Why addressing our needs is critical – and strategies you can implement today. By Melissa Clark, M.S., BCBA | CentralReach Implementation Coordinator With a school year approaching that will be quite different from those in years past, I’m going to make a bold statement: You aren’t your best ___________ if you’re running on empty. Fill in that blank with whichever hat you’re wearing today – because we know you’re wearing a lot of them lately! »

By now, school (virtual, in-person, or hybrid) has finally let out and June 20th marked the official first day of summer. During a typical year, summer can be slightly stressful to manage with the transitions from school, planning vacations, or finding ways to occupy children. Now, in 2021, that stress is exacerbated by a number of additional constraints. People are wondering what to do with their time while the world remains in this awkward transition phase. »

ABA group sessions: an overview. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), group sessions typically include two or more learners that receive services in a communal setting. A provider (or providers) is responsible for running the group, taking data on each learner, and managing a multitude of variables. For example: if there are X learners in the group, that means there are X different sets of behaviors, skill levels, reinforcer sets, and more, to oversee. »

By Lauren Corbett Mahan, M.S., BCBA, LBA CentralReach Clinical Implementation Coordinator Though CentralReach may be best known for its client-facing data collection functionality, it can also be utilized to track and review data that is employee based, as well. Having the ability to create goals and track staff performance overtime can provide invaluable information on training gaps, competency, and opportunities for further development. By assigning a Learning Tree to an employee (rather than a client), a supervisor gains the ability to track data on an employee’s behavior over time. »

By Kristin Smith, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA | CentralReach Instructional Designer Introduction. As behavior analysts, it is critical that we listen to our clients (i.e., the individuals who directly receive our services), as well as listen to the community of people who have previously received ABA services. Doing so pushes us to make the services we provide more socially valid, more assent-based, and more meaningful to those we serve. There is much to learn from those who are direct recipients of intervention programs. »

By Dr. Rick Kubina, BCBA-D | CentralReach Director of Research When someone says “robot,” what thoughts come to mind? Do you think of one of your friends, or yourself, breaking out the robot on the dance floor? Or perhaps you recall your favorite sci-fi robots like R2-D2, WALL-E, or my first favorite Robot (Lost in Space). Maybe you went with robots appearing at manufacturing plants for cars, computers, or warehouses like at Amazon? »

There are a number of therapies that are used to support autism spectrum disorder including Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. In this blog, you will receive an overview of Applied Behavior Analysis. What is Applied Behavior Analysis? Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior that applies our understanding of how behavior works to real situations with the goal to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning. »

The new Ethics Code. Effective January 1, 2022, the BACB’s new code for Behavior Analysts is “aimed to produce a more efficient and readable code, facilitate code enforcement, and articulate its guiding principles – all with an eye toward improved consumer protection.” The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts will replace the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. The latter went into effect January 1, 2016. For current ethics requirements, continue to refer to the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts until the new code takes effect. »

By Justyn Harvey, M.Ed., BCBA | CentralReach, Customer Success Manager For many of us, the word normality means having a sense of comfort around our current state, a predictable routine to help us get through the day, and knowing what to expect from one day to the next. The last several months have brought on many new changes and challenges, disrupting that comfort zone. This blog is intended to go through just a few of those challenges and discuss how we can adapt to them – including working from home, providing telecommunication services, and increased reliance on technology. »

By Dr. Kerri Milyko, BCBA-D, LBA | CentralReach Director of Clinical Programming This is the first part of a 2-part blog addressing the importance of instructional design. The first part sets the stage of why instructional design is important. The second part addresses how it is used in ABA and benefits from incorporating it. Why Should We Care? Instructional Design is an integral part of the role of a behavior analyst. »