun. Our focus is not on ”changing people” but on promoting optimal environments for change. The use of reinforcement is critical to the process and allows us to make learning fun for your child. It’s important to note that positive reinforcement does not mean “rewards.”

Our approach to ABA therapy focuses on the child’s motivation and interests. We utilize a child’s natural motivation and the environment to spark learning opportunities. Therapy is always individualized to the learner and their specific strengths, barriers, and values. This creates meaningful change for each child and family. New skills are developed by breaking goals down into very small parts and utilizing positive reinforcement to encourage growth.

ABA is endorsed by the US Surgeon General as an effective treatment for autism. It is a data driven methodology so we can see in real time if what we are doing is working and make changes as needed. It’s our job to figure out how the child and family learns best and to allow collaborative decision making. This individualized approach helps us to create programs that build on a child’s strengths and also use those strengths to develop any weaknesses With every client and family, our main goal is to enable independence and maximize potential in every client and family we serve.

Our approach focuses on the environment and WHY the child is engaging in these types of problem behaviors. In many instances a problem behavior coincides with a skill deficit such as the inability to communicate or a task is too challenging. With that said, we always ask the question, what should this learner be doing instead of engaging in these problem behaviors and then we teach those replacement skills.. Each child’s BCBA creates an individualized behavior intervention plan (BIP) that focuses on preventing and responding to the behavior. In the event that a child engages in dangerous behavior, we utilize QBS Safety-Care™ to train staff on crisis management, including physical safety and physical management procedures. Integrity even has a Safety Care Trainer™ who trains our team and monitors all procedures. This program provides the skills and competencies necessary to effectively prevent, minimize, and manage challenges with dignity, safety, and the possibility of change.

We specialize in providing early intervention and work with children from the time they are diagnosed up to age 7. We support current clients past age 7, but we do not accept new clients over the age of 7 at this time. Starting early treatment of children younger than 36 months has been shown to result in positive outcomes

You can be referred by your child’s primary care physician, neurologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, first steps provider, the school district, or you can come and receive an assessment without any referral at all. Most insurance companies require a letter of medical necessity to pay for services. Do not worry, we will help you obtain all of the necessary paperwork and guide you through the process.

Thanks to the Autism Mandate in Indiana, ABA therapy is often covered by your health insurance if your child has a diagnosis of autism. If the plan you have does not cover ABA, we will work with you in finding alternative means of covering the costs associated with ABA therapy. Integrity is an in-network provider for many popular insurance companies including Medicaid, and can provide you with a free insurance check to see if your policy covers ABA which does not obligate you in any way.