FAQs

The process typically unfolds in the following steps:

• 1. You fill out an initial contact form here
  2. A phone discussion is scheduled to cover the following:
     • Schedule an in-person meeting
     • Discuss insurance process/co-pays
     • Discuss brief overview of programming goals provided by you (the parent)
  3. An in-person meeting (informal assessment) is conducted
     • The Clinical Director will take this time to learn more about the child, discuss goals you have for your child, what past services you have had, and more
     • The Clinical Director will ask questions which will help provide an understanding of the child’s current abilities and skill levels 
     • You will schedule a formal assessment (VB-MAPP; ABLLS-R; AFLLS, etc.) for a later date
     • Discuss availability for weekly therapy times if and when services begin
     • Sign all documents and paperwork for insurance  
  4. Complete a Formal Assessment
  5. Have an in-person meeting to discuss the formal assessment and finalize therapy schedule
  6. Start regular therapy sessions
     • The number of therapy sessions per week and the length of each therapy session will be based on the information gathered during the formal and informal assessments
     • ABA is most effective when performed on a consistent weekly basis

Gorge Behavior Solutions primarily works with clients between the ages of 2-12 years.  These ages can vary based on insurance regulations and the child’s needs.  For children outside of the “covered” age ranges, Gorge Behavior Solutions may be able to provide services through private pay means and other forms of consultation.

Please fill out the form on our contact page and a member of our staff will reach out to you within two to three business days.  If for any reason your child cannot be seen, Gorge Behavior Solutions will do our best to provide you with an appropriate reference.

Gorge Behavior Solutions accepts many major insurance providers, all of who cover ABA services for children with an autism diagnosis.

Gorge Behavior Solutions will assist clients with the insurance process to ensure that the services provided will be covered under their insurance provider.  Prior to initiating services, Gorge Behavior Solutions will ensure that the family is fully aware of the costs that will be incurred and will develop a payment plan for covering those costs, if needed.

The number of therapy hours per week your child requires will depend on their abilities in certain skill areas. Typical ABA therapy recommendations range from 15-30 hours per week – all of which are covered by insurance.

Your child’s needs will be evaluated during a formal assessment. Gorge Behavior Solutions will complete the assessment in order to make a recommendation on how many hours of therapy your child should receive once the initial assessment is completed.

The intensity of services can be adjusted as the child gains new skills, and is re-evaluated routinely throughout your child’s treatment. Studies show that when children receive 30 hours of ABA services per week at two years of age, they may be mainstreamed into a class with typically developing peers by the age of five.

A typical therapy session may last for two to four hours, depending on your child’s needs. At the start of each session, the therapist will arrive at your home and talk with you about your child’s day so far. This may include sleep habits, any unusual behavior, any new skills demonstrated in the past week, and any other viable information you may feel is important for the therapist to know.

The therapist will then proceed to the therapy area to begin instruction. Your child will receive frequent planned “reinforcement” breaks throughout each session, and there may be multiple opportunities to teach your child within these reinforcement breaks. This allows your child to learn even while playing, making the therapy experience fun and enjoyable for everyone.

The session will end with the therapist finalizing notes to document the session’s progress and with a follow-up conversation with you to keep you informed on the day’s therapy and overall progress.

There are several assessment programs we have at our disposal – but each assessment starts with a conversation with you, the child’s family. We will ask you questions about your child‘s developmental history and any concerns you may have. We’ll also review any outside assessments that have been completed by other providers and your child’s school. This information will help us choose which assessment we will use.  The assessments we use include:

• VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior – Milestone Assessment and Placement Program, developed by Dr. Mark Sundberg)
• ABLLS-R (Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills, developed by Dr. James Partington)
• AFLS (Assessment of Functional Living Skills, developed by Dr. James Partington)
• FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is considered the standard of care for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

ABA therapy is rooted in the scientific study of the principles of learning and behavior. In ABA therapy, we use specialized assessment methods to understand what motivates your child. We then use this motivation to teach your child socially significant behaviors. For more information, go to www.bacb.com.

ABA is effective because it:

• Uses positive reinforcement procedures to promote learning
• May be used on a large variety of functional skills necessary for integration into daily life
• Systematically breaks down skills into manageable steps that are easier for the child to learn
• Provides multiple opportunities for the child to learn, practice, and perfect each step of the skill
• Systematically collects and analyzes data to ensure the interventions being performed are effective

ABA therapy has been shown to benefit a wide range of populations but is most consistently recognized as a treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Any individual needing to improve in a developmental or behavioral skill area would benefit from ABA therapy. Unfortunately, some insurance companies will limit coverage to those individuals who hold an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.

ABA focuses on small aspects of behavior which build toward larger, more significant changes in function and independence. The person responsible for your child’s treatment will always be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This professional will develop a carefully constructed, individualized, and detailed treatment plan which uses reinforcement and other behavior principles. The goal of these treatment plans will always be to promote the best possible functioning for your child and to help your child maintain and generalize those successes.

ABA has proven to be helpful with the following skills:

• Toilet Training
• Adaptive living skills (including feeding, dressing, bathing, etc.)
• Expressive language (including labeling objects, people, and emotions)
• Receptive language (including following directions, selecting objects from a greater field)
• Play & leisure skills (including how to play with toys, expanding interests outside of electronics)
• Social skills (including initiating conversations, responding to questions from peers, engaging in interactive play)
• Basic academic and pre-academic skills
• Ready-to-learn behaviors (including sitting in a chair at a desk or table, refraining from grabbing materials when presented and looking at the instructor)