Happy Kids Autism Intervention Services is an authorized Tricare provider providing applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Currently, no other treatment for autism has been as widely researched and empirically validated. Since 2009 we have served the Central Texas area to include: Ft. Hood, Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Temple, Belton, etc...) On staff we have a BCBA (Clinical Director), a BCaBA (our clinical supervisor) as well as 6 other ABA and Tricare authorized therapists/tutors. At Happy Kids, we may not be as big as some of the other providers in the area but look at things from a quality standpoint. Our mentality is and always will be quality over quantity. OUR MISSION
• Provide highly individualized quality services by utilizing the science and principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Design intensive behavior analytic intervention programs that focus on increasing skills resulting in the improvement of our client’s communication, academic, and social development.
• Dedicate ourselves to the effective treatment of our clients and their families as a whole, recognizing successful programs include individualized behavioral therapy, extensive parent training, and on-going community support. SERVICES PROVIDED
• 1:1 ABA Therapy
• School Consultations
• Staff and Parent Training
• Workshops
• Behavioral Language Assessments (ABLLS-R, VB-MAPP, SKILLS)
• Functional Behavior Assessments
• Develop and Implement Home and Center-based ABA Programs
• Social Skills Training
CONTACT INFO
Executive Director- Patricia Suzee Scott, M.Ed BCBA
Clinical Director- Amanda Durdin, M.Ed. BCBA
1(281)705-3095
mandy_durdin@yahoo.com
Clinical Supervisor- Lisa Zwayer, BCaBA
1(740)601-2252
lmzwayer@yahoo.com
WHAT IS AUTISM
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. There is often nothing about how people with ASD look that sets them apart from other people, but people with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less. A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder. (www.cdc.gov)
AUTISM FACTS
• Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
• Autism prevalence figures are growing
• Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
• Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
• Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
• There is no medical detection or cure for autism
(www.autismspeaks.org)
APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) THERAPY
Applied behavior analysis is the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviors to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the improvement in behavior (Baer, Wolf & Risley, 1968; Sulzer-Azaroff & Mayer, 1991). ABA, applied behavioral analysis, is simply the application of behavioral principles, to everyday situations, that will, over time, increase or decrease targeted behaviors. ABA has been used to help individuals acquire many different skills, such as language skills, self-help skills, and play skills; in addition, these principles can help to decrease maladaptive behaviors such as aggression, self-stimulatory behaviors, and self-injury. There are many providers of ABA services, many of whom are quite good. Frequently, a parent will choose a qualified provider with whom they share similar philosophical approaches in the application of intensive behavioral interventions
(www.appliedbehavioralstrategies.com)
WHY ABA? ABA is the only scientifically-validated, data driven approach to intervention shown to be effective with a wide variety of behavioral disorders especially when applied to working with children with autism. ABA focuses on the reliable measurement and objective evaluation of observable behavior. Targeted skills are divided into small steps while learners are provided numerous opportunities to learn and generalize skills to a variety of settings. Positive reinforcement is used to shape desired behaviors and develop skills. Programming goals and reinforcers are customized to the strengths and needs of the individual learner. The goal of ABA intervention is to improve the quality of life of and enable the learner to function as independently and successfully as possible in society.
