There’s No ‘I’ in ‘TEAM’
By Katie Topham, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Director of Clinical Services at Next Steps Behavioral Centers
The saying might be cliché, but when it comes to helping children reach their potential, it could not be more accurate. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I have been encouraged to see the many industries that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has stretched into. A brief list of examples includes the following: seatbelt use and industrial safety; environmental preservation efforts; zoology; sports Management; and gerontology. Besides the common denominator of reliance on the science of behavior, these fields use ABA in conjunction with other professional fields to achieve the best outcome for their respective clients. Much like ABA works to improve innovation and develop success within the field, it also works to collaborate with related professionals for the end goal of improvement of socially significant outcomes.
When I was offered the opportunity of opening Next Steps Behavioral Centers, I was most excited to be able to build upon what had become a deep commitment within my career: To improve the acceptance and perception of Applied Behavior Analysis.
In my opinion, long-passed are the days of exclusive reliance on discrete-trial sessions, strict adherence to imposed priorities, quashing of repetitive behavior at the expense of development of play skills, etc. However, when I meet people who have a visceral recoil at my response that I love ABA it is obvious that there is much work left to be done in repairing years of lack of person-centered treatment. It seems obvious to me that one of the best places to begin to repair this poor image is in the pursuit of collaboration.
Every parent of a child with any special need understands the tiresome duty of arranging a multidisciplinary therapy schedule. But why is this task solely on the shoulders of families who are already strained and tired? Shouldn’t that burden be somewhat born on the professionals tasked with therapy? I think the answer to this is: Yes. We, as professionals, should have a basic understanding of the other common therapies used for our clients. Furthermore, we should have a personal stake in collaborating with and learning from each other!
At Next Steps Behavioral Centers, we have the distinct benefit of offering families BOTH in-home and center-based therapy. Our ability to offer either exclusive therapy in one setting or supplementation of home and center-based therapy is unique and powerful. A few points of consideration include the following:
Collaborative environment: A team is always available for brainstorming and individual therapy rooms allow for visitors and other professionals to work as a part of our team for clients.
Dynamic supervision: The presence of multiple therapists and supervisors allows for immediate feedback and generalization across people.
Team work: Clients and professionals can work together to create learning opportunities, constantly.
It is our mission to change the face of ABA in this region. ABA is powerful, dynamic, data driven, and scientific. However, these tenets should not occur at the expense of the client. In fact, the strength of the influence of the scientific practice is a tool helpful both within and outside of the practice of ABA. Our passion at Next Steps is to show how evaluating environment-behavior interactions are useful across disciplines. Furthermore, our Team is dedicated to learning from others and fostering collaborative relationships with all professionals for the benefit of clients and their families.
If you would like to learn more about receiving services from Next Steps Behavioral Centers or find out how we could collaborate with your team then please call or visit our website! Insurance payment is available, and we are happy to assist in determining those options for your family.
Most of all, if you were dismayed by previous experiences with ABA, please give the science another chance and reach out to our Team.
We are enthusiastic and eager to show you our version of ABA. We firmly believe that to serve, teach, and shape lives one step at a time, lasting change comes from a team effort.