What is Applied Behavior Analysis? Applied behavior analysis is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior (Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1968; Sulzer-Azaroff & Mayer, 1991).   "Socially significan behaviors" include reading, academics, social skills, communication, and adaptive living skills.  Adaptive living skills include gross and fine motor skills, eating and food preparation, toileting, dressing, personal self-care, domestic skills, time and punctuality, money and value, home and community orientation, and work skills.  ABA methods are used to support persons with autism in at least six ways: 1.  to increase behaviors; 2.  to teach new skill; 3.  to maintain behaviors; 4.  to generalize or to transfer behavior from one situation or response to      another; 5.  to restrict or narrow conditions under which interfering behaviors occur;      and   6.  to reduce interfering behaviors.   Evaluating ABA Programs  There are many ABA providers and often parents do not known which provider is the best one for their child.  Numerous providers claim to have expertise in the field of autism.  Though a provider may have ABA training, it is very important that the provider also have experience with the autism population and can develop an individualized program for your child.  Here are some suggested program guidelines to follow: Individualized Programming ·         Does the provider work within the child’s areas of strength? ·         Are adaptations to the curriculum made when needed? ·         Avoidance of “cook book” programming”.  ·         Does the agency incorporate the latest research findings into their       treatment plans?   Emphasis on Generalization ·         Does generalization work begin immediately? ·         Is there an emphasis to generalize skills across people? ·         Is there an emphasis to generalize the way instructions are given? ·         Is there an emphasis to generalize skills across learning       environments? ·         Is there a push to transition to a naturally occurring reinforcement       schedule?   Supervision ·         Is regular supervision considered crucial to the program success? ·         Are behavioral excesses and reductive strategies reviewed at each       supervisory meeting? ·         Is school progress reviewed and are there shadowing goals       outlined? ·         Are all drills reviewed and demonstrated at each supervisory       meeting? ·         Are the children’s programs adapted to their individual needs? ·         Are the necessary referrals provided when needed?   Intensity & Consistency ·         Are the hours recommended consistent with research findings? ·         Are steps taken to ensure consistency? Ø  Parent / Nanny / Extended Family Training Ø  Frequent Consultation with School Staff Ø  Frequent Consultation with other providers   Acknowledgment of Biomedical Factors Impacting Treatment ·         Are parents encouraged to explore medical treatments? ·         Is information regarding dietary changes provided? ·         Are pre-screened referrals provided when necessary?   Specialized Programs for Particular Learners ·         Are Social Skills Training / Executive Function Training / Theory       of Mind Work part of the program? ·         Is adequate programming for non-verbal children available if       needed? ·         Are other programs brought in to aide the child’s pattern of       acquisition (PECS, Social Stories, etc.)  The above information has been taken from The Report of the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC )Autism Task Force (2000)   Abstracts/Studies Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4 to 7 Year Old Children With Autism: A 1-Year Comparison Controlled Study By Svein Eikeseth-Akershus College, Tristram Smith-University of Rochester, Erik Jahr and Sigmund Eldevik-Akershus Central Hospital Outcome for Children With Autism Who Began Intensive Behavioral Treatment Between Ages 4 and 7: A Comparison Controlled Study By Svein Eikeseth, Akershus University College, Norway, Tristram Smith, University of Rochester, NY, Erik Jahr, Akershus University Hospital, Norway and Sigmund Eldevik, Nordvoll School & Autism Centre, Norway Early Intensive Behavioral Treatment:  Replication the UCLA Model in a Community Setting By Howard Cohen, PhD,Valley Mountain Regional Center, Stockton, CA, Mila Amerine, Dickens, M.S., Central Valley Autism Project, Modesto, CA and Tristram Smith, PhD., Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY Outcome of comprehensive psycho-educational interventions for young children with autism By Svein Eikeseth, Akershus University College, Norway Report of the Surgeon General - Executive Summary Chapter 3: Autism ABA Therapists in Tennessee Leigh Grannan, MS, BCBA Phone: 615-974-4840 Email: leighkg@hotmail.com www.toilettrainingkids.net Cheatham County Behavioral Consulting Associates, Inc. Davidson County ABA Nashville, LLC. Kate Rauscher, M.S.Ed, BCBA Nashville, TN  37211 Phone: 615-442-7988 Email: kate@abanashville.com    Autism & Behavior Consulting Services, LLC  Jane Lott, Owner 4731 Trousdale Dr., Suite 14  Nashville, TN 37220  Phone: 615-331-1141  Fax: 615-331-1142  Email: jane@abcservicesllc.net  Kari Gray Advance Beyond Autism  Provides autism consulting services and aba therapy services Phone: 615-415-3517 Email: kathrynmgray@comcast.net  Mariposa Behavioral Health Services Jenne Nesbitt-Decker 208 Dockside Court Hermitage, TN  37066 Phone: 615-519-1160 Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt Division of Developmental Medicine and Cognition 11204 Doctors' Office Tower 2200 Children's Way Nashville, TN 37232-9903 Contact: Jordan McLain, M.Ed. Behavior Consultant Nashville, TN 37232 Dept. of Pediatrics-Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Phone: 615-936-0249 Fax: 615-936-8064 Email: jordan.e.mclain@vanderbilt.edu The Brown Center for Autism 2702 Greystone Road Nashville, TN 32702 Phone: 615-385-7994 Fax: 615-385-7996 Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development  Behavior Analysis Clinic at Vanderbilt Nea Houchins, M.A. 18010 Edgehill Avenue Nashville, TN 37232 Phone: 615-322-9007 Email:  n.houchins-juarez@vanderbilt.edu Vanderbilt Kennedy Center 406 MRL Building 21st and Magnolia Circle Nashville, TN 37203 Phone: 615-322-8239 Dickson County Behavioral Consulting Associates, Inc. Fayette County Behavioral Counseling & Services, LLC  Dr. Michael Rohr 550 Lazenby Drive Somerville, TN 38068 Phone: 901-466-9226 Email: info@behavioralcounselingservices.com Hamilton County Autism and Behavior Services 3309 Cummings Hwy Suite E-1 Chattanooga, TN 37419 Phone: 423-386-5355 Contacts: Co-Director, Jenni Hampton Email: jennidhampton@charter.net Co-Director,Laura Forkum-Berryhill, M.Ed, BCBA Email: laura.forkum@gmail.com Knox County Behavior Consultants 601 Concord Street Suite 114 Knoxville, TN 37919 Phone: 865-523-6273 Kim Cooper Consulting Kim Cooper-Brown M.S., Ed., BCBA 1221 Appaloosa Way Knoxville, TN 37922 Phone: 773-706-7494 Email: kcooperconsulting@hotmail.com Parent-Child Services Group, Inc. Lynne F. Harmon, M.A., CCC-SLP 1225 E. Weisgarber Road Suite 180 South Knoxville, TN 37090 Phone: 865-584-5558 Fax: 865-584-6607 Email: lynneellen@aol.com Montgomery County Behavioral Consulting Associates, Inc. 136 Dartmoore Drive Clarksville, TN 37043 Phone: 931-368-1660 Email: help@behaviorsupport.org Robertson County Behavioral Consulting Associates, Inc. Rutherford County Felicia K. Burk, M.Ed. (Behavior/Autism Consultant) 3024 Silver Springs Court Murfreesboro, TN 37128 Phone:  615-896-0505 Fax: 615-217-0700 Email: burkf@comcast.net  River Oaks Leaning Center Contact: Julie Allison or Amy Laird Phone: 615-594-4840 Email: juliea1998@aol.com Shelby County The Autism Solution Center, Inc. 9282 Cordova Park Road Cordova, TN Phone: 901-759-8288 Email: info@autismsolutioncenter.com  Weakley County WTN Applied Behavior Analysis, LLC Laura Plunk, BCBA 109 Ramer Street Martin, TN 32837 Phone: 731-819-2417 Email: wtnaba@yahoo.com Williamson County  ABA Nashville, LLC. Kate Rauscher, M.S.Ed, BCBA Nashville, TN  37211 Phone: 615-442-7988 Email: kate@abanashville.com  Carrie B. Camp, M.A., BCBA Camp Behavioral P.O. Box 682371 Franklin, TN  37068 Phone:  615-772-3245 Email:  carrie@campbehavioral.com In-home aba therapy serving Williamson County and parts of Davidson and Rutherford Counties.  Dian R Bridges, BCBA 175 Broadwell Cir Franklin, TN 37067 Phone (615) 778-9101 Cell (615) 513-6924 Email:  DBrdgs@aol.com  ABA Therapists in Kentucky Christian County Behavioral Consulting Associates, Inc. Logan County Behavioral Consulting Associates, Inc. Todd County Behavioral Consulting Associates, Inc. ABA Courses To Purchases: Maximum Potential Kids Atlanta, GA Toll Free: 877-629-7654 (USA Only) Email: info@maximumpotentialkids.com Maximum Potential Kids provides training courses to empower parents, teachers and caregivers with the ability to provide at home or at school ABA therapy.