Applied Behavior Analysis
The mission of Applied Behavioral Intervention Services (ABIS) at the Thompson Center is to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism through evidence-based, individualized behavioral treatment and professional training.
Applied Behavioral Intervention Services (ABIS)
The mission of Applied Behavioral Intervention Services (ABIS) at the Thompson Center is to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with autism through evidence-based, individualized behavioral treatment and professional training.
We are committed to staying at the forefront of the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) by referencing and contributing to new discoveries.
At ABIS, we offer individualized behavioral therapies in a clinical setting, providing personalized support and care to help individuals with autism thrive and reach their full potential. Our dedicated team is driven by the desire to create meaningful and lasting positive change in the lives of those we serve.
Who does ABIS serve?
Individuals between the ages of 18 months and 22 years who have a diagnosis of autism, neurodevelopmental disorder, or other health condition that affects development and results in concerns in the following areas:
- Language & communication
- Social skills
- Play skills
- Self-help skills, such as toileting and feeding
- Problem behaviors, including but not limited to:
- Difficulty following directions
- Repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily routines
- Self-injury
- Aggression
- Property destruction
- Elopement
What are typical services provided by ABIS?
- Behavioral assessment
- Development of individualized treatment plans
- Training for parents/caregivers to implement treatment plans
- Follow-up to monitor and adjust treatment plans
Are ABIS services covered by insurance?
Applied Behavioral Intervention Services at the Thompson Center are covered by most insurance programs, including Medicaid, if the patient has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. These services are rarely covered without an autism diagnosis. Contact your insurance provider for detailed coverage information.
How can I get started?
Fill out our online referral form or ask your pediatrician or other provider to determine if your child would benefit from these services.
Read more below to learn more about the services our ABIS division offers.
Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI)
The Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI) team provides long-term, in-clinic services for individuals with autism by teaching new skills to minimize or eliminate their challenging behavior. The therapeutic approach used in the IBI service is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Interventions are comprehensive, developmentally-based, and individualized.
Who is IBI for?
- Children ages 18 months to 8 years old
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, or developmental delay
- Significant delays or concerns in three or more of the following areas:
- Language (speech, receptive language, or communication)
- Social skills
- Emotional regulation
- Behavior
- Adaptive skills
- Play skills
What are typical services provided in IBI?
- Broad Skills-Based Assessment: Natural environment observations, structured skills assessments, functional assessments for challenging behavior, and reports that include individualized recommendations, treatment plans, and objectives
- Initial Training: For parents, caregivers, teachers, and specialists to implement the child’s intervention plan and appropriate strategies
- Ongoing Follow-Up: Continued training, data analysis, and consultation to monitor and adjust intervention efforts
How are IBI services structured?
- Patients work 1:1 with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in a clinic environment in order to teach new skills and reduce negative behavior. Patients are required to attend sessions for a minimum of eight hours per week.
- Services are supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
- Monthly team meetings and parent trainings are conducted with relevant caregivers.
Severe Behavior Clinic (SBC)
The Severe Behavior Clinic (SBC) provides clinic-based, intensive services based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) for patients who engage in severe self-injurious behavior, aggression, and/or property destruction.
The primary focus of SBC is to identify the causes of problem behavior through precise functional behavioral assessments and using that information to develop behavioral interventions. Caregivers will participate in the assessment and treatment process so growth from the clinic can be transferred to home and school.
What are common behaviors targeted by SBC programs?
- Self-injurious behaviors such as hand-to-head hitting, head-banging, self-biting, and scratching
- Aggressive behaviors such as hitting, kicking, biting, grabbing, and pushing
- Property destruction such as throwing objects, banging on surfaces, and breaking items
Who is SBC for?
- Patients ages 2-22 years old
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, or developmental delay
- Chronic behavioral concerns that may:
- Leave the patient and caregivers at imminent risk of injury
- Interfere with the patient’s ability to attend school
- Leave the patient at risk for alternative educational or residential placement
What are typical services provided in SBC?
- Functional Behavioral Assessment: Using the most precise method of identifying the variables maintaining the problem behavior
- Intervention: Developing function-based interventions and training parents and other caregivers and/or educators to apply appropriate strategies, including shaping alternative, more appropriate behaviors to replace problem behaviors
- Follow-Up: Continued caregiver training, including monitoring and adjusting the intervention plan based on caregiver data collection
How long can a patient expect to participate in SBC?
SBC programs are highly individualized and vary greatly from patient to patient. SBC patients are typically in the clinic for 6 hours per week and may utilize services for 6-12 months.
Behavioral Parent Training (BPT)
Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) provides clinic-based, short-term services for parents/caregivers of patients who engage in concerning behaviors and/or are lacking important skills. The primary focus of BPT is to train caregivers to apply interventions outside of the clinical setting that reduce or eliminate behaviors of concern and increase appropriate behaviors. The therapeutic approach used in BPT at the Thompson Center is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA).
What behaviors are commonly targeted by BPT programs?
- Problem behaviors
- Inappropriate comments, conversation, or vocalizations
- Self-injury, aggression, and property destruction
- Skill development
- Following instructions
- Communication and language
- Social and play skills
- Waiting, sharing, transitions, and community outings
- Daily living skills such as dressing, toileting, eating, and cleaning
Who is BPT for?
Parents/caregivers of…
- Patients ages 2-22 years old
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, or developmental delay
- Display concerning behavior(s) or skill deficits which may:
- Negatively impact family life
- Interfere with their ability to learn
- Compromise their safety or the safety of others
- Prevent them from reaching a greater level of independence
What are typical services provided in BPT?
- Functional Behavioral Assessment: Conducting a caregiver interview first to determine skill deficits or problem behavior concerns, followed by a corresponding skills or behavioral assessment based on the concern
- Intervention: Develop function-based interventions based on assessment results and train caregivers to apply appropriate strategies; caregivers review treatment protocols with staff and spend time implementing the protocols in the clinic while receiving feedback
- Follow-Up: Caregivers are provided with an exit report with recommendations for ongoing treatment upon completion of BPT services
How long do BPT services take?
The intervention stage of BPT consists of twice-weekly sessions for approximately 8 weeks.
Intensive Toilet Training
Intensive Toilet Training at the Thompson Center is a hands-on training for children and their parents/caregivers to utilize therapeutic principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in order to successfully use the toilet for urination and bowel movements.
Who is Intensive Toilet Training for?
- Patients ages 2-22 years old
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, or developmental delay
- Incontinent or lack bladder/bowel control
…and their parents/caregivers!
What are typical services provided in Intensive Toilet Training?
- Toilet Training Assessment: Used to determine appropriateness of toilet training protocol for urinary incontinence, and includes a parent/caregiver interview and review of toilet training protocol
- In-Clinic Intensive Day: Full day of intensive toilet training at the Thompson Center during which caregivers are trained to apply appropriate strategies, including following a toileting schedule and collecting data
- Follow-Up: Daily phone consultations for two weeks to provide continued caregiver training, including monitoring and adjusting schedule based on caregiver data collection
- School Consultation: Used to ensure consistency of toilet training protocol across all settings
Intensive Skills Acquisition Program (ISAP)
The Intensive Skill Acquisition Program (ISAP) provides in-clinic services for patients by helping parents/caregivers teach them new skills and minimize or eliminate concerning behaviors. The therapeutic approach used in ISAP is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Interventions are comprehensive, developmentally-based, and individualized.
Who is ISAP for?
- Patients ages 8-18 years old
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, or developmental delay
- Significant delays or concerns in one or more of the following areas:
- Language (speech, receptive language, or communication)
- Behavior
- Adaptive skills
- Leisure skills
What are typical services provided in ISAP?
- Broad Skills-Based Assessment: Natural environment observations, structured skills assessments, functional assessments for challenging behavior, and reports that include individualized recommendations, treatment plans, and objectives
- Caregiver Training: For parents, caregivers, teachers, and specialists, who will implement the child’s intervention plan and appropriate strategies
- Ongoing Follow-Up: Continued training, data analysis, and consultation to monitor and adjust intervention efforts
How are ISAP services structured?
- Patients work 1:1 with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) three times per week in a clinic environment in order to teach new skills and reduce negative behavior
- Services are supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Caregivers meet with Thompson Centers staff for training sessions at least twice per month
- Short-term service plan will be reviewed after 6 months to determine need to continue services
Learn more about our group ABA therapy program, Leaps Ahead, on our group interventions page.
Learn more about Life Skills Group on our group interventions page.
Functional Analysis Clinic (FAC)
The Functional Analysis Clinic (FAC) provides an intensive two-day, clinic-based assessment for children, adolescents, and young adults who engage in severe self-injurious behavior, aggression, and property destruction.
The primary focus of FAC is to identify the causes of problem behavior through functional analysis procedures, use that information to generate treatment recommendations, and collaborate with caregivers and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in the patient’s local community to implement the plan. The therapeutic approach used in FAC is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA).
Who is FAC for?
- Patients ages 2-22 years old
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder, or developmental delay
- Eligible to receive services from a local BCBA
- Chronic behavioral concerns that may:
- Leave the patient and caregivers at imminent risk of injury
- Interfere with the patient’s ability to attend school
- Leave the patient at risk for alternative educational or residential placement
What are typical services provided in FAC?
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
- Other assessments which will drive treatment recommendations, such as:
- Preference assessments
- Demand assessments
- Competing stimulus assessments
- Reinforcer assessments
- Treatment Evaluation
- Follow-Up:
- Assessment report will be disseminated to parents, caregivers, and the local BCBA coordinating the treatment implementation
- Collaboration with the team will be coordinated by the FAC in order to assist in the generalization of the treatment recommendations made based on the results of the functional analysis
What behaviors are commonly addressed with FAC?
- Self-injurious behaviors such as hand-to-head hitting, head banging, self-biting, and scratching
- Aggressive behaviors such as hitting, kicking, grabbing, and pushing
- Property destruction including throwing, banging on, or breaking objects
What is ABA?
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a systematic approach used to understand, modify, and evaluate behavior. In ABA, the term “applied” indicates that the behavioral goals and targets are socially relevant and meaningful.
The core of ABA is centered around the interactions between behavior and environmental factors. By examining and analyzing these interactions, ABA practitioners can develop effective strategies to promote positive behavior change and improve the lives of individuals with autism and other developmental conditions.
The ultimate goal of ABA is to foster meaningful progress and success in various areas of an individual’s life, supporting them in reaching their full potential and enhancing their overall well-being.
What is a BCBA?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a professional who has completed graduate-level training in behavior analysis. A BCBA develops and implements behavior interventions. Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) may also assist a BCBA in implementing clinical intervention services.
Is ABA supported by research?
Yes, ABA is strongly supported by research. The principles and techniques of ABA have been developed and refined based on more than 50 years of scientific evidence and research. ABA has been widely studied and applied in various settings, including education, healthcare, and community settings, consistently showing positive outcomes for individuals with autism and other developmental conditions.
Numerous research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ABA in improving communication, social skills, adaptive behavior, and reducing challenging behaviors.
Learn more about ABA at the Thompson Center on Supporting the Spectrum:
Season 1, Episode 8: ABA and EIBI: Demystifying the Acronyms
Season 1, Episode 14: Toilet Training
Season 1, Episode 20: Severe Behavior Clinic
Season 1, Episode 28: The ABA Controversy