Why SVABA?
|
Silicon Valley ABA (SVABA) develops individualized behavior analytic programs for individuals on the Autism spectrum. Each learner we encounter comes to us with unique strengths, concerns, preferences, and learning styles. These programs are generally provided directly in the home, but can also occur at school, in the community, in clinic settings, and/or via Telehealth services online.
|
|
At SVABA, we firmly believe it is our responsibility to:
|
UNDERSTAND the individual needs of each learner without assumptions or prejudgements, allowing us to develop a program specifically designed and properly paced for their own unique development. Programs are not paced on “norms and averages” but instead on the individual’s personal mastery level of each skill. Once one skill is mastered, the next skill is introduced, and so on. |
|
DISCOVER what motivates the individual in order to build a drive for learning. At SVABA, learning is not demanded or forced. Instead, we work with our families and learners to make learning fun, engaging, and highly motivating. If we find at any point that we are not doing this job, we reassess, reprogram, and revise. If a learner is not motivated it is not their “fault,” but rather our responsibility to uncover ways to get them excited about learning. It is our job to provide services in such a way that our learners look forward to their sessions and are proud of themselves when they achieve every small success. |
|
CALM maladaptive behavior (such as yelling, aggression, and self-injury) by teaching our learners to replace them with appropriate, prosocial and safe replacement behavior. Every behavior serves a purpose. It is our job to uncover the function of problem behavior and teach our learners how to achieve their goals through more appropriate strategies. We also teach coping strategies to help our learners manage their emotions. There is nothing wrong with feeling sad, angry, scared, overstimulated or overwhelmed. Our learners are taught to stay calm, cope, and communicate in a functional way even when emotions are heightened. |
|
EDUCATE caregivers so they can successfully implement behavioral strategies and generalize learned skills throughout the day. Learning cannot be successful if taught in a bubble. Caregivers are extremely important to the success of a program and it cannot be done without them.
|
|
CELEBRATE every benchmark of success, whether large or small. By acknowledging and celebrating these achievements, we remember how far we have come, and it helps motivate everyone to keep making progress.
|