Maximizing Potential:

1. Maximizing Potential:  Collaboration between ABA and Speech Therapies in Intervention for Young Children with Autism spectrum disorders Christy Schweitzer, MA/CCC-SLP Stuart Segal, LPC, BCBA Chelsea Sporn, B.S. Ed Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities (CADD) Henry Ford Health System

2. Too MANY CHOICES • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) • Speech Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Sensory Integration • Early Intervention / Early Childhood Special Education • Hippotherapy • Aqua Therapy • Music Therapy • Art Therapy • Biomedical therapies: Diet changes, Hyperbaric chamber, etc

3. And then some more… • Discrete Trial Training • Floor Time • Pivotal Response Training • Relationship Development Intervention • Social Stories • Play Project • Hanen Centre programs

4. Speech therapy • Child works directly with a certified clinician • Often 1-on-1 (Sometimes in group) • 1-2 times per week for 30-60 minute sessions • Play-based and structured tasks

5. Speech therapy • Focus is on increasing meaningful communication • Asking for things • Sharing information • Understanding questions / Following directions • Increasing meaningful play (Particularly make believe play) • Using alternative communication methods when necessary (pictures, signs, etc) • Speech sound production

6. Speech therapy • Challenges • Therapy time • Disruptive behavior • Other sensory / developmental needs

7. ABA Therapy • Child works 1- on -1 with a highly trained behavior technician • Behavior technician receives supervision form a behavior analyst (BCBA) for a minimum of 10% of the hours they spend with a child each week. • Therapy is typically conducted daily for several hours each day • Therapy is often conducted for several hours each session • Therapy utilizes a child’s personal interests (toys, games, activities, snacks etc.) in order to harness their motivation

8. ABA Therapy • Focused on behavior (What does the child do? Why does she do it? Is the behavior appropriate/acceptable?) • Using data to track behavior, patterns can be seen which can help us understand what the child is “getting” out of a specific behavior. • Appropriate behaviors are reinforced using child’s personal interests • Inappropriate/unacceptable behaviors are replaced (over time) with more appropriate/acceptable behaviors • Asking for a cookie as opposed to having a tantrum • Handing over a picture card requesting a hug instead of climbing on care giver • Saying the word “break” when a break is desired instead of pinching another individual

9. ABA THERAPY • ABA and language development • Often, inappropriate/unacceptable behavior is a form communication. Using the data we collect, we can discover what a child is “getting” by engaging in a behavior. We can then offer them a more effective method for communicating their wants/needs. • Vocal speech, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) , American Sign Language (ASL), assistive communication technology (Ipad apps, computer programs), writing on a white board • With time, dedication, and hard work, children can learn to use these new communication strategies as their primary communication strategies

10. What we do • Collaboration at HFHS: • Those ABA clients who can benefit from this collaboration are referred to an SLP • Our BCBA team and SLP team share facilities and work together in both scheduled and impromptu meetings • Frequent collaboration on specific cases, maximizes the benefits provided for our clients from both clinical teams. • Strengths • How ABA therapy is strengthened by this collaboration: • The SLP specializes in the developmentally appropriate language acquisition and informs the behavioral therapy • Language development programs can be designed in a more efficient way in order to maximize the potential effect of ABA therapy time • Language acquisition may occur more rapidly than with ABA alone • How SLP is strengthened by this collaboration: • Challenges: • Collaboration may require caregivers to facilitate/advocate for a meeting between the SLP and the BCBA • Multiple co-pays increase financial burden to caregivers

11. What do you want to know??? • Christy Schweitzer (Speech Pathologist): cschwei1@hfhs.org • Stuart Segal (Board Certified Behavior Analyst): ssegal2@hfhs.org • Chelsea Sporn (ABA Therapist): csporn1@hfhs.org