Frequently Asked Questions

Child Enrichment Center provides both consultation and direct treatment services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.  When provided with quality ABA treatment, a child can learn functional skills that will enable them to reach their full potential and live more productive and independent lives. Our program is designed to ensure optimal progress of each child through quality supervision to each paraprofessional/provider and consistent and constant program management.

How can Child Enrichment Center Help My Child?

 

The Child Enrichment Center utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and develops individualized programs or treatment plans that target cognitive, speech, language, academic or school readiness, behavior management, play, and social skills.  Each individualized program is based on the child’s strengths and deficits.  The goal is to decrease maladaptive behaviors and replace them with functional skills that will allow the them autonomy.

What are Autism Spectrum or Pervasive Development Disorders?

 

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the typical development of the brain.  It manifests itself through deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interaction, and lack of typical play.  Children with autism typically demonstrate repetitive behaviors and/or interests as well as unusual or excessive responses to sensory experiences.  This sensory unbalance makes it difficult for them to learn from their environment and develop naturally.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the study of the functional relationship between one’s behaviors and their environment.  Data is collected on the stimuli that elicits, increases, decreases, or maintains the child’s behavior.  The data is analyze and a treatment plan or an individualized ABA program is implemented.  As the child’s treatment progresses, data is collected and analyzed again to determine treatment effectiveness.  The goal of a behavior analyst is to utilize behavioral contingencies to help the child learn more functional skills that can replace undesirable behaviors and improve quality of life.  Child Enrichment Center seeks to produce  significant results enabling the child to adapt to their environment thus preparing them for a brighter future. 

How does ABA compare to other treatments?

A recent study shows that ABA is superior in helping children with autism acquire skills in the all developmental areas such as cognitive, non-verbal, receptive/expressive language and adaptive skills.(Howard, Sparkman, Cohen, Green, and Stainslaw, 2005) 

The study included:

1) 3 different treatments:  Intensive ABA, a public non-intensive early intervention program, and a popular “eclectic” treatment. 

2) 14 month study on 61 children averaging the age of 34 months and diagnosed with autism.

The children receiving the ABA treatment acquired considerably more skills in all areas than both of the other treatments.  In fact, children receiving only the public non-intensive early intervention actually regressed in skills compared to their baseline. 

When you review the research you will find that ABA treatment to be most effective treatment.

To review the full study click here.

What does Child Enrichment Center offer?

 

Currently Child Enrichment Center provides Applied Behavior Analysis  consultation and direct treatment services provided at our Kennewick, Washington location(552 N. Colorado Street, Suite 210).  The first step is to meet with a Behavior Analyst/Consultant from Child Enrichment Center, LLC for an initial evaluation.  The qualified Behavior Consultant will provide you with the necessary information regarding your child’s developmental skill level, deficit areas, and strengths.  The consultant will also specify your child’s needs and design an individualized ABA program outlined to target each deficit area.  The Behavior Consultant will also specify how many hours of 1:1 treatment  per week will be necessary for optimal progress.   Though parents can choose to receive monthly consultation to assist them in their parenting, it is recommended that the child receive direct treatment from a paraprofessional provided at our office Monday - Friday.  Center-based ABA programs have shown to improve the consistency and quality of treatment due to the increased supervision and support to the paraprofessional working with your child. 

 

 

What do direct 1:1 ABA treatment sessions do for my child ?

 

Direct 1:1 treatment sessions offer the greatest opportunity for a child to gain the most progress in their individualized program. The child’s progress through the ABA programs depends greatly on the frequency of the sessions and the adherence to recommended procedures.  Consistent treatment is essential to avoid regression and build learning momentum for the child.

 

What does Direct 1:1 ABA session include?

 

A quality ABA program is comprehensive, individual, and intensive therefore, all areas of development need to be targeted in one session.  Depending on the needs of the child and the recommended training program, a child typically needs the following minimum components in a direct treatment session:

 

◊  Structured play

◊  Self-care, fine, gross, and oral motor skills

◊  Language training (mechanical or social)

◊ Parent training for generalization of skill in the home

 

What is my role as a parent in this treatment process?

Parents are most effected by their child’s autism symptoms and their participation is crucial in all of the processes and phases of treatment. Family involvement is most effective when your time is used to help the child generalize the targets taught in the sessions with a provider/paraprofessional into everyday living situations. Child Enrichment Center, LLC provides a specific parent training or consultation package which includes theoretical or lecture training, 1:1 modeling and coaching with the child, and webcam or video coaching if needed.   A two hour monthly educational support group is provided to parents receiving center-based services from Child Enrichment Center as well as other seeking support and education.   ($10-20 fee may be required for parents who do not receive services from Child Enrichment Center).

Many parents may desire to become the primary teacher or trainer for their child on a regular basis and implement intensive ABA programs themselves.  This is not recommended!  In our experience, this will take an emotional toll on you and your child.  Regular daily treatment provided by a well-qualified and trained person or paraprofessional other than a family member, allows the parent a break so that they are refreshed and able to interact with their child outside of session in an productive and enjoyable way.