Examples of Programs
Services
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
A structured ABA technique that breaks down skills into small, “discrete” components. At BAB, the therapist teaches these skills one by one. Throughout sessions, therapist uses tangible reinforcements for desired behavior. For a child, this might include a toy or an edible. DTT can be taught in home, school, or community settings. Because discrete trials are often carried out in an intensive and repetitive fashion, quiet areas with limited distractions are often used.
Joint Attention
Research shows that many people diagnosed with autism have difficulty with joint attention, which is the ability to share focus on an object or area with another person. Children must learn that eye gaze and gestures can be used to get wants and needs met before they will learn to use words. Joint attention is part of our social skills curriculum and it’s one of the first programs we focus on at Build A Block. Examples of joint attention skills include following someone else’s gaze or pointed finger to look at something. The good news is that you can help teach joint attention to your child. We’ll show you how!
Token Economy (Conditioned Reinforcers)
Reinforcement is one of the most effective tools used in Applied Behavior Analysis. A token economy is one of many reinforcement options at BAB. A token economy works much the same way as the world economy. A child earns tokens by completing tasks or displaying desired behaviors. The tokens are then exchanged for something of value to the individual (known as a backup reinforcer).
A token economy is a system of positive reinforcement that can increase the frequency of desired behaviors. Reinforcement is one of the best ways to change your child’s behavior because it places attention on the behaviors you want to see more often.
Attending and Following Instructions
Attending is a learned behavior. Often parents teach it in a day to day basis. They teach it when they take their children to the movies and expect them to sit down for all or part of the movie. Teachers will also work on this skill, to make sure students are following instructions in a classroom setting. From an early age we focus on attending skills that prioritize all learning opportunities. This is a building block for success and could be worked on in so many different and fun ways.
Picture Activity Schedule
An activity schedule consists of pictures or words that describe a sequence of activities. Activity schedules may be created using photographs, pictures, written words, or physical objects. A picture schedule can be in a binder, on a white board, a Velcro strip, etc.
Frequently, the images are used to prepare the individual for the next activity, the next step of an activity or a sequence of activities.
A typical picture schedule uses images to show kids what they need to do to finish an activity or complete a routine. It also shows them the order to do things in. If kids miss a step, a picture schedule is an easy reminder that can prevent arguments.
Social Skills
At Build A Block, social skills training is a component of our therapy. Our therapists modify and personalize social skills training strategies to suit the age of the individual and the social skills being learned. For example, a small child with ASD may need social skills training to learn how to share his toys or not bite his friends, while an adolescent with ASD may need to develop the proper social skills to go out on a date or develop friendships. At BAB, we not only work on social skills on a one to one basis, but also provide social skills groups and social outings.