The team at Inner Circle Autism Network understands the uncertainty and confusion for families that can accompany a new autism diagnosis and beginning ABA therapy.
“I always start by telling brand-new families that everything is going to be okay,” said Jeremiah Anzualda, BCBA at Inner Circle Autism Network.
That philosophy of reassurance and belief in every child permeates Inner Circle Autism Network’s approach to working with children and families as individuals, with unique strengths, goals, and timetables for accomplishing them.
The board-certified behavior analysts and registered behavior technicians work with each family to develop an individualized plan to target challenging behaviors, such as aggression or tantrums, and replace them with something more appropriate.
For Catie Krautkramer whose son Rowyn was unable to communicate, that plan involved sitting down with the family and asking, “what are you struggling with at home? What are you struggling with at school?”
From there, a plan was developed that clearly outlines the goals and approach for achieving them and what families can expect to see. “We have to look deeper into the individual and try to figure out, this individual is reacting this way for what reason,” explained RBT Samantha. “What is the function of this behavior? And from that we can create a plan to use our tools to change that behavior to make it a preferred behavior.”
Whether it’s communicating, getting ready to go to school, playing independently, going on family vacation, or any of a number of other desired behaviors, the goals are completely individualized to each child and family.
And, the team at Inner Circle works toward those goals through leisure play and functional play so each child looks forward to spending time at the clinic and feels loved and supported. “We all need encouragement, but these kids need to know they’re doing a great job and that they are loved, and we’re here to bring them that wholeness of love and help,” said Samantha.