Applied Behavior Analysis 

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior.

• Behavior analysis helps us to understand:

• How behavior works

• How behavior is affected by the environment

• How learning takes place

• ABA therapy applies our understanding of how behavior works to real situations. The goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning.

• ABA therapy programs can help:

• Increase language and communication skills

• Improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics 

• Decrease problem behaviors

• The methods of behavior analysis have been used and studied for decades. They have helped many kinds of learners gain different skills – from healthier lifestyles to learning a new language. Therapists have used ABA to help children with autism and related developmental disorders since the 1960s.

• How does ABA therapy work?

• Applied Behavior Analysis involves many techniques for understanding and changing behavior. ABA is a flexible treatment:  

• Can be adapted to meet the needs of each unique person

• Provided in many different locations – at home, at school, and in the community

• Teaches skills that are useful in everyday life

• Can involve one-to-one teaching or group instruction

• Positive Reinforcement

• Positive reinforcement is one of the main strategies used in ABA.

• When a behavior is followed by something that is valued (a reward), a person is more likely to repeat that behavior. Over time, this encourages positive behavior change.

 

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is the only profession that helps people across the lifespan to do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Occupational therapy practitioners enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. 

Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing supports for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Occupational therapy services typically include:

• an individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals,

• customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals, and

• an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan. 

Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment and/or task to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team. It is an evidence-based practice deeply rooted in science. 

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Speech Therapy

• Speech-Language Pathologist (SLPs) assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

• SLPs treat speech disorders that include: Articulation delays/disorders, phonological delay/disorders, apraxia of speech, fluency (stuttering), and difficulties with voice and resonance.

• SLPs treat language disorders that include: receptive language delays/disorders, expressive language delays/disorders, pragmatic delays (the use of language in functional and socially appropriate ways)

• SLPs treat social communication disorders when an individual has difficulty with the social use of  verbal and nonverbal communication (using greetings, commenting, asking questions, following rules of conversation and story-telling. These disorders are typically seen in individuals with Autism and Traumatic Brain Injuries.

• SLPs treat cognitive-communication disorders including problems organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning, and/or problem solving.

• SLPs also provide aural rehabilitation to those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• SLPs provide augmentative & alternative communication (AAC) systems to those who with severe expressive and/or language comprehension disorders.

       SLPs address feeding issues in children when there is an impairment in oral musculature. SLPs do not address feeding issues based solely on a sensory impairment without the help of an occupational therapist, physical therapist, and/or behavior therapist

 

Physical Therapy

As Pediatric Physical Therapists, we work with families to help children achieve their maximum potential and promote active participation in their home, school, and community activities.  We treat children with a wide-range of conditions including injuries, post-surgery rehabilitation, and congenital issues that have existed since birth. Here at EICS, we see many children with developmental delay, Cerebral Palsy, Torticollis, Autism, and a variety of other conditions.  The patients range in age from newborn to 21 years old. We also serve adults on the MPW and SCL Waiver. We assess flexibility, strength, posture, gait, sensory processing, balance, coordination and skill with the ultimate goal of achieving motor development and maximum functional potential.  And the best part is, the children will be playing through the process. By incorporating play and fun activities into therapy, we are able to increase cooperation from children and ultimately be more effective at improving long-term outcomes.

Positive Behavior

 

Michelle P Waiver (MPW) - Positive Behavior Supports and CLS (Community Living Supports)

 

Supports for Community Living (SCL)  - Positive Behavior Support

 

Mental Health Therapy

At EICS, our mental health therapists offer guidance to children and families who are dealing with issues that affect their mental health and well being.  Our therapists work with children and families and encourage them to discuss emotions, experiences, depression and anger management as well as many other mental health topics.  Our therapists try to help our clients define goals and gain insight and also help with communication skills and other skills a child or family may need assistance with. We help parents build the skills that help them help their children with behavior issues and other issues that are going on with their child or family.  Our therapists are trained in many areas that focus on play therapy, trauma therapy and other therapies that better assist the child and family. Our focus is typically on helping a child or family discuss or think about issues that can promote positive change in their lives.

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Targeted Case Management

EICS’s team of certified case managers specializes in working with clients who have mental health and/or chronic co-occurring disorders. The team is supported by a program manager and clinical supervisor. 

Medicaid recipients ages 4 and older who have a mental health diagnosis and need help accessing services and resources for social, medical, educational or other needs that impact the mental health challenges affecting daily living.

 

Our case managers strive to help clients access all the services needed to meet the goals outlined in their care plans. Based on your specific needs, this may include:

• Acting as a school liaison, such as joining you for Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and safety meetings Connecting you to community resources that can assist with food, clothing, and shelter needs

• Helping with transportation needs Making referrals for needed medical, dental, and psychiatric services

• Referring you to mental health services such as individual, group and/or family therapy, AA, NA, parenting classes, etc.

• Identifying and assessing you or your family’s needs

• Helping you identify supportive people in your life

• Helping to navigate social support services such as: SSI, Disability, GED classes, College Applications, Food Stamps, etc.

• Collaborating with your team members to ensure you receive the best care possible.

• Your team may include your therapist, community support provider, primary care physician, psychiatrist, nurse practitioner, social services, the department of juvenile justice, a teacher, or anyone else that may be supporting you.

• Assistance with social activities (camps, sports, 4-H, Boys and Girls Club, church events, etc.)

• Helping to support you with your Managed Care Organization Identifying and linking with other support services such as the Michele P. Waiver, SCL Waiver and more

• Monitor quality and access to therapeutic and other needed services

• Help you with crisis planning for times when life becomes challenging

• Meets with you several times monthly to ensure that needs are being met, resources are being utilized, services are going well and continually assessing your need

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