What to Expect During Your Child’s ABA Initial Assessment
At Golden State we understand that navigating the steps after receiving your child’s diagnosis can be difficult. The initial ABA assessment differs from your child’s diagnostic evaluation in that it is a behavior and skills assessment. During the assessment our team works one on one with your learner to observe their communication, social interactions and independence with developmentally appropriate task demands. From this assessment we will be able to identify skill areas needing to be taught and focused on as goals within your child’s ABA program.
The initial assessment is conducted in our clinic by a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA), thus providing a neutral setting to observe your child’s current repertoire of skills. The BCBA will begin the assessment by getting to know your child and engaging with items they enjoy; this helps correlate themselves with items, activities, and actions that are fun and exciting.
During the assessment, the BCBA will use various assessment tools such as the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) or the Assessment of Functional Living Skills (AFLS) amongst others, to observe your learner’s communication, social interactions and overall compliance with task demands. The assessing behavior analyst will also conduct an interview with parent/ caregivers in order to gather information about your child’s behavior, communication and social skills at home and in community. Additionally, we will discuss what your and your family’s primary concerns are, as well as how to prioritize these goals in therapy.
An initial assessment can take anywhere from 2-3 hours. Once this assessment is completed, the results are summarized in a treatment plan which is sent to your insurance provider for their review and authorization for treatment. From there, your child is ready to start ABA!
Our team works diligently with families and insurance providers to insure a smooth and comfortable transition into therapy. We would love to have a conversation with you or someone you know to help provide additional direction. Please feel free to visit our website or give us a call for additional information.