ABA SERVICES
Applying individualized & evidence-based interventions to support families in embracing their differences, overcoming their challenges, and celebrating their triumphs.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT THERAPY
When families begin their search for Autism therapy, it can often be a confusing and overwhelming time. With several different services and acronyms available such as ABA, IBI, DTT, PRT, and ESDM, how do families navigate and select the intervention most appropriate for their child?
Allow me to simplify.
ABA
APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS
ABA is one of the leading evidence-based Autism interventions to date. It was established over 50 years ago and includes research from numerous psychologists, behaviorists, and philosophers. To put it simply, ABA is the science of studying behaviour. It focuses on identifying functions of behaviours, improving behaviour through intervention, and analyzing the effectiveness of the intervention through data collection. Consider ABA the umbrella term to which all the other acronyms and therapies fall under.
PRT
PIVOTAL RESPONSE TREATMENT
PRT is an evidence-based behavioural intervention used to support children and adolescents challenged with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Derived from the principals of ABA, PRT was established in the 1970s by psychologists Robert Koegel, Ph.D., and Lynn Kern Koegel, Ph.D. Through the use of play and child initiations, PRT targets 4 Pivotal Areas of Development.
Functional Behaviour Assessments help both families and therapists understand the logic behind behaviours, and the reasons why specific challenging behaviours are occurring. Some challenging behaviours include but are not limited to
self-harm, aggression, and destructive behaviour.
The main goal of a Functional Behaviour Assessment is to identify the functions of challenging behaviours and
administer individualized intervention to reduce these behaviours using 3 Functional Assessment Methods.
JOHN MOLINARO
FOUNDER OF COLOURS OF THE SPECTRUM ABA
BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYST
MASTER OF APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS
LEVEL 3 PRT
John is a registered Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). With over 5 years of experience working with children and youth with Autism, and over 10 years working with those with special needs, he brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and empathy to those he assists. As a BCBA, John is responsible for conducting functional behaviour assessments (FBA), creating individualized behaviour intervention plans, supervising behaviour therapists to ensure fidelity, and collecting ongoing evaluations of client's progression. John supports families who have received a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, or who are challenged with other behavioural needs. He specializes in parent coaching and emphasizes parental involvement throughout the intervention. John’s primary form of intervention is a play and evidence-based therapy known as Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT). PRT is based on the foundation of Applied Behaviour Analysis, which is the leading form of intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder.