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What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) uses the science of behavioral principles and applies these principles to improve socially significant behavior (behavior that’s important to those in the individual’s environment). Master’s level clinicians, called Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), work with caregivers to identify behavioral needs and individualize interventions to work on these skills. Decades of research have demonstrated the efficacy of ABA in many populations! It has been used effectively in gerontology, in business settings, in mental health, and many other areas of need. The most well known application, however, is in the treatment of individuals diagnosed with autism. ABA is useful for improving meaningful behaviors in individuals at any age, by providing favorable outcomes to individuals for gradual changes in behavior. Utilizing evidence-based interventions, ABA has been effectively used to address many kinds of behavior, including but not limited to:
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Communication & Language Development
Conversation Skills, Asking and Answering Questions
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Social Skills
Initiating with and Responding to Peers
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Independent Living Skills
Dressing, Preparing Meals
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Toileting
Using a Toilet Independently
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Feeding
Reducing Food Selectivity, Self-Feeding
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Play Skills
Cooperative Play, Turn Taking
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Motor Skills
Sign Language, Holding Writing Utensils, Jumping, Throwing a Ball
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Academic Readiness Skills
Sitting for Circle Time, Writing Letters
Caregiver Involvement
Research has shown that when caregivers are more involved in treatment that clients experience better outcomes. This is likely because caregivers who are involved are able to implement ABA strategies when ABA staff are not present and help children learn to generalize their skills. Additionally, caregivers who are involved often may develop the tools necessary to respond appropriately to new challenges when they occur.
Ethical Treatment
BTI adheres to all BACB and BHCOE requirements for ethical treatment. As such, BTI commits to providing proper supervision and support to all staff. Additionally, BTI will only use practices that are in line with what current research shows to be best practice. We utilize the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP) and the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC ) standards for identifying empirically validated treatments. ABA interventions are on their list!
BTI will never condone, support, or participate in any treatments that are not shown to be evidence based (those treatments which do not have substantial scientific research proving they work) or those that are proven or suspected to be harmful to clients.
Check out the BHCOE’s resource for evaluating ABA providers for high quality services!
Translation Service
BTI has joined with the translation company Telelanguage to support clients whose primary language is not the same as their assigned staff. Through telephonic or video interpretation, clients and caregivers may ask questions about treatment goals or objectives and interact with staff without a language barrier.
Useful ABA Terminology
ABC Data
Data that ABA therapists take to help inform a hypothesis (that can later be tested) as to why inappropriate behavior is happening. By recording the Antecedent (A; what happens before the behavior), the Behavior (B; what the child does when misbehaving), and the Consequence (C; what happens after the child engages in the behavior), a BCBA can begin to form an idea as to why a behavior is happening and how to treat it.
Example: When a caregiver asks a BCBA to work on having their 6-year-old child tantrum less frequently, the BCBA asks the direct therapist to begin collecting ABC data to begin the process of figuring out why the child tantrums.
Behavior
Anything someone says or does, good or bad, positive or negative.
Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT)
The process of teaching that involves quick trials of different skills, where the child is rewarded for correct responding and is taught positively to respond correctly whenever they make mistakes. This style of teaching is more often used for brand new skills or with learners who struggle to learn when there are many distractions.
Example: When the therapist is teaching the child to associate “moo” with a cow, the therapist presents 4 pictures of farm animals on the table and says, “Touch the one that says, ‘moo’”. The therapist presents praise or a preferred toy if the child touches the cow. If the child touches a different animal, the therapist shows the child how to respond correctly and allows them to try again.
Generalization
When a behavior begins to occur in environments in which it did not previously or with people with whom the behavior did not occur previously. Generalization may occur spontaneously, but it is best when it planned for during the learning process.
Example: A child who learned to count to 20 at preschool begins counting at home, as well. A child that learned to ask for water at home begins to ask for water at preschool, too.
Intermittent Reinforcement
Providing reinforcement for some, but not all instances of a behavior. This makes the behavior stronger because the learner does not know when it will be reinforced and makes the behavior less likely to disappear when reinforcement stops.
Example: A child that raises her hand only gets called on about once every 4 times she raises it. As a result, she is more motivated to raise her hand because she is unsure when the teacher will call on her.
Mand
The verbal behavior term for a request. This is typically the first verbal behavior taught for early learners and is used to show them that their words have meaning and can help them meet their wants and needs. Mands can occur vocally, or through sign language or an augmentative communication device.
Example: A child is taught to say “tickle” to get mom, dad, or the therapist to deliver tickles when they ask.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
The process of teaching children to generalize skills to different situations by setting up opportunities or using natural opportunities to practice. This type of teaching is most often used when children have practiced a skill but are not yet applying it in different environments or with different people.
Example: A child calls a ball a “ball” when 3 specific pictures are presented but does not know what to say when shown a 3D objects that are balls (e.g., basketball, baseball, etc.). During recess, the therapist prompts and reinforces calling these different kinds of balls “ball” as well.
Pairing
The process of associating a certain item or person (e.g., therapist) with items or activities the child enjoys so that the child enjoys the item or person more as a result.
Example: When a new therapist is starting with a child, the therapist brings novel, highly preferred toys to play with the child. Later, the child looks forward to the therapist coming.
PEAK
Acronym for Promoting Emergence of Advanced Knowledge. The PEAK curriculum focuses not only teaching direct skills that children need to navigate their environment, but also teaching children how to learn new skills without them having to be specifically taught. PEAK addresses skills for learners of all ages.
Reinforcement
Delivering something favorable, or removing something unfavorable, after a behavior to increase that behavior in the future
Example: While learning to initiate play with peers, a child asks a peer to play with her and gets access to her favorite toys. Afterward, she asks peers to play with her more often.
Shaping
The process of teaching a behavior the child current cannot do by reinforcing parts of the behavior as it more closely approximates the target behavior.
Example: A child has never urinated on the toilet. Initially, the therapist reinforces the child approaching the bathroom, then reinforces the child sitting on the toilet, and finally reinforces urinating on the toilet.
Tact
The verbal behavior term for labeling or commenting something that you can sense. Tacts are taught and reinforced by social praise and attention.
Example: A child points to the sky and says, “The sky is cloudy today.” The child’s Ethical treatment
Why Choose ABA?
ABA is the most well-researched treatment for individuals with Autism. ABA considers the individual need of each child and tailors interventions to the way each child learns best. Due to the interventions used in ABA being based on a well-researched science of behavior, a vast range of skills of can be targeted with ABA. Additionally, BCBAs work with caregivers to develop skills to help teach their children new tasks and create plans for how caregivers should respond to challenging behavior.
To be credentialed as BCBAs, individuals must go through a rigorous curriculum covering a large task lists of skills a Behavior Analyst should have. This required training and continuing education prepare them to address such a wide range of behaviors and develop robust treatment plans to help children make as much progress as possible.
ABA focuses on existing strengths and leveraging these strengths to help the child make more progress. ABA focuses on teaching children the skills they need to increase their independence into adulthood. Additionally, ABA works on self-advocacy, so children can communicate their own needs and wants.
Click the button below to start your ABA journey with BTI!
What Do Services Look Like?
ABA services begin with an inquiry. After connecting with our Admission specialist, your insurance is verified for ABA coverage and reviewed with you. After confirming your interest in ABA from BTI, you are placed on the Contact List and called monthly to stay in touch. Admittance in a BTI program will begin with an Intake appointment where your clinical information and needs are reviewed to make sure ABA and BTI are a good fit for you.
From there, you are paired with a BCBA who will develop your treatment plan, which includes consultation from caregivers on goals and intervention. This Treatment Plan will be reviewed with you, and once approved, will be submitted to your insurance company for authorization. Upon review and approval from the insurance company, you are officially a BTI client and ready to start ABA services!
ABA services are most frequently delivered by a one-to-one behavior technician. At BTI, all behavior technicians are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). They are required to go through specific training in the science of behavior and maintain their credential through competency checks and continuing education (which is required by BTI, but not all agencies require continuing education for their RBTs).
While the RBT implements the treatment plan during each session, a BCBA develops the treatment plan, including consultation from caregivers on goals and interventions, and provides frequent supervision to the RBT. Additionally, the BCBA conducts caregiver training to review skills for caregivers and review and report on the child’s progress each month.
Depending on the age of your child and their current skills, services may involve more play and social skill development, more work on specific logic and pre-academic skills, or a mixture of both. BCBAs and RBTs work hard to ensure that they form positive relationships with their clients, so they look forward to therapy and find it rewarding.
What are BTI’s Service Delivery Models?
BTI provides services in home/community, center, and school settings.
Home/Community
Behavior Therapy International originally launched by serving clients in home, school, and community settings. The Home/Community program address skills and behaviors in the home, school, and/or the community (e.g. daycare, grocery store, park, etc.). Behaviors addressed in these settings can range from social skills to school readiness skills, or daily living skills like toilet training and feeding. We go wherever support is needed and the client’s insurance allows!
Center
BTI Center Services program supports children ages 2-6 years in a center-based setting. Just like in the home/community program, services will target the skills identified in their individualized treatment plan. Additionally, the center runs on a curriculum developed specifically for BTI. This curriculum incorporates the best parts of Greg Hanley’s Preschool Life Skills, Promoting Emergence of Advanced Knowledge (PEAK), and Patrick McGreevy’s Essentials for Living. These services focus on developing social skills and getting children ready for kindergarten.
School
BTI School Services program provides the unique opportunity for School Districts and Cyber School systems to contract with BTI and bring our highly-trained RBTs and BCBAs to support the needs of the school. Our staff assist teachers, aids and students through behavioral support and consultation. Functional Behavior Assessments and VB Mapp evaluations are also available.
Insurance
Navigating insurance is confusing, stressful, and time consuming. At BTI, we have a team ready and happy to help you navigate insurance coverage for ABA services!
We accept the following major insurance plans
Understanding ABA coverage and your insurance can be tricky. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions below!
What insurance does BTI accept?
BTI accepts Aetna, BCBS, Capital BlueCross, Geisigner, Highmark, Magellan, Optum, Quest, United HealthCare, UPMC, and PA Medical Assistance (through the Managed Care Organization).
Is ABA covered by my insurance?
Employer groups located in Pennsylvania with 51+ employees are required to cover ABA for anyone under 21 years old with a diagnosis of Autism. It is highly recommended you call your insurance company and/or speak to your employer about ABA coverage.
How does BTI evaluate insurance coverage?
After your initial inquiry, a BTI team member will call your insurance company to see if ABA is a covered benefit. We will then call you back and talk with you about ABA coverage and what costs may apply!
What is ABA going to cost me?
Depending on your insurance plan, you will be responsible for any out-of-pocket costs such as your deductible, copayment, and coinsurance. If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover ABA, private payment rates are available upon request.
What diagnosis is required for ABA to be coveredby my insurance?
F84.0 – Autism Spectrum Disorder! Insurance requires a formal diagnostic report with the test administered to prove the diagnosis.
How many hours of ABA will my insurance pay for?
Although it does vary by plan, the number of hours that are covered by insurance is determined upon the assessments completed by your BCBA/BAA and what the insurance company deems meets medical necessity.
What is the difference between Medical Assistance (MA) and Commercial Insurance?
Medical Assistance is funded by the state while commercial insurance is funded by your employer group.
Does BTI accept Medical Assistance (MA)?
YES! BTI accepts Medical Assitance and is in network with PerformCare, the Managed Care Organization for clients residing in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Perry counties. Out-of-network coverage may be obtained for residents of York County through Community Care Behavioral Health.
I have commercial insurance as primary and MA as secondary; do I have to go with a provider who takes both insurances?
If you would like to use Medical Assistance, your ABA provider must accept both your primary commercial insurance and your secondary Medical Assistance insurance.
What payment options are available?
To relieve some of the immediate burden of commercial insurance-only or private pay ABA services, BTI allows payment plans and has a dedicated Financial Specialist to contact for any billing questions. Medical Assistance currently covers 100% of services and all clients with a beahvioral health diagnosis in Pennsylvnia qualify for Medical Assistance.
I'm interested in BTI, but my insurance isn't accepted. Can BTI help?
Fill out a Contact Us form and we will connect you with additional providers and community resources to support your search for ABA!