Applied Behavior Analysis

Heartspring offers families the opportunity to work with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), delivering specialized services to meet children’s individualized needs. The demand for this type of service has increased substantially over the last decade, yet few people in Wichita and surrounding areas are qualified to provide effective assessment and intervention.

Quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs require consistent programming in the home, school and community. Despite the common misperception, ABA involves much more than discrete trial training, and includes programming that is much more comprehensive. ABA treatment can include any of several established teaching tools: discrete trial training, natural environment teaching, incidental teaching, pivotal response training, and positive behavioral supports. Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) include teaching of social, adaptive, academic, communication, and motor skills, depending on the individual needs of the child. Each plan is unique and targets a variety of different skills. Both acquisition skills for increase and problem behaviors for decrease are targeted to help each child reach their highest level of independence.

In comprehensive ABA programs, direct and indirect behavioral observation, along with a Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) are conducted to determine the function of behavior and design interventions that are empirically based and data driven. These interventions focus on altering antecedent events, behavior and consequences. By examining and altering this three-term-contingency, the frequency of behavior can be increased or decreased by altering different aspects of the environment. This makes ABA a powerful scientific tool that can be utilized for all ages, populations and functioning levels.

Heartspring provides ABA services through the following programs:
TRICARE’s Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Autism Services Demonstration Project – This program allows for reimbursement for ABA services to children of active duty military personnel.

State of Kansas Autism Waiver – This program provides services to families of children with autism. Children can be eligible to receive services for up to three years, working with an autism specialist to coordinate care, up to 25 hours a week of intensive individual support, family counseling, parent support and respite care.

State of Kansas Autism Rider – This program allows for reimbursement of ABA services, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy to children of employees of the State of Kansas.

Additionally, families can obtain services through private insurance (if applicable) or through private payment.

For more information on ABA therapy at Heartspring, please contact:
Christina Hourani, MA, BCBA
chourani@heartspring.org
316.634.8718