Play-based ABA
Enhancing ABA therapy with our learning through movement and play-based facility. Our BCBAs work alongside parents to assure we complement their parenting style with current best practices of ABA to create the child’s individualized, and unique treatment plan. Our therapy nurtures and supports each child and family to success!
Discover the difference at Spectra ABA!
For individuals living with Autism (ASD) and parents, our therapy and caregiver training services are exceptional because they are delivered by compassionate, professionally trained & certified ABA therapists.
What is ABA Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a research-based approach to improving the daily lives of children living with Autism and related disabilities. ABA therapy has been proven to be the most effective approach to strengthening communication, social skills, adaptive living skills, motor skills, and more. ABA can help improve cognition, language, social and self-help skills while decreasing behaviors that may interfere with health, safety, and education.
Spectra improves the approach with high-quality standards of care and support while in a fun and exciting play-oriented environment as the foundation to support successful experiences.
ABA for Autism
At Spectra Gymnastics Behavioral Therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis is used to encourage children with Autism spectrum disorders to reach their fullest potential. Our one-on-one ABA therapy, caregiver training and consultation services for schools and daycare centers help children and their families feel welcomed, supported, and successful.
Programs and services
Spectra offers preschool, social gymnastics, and ninja classes, Speech and ABA Therapy in support of families and children living with Autism in the greater Portland area!
Center-Based ABA Therapy
Our center-based ABA therapy services offer a fun and inviting environment for your child to learn, explore, and grow! While our programs are data-driven and goal-oriented, we use a play-based learning model. All our center-based programs include time for table learning, interactive peer play, and free play in the gym.
All our center-based ABA therapy programs are 1:1 which means that your child will have a dedicated Behavior Technician working with them directly under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Social Skills Groups
Building social skills is an important life skill for everyone. Social skills help your child build friendships, participate in the community and be part of a team. Unfortunately, for many children, teens (and adults) with autism, it can be extremely challenging.
Building social skills can be challenging, but practice can help give individuals the confidence they need to build these skills. To help individuals develop these skills, Spectra hosts weekly social skills groups for children of all ages (4-18 years old) with autism. These group settings offer individuals an opportunity to practice social skills with peers under the guidance of our trained BCBAs and technicians. Our social groups for autism help individuals practice skills like making conversation, taking turns, compromising, cooperating with others, and other everyday social situations.
Our Process
We understand how urgently you feel about getting quality services for your child, and our process makes it easy to begin. Once you complete our online client enrollment form, a trained representative will reach out to you to review your insurance and coverage and align it with our programs. Then we’ll schedule an initial evaluation to develop an individualized treatment plan for your child. Once those steps are completed, service can begin.
professional assessment
Every individual is unique and the treatments that they will benefit from will vary based on their unique circumstances. Once a child is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and have enrolled in our program, our professional, licensed therapists perform an assessment that best suits the individual child's needs to determine the best growth to meet goals.
Tailored Treatment
Our licensed therapists stay up to date with today’s best practices with applied behavior analysis to create a treatment plan that is individualized to your child’s needs. BCBAs meet with caregivers to review cultural considerations and values to create a wholesome, all-inclusive approach to each plan.
Caregiver education
We require caregiver training and guidance to all of our clients to ensure that parents and caregivers have the tools to help their child meet behavioral goals outside of direct therapy sessions. Frequently referred to as parent training, we focus on:
- combined development of a socially significant child treatment plan with set behavior goals
- assisting parents/caregivers with consistently - implementing the child’s treatment plan
- generalization of the child’s skills with different people and in different settings/situations
- maintaining the child’s learned skills over time
- opportunities for discussion, understanding, and feedback regarding the child’s individualized Treatment Plan
Have questions? We’re here to help.
In addition to the FAQs below, if you’d like to talk to one of our experienced clinicians, please give us a call. We are here to help.
What is Autism?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability referring to a broad range of behavioral characteristics. Autism can create barriers to learning language, social skills, self-help skills, and a variety of other skills.
Autism is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is a wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people with autism experience. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 40 children in the United States. Autism occurs in all ages, gender, ethnic, racial, and economic groups.
What is ABA Therapy?
ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis therapy), is an evidence-based therapy that can improve communication, social skills, self-help skills, and a variety of learning skills through positive reinforcement. At Early Autism Services, much of our positive reinforcement comes through active play-based learning.
ABA therapy is considered evidence-based, and best practice for treating autism by the US Surgeon General and by the American Psychological Association. ABA therapy has passed the scientific tests necessary to confirm its usefulness, quality, and effectiveness.
How can ABA Therapy Help?
ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis therapy), is based on the science of learning and behavior. It can be used to help children with autism build important sets of skills across a variety of areas. These include fine & gross motor, language & communication, self-help, social skills, and more.
As children develop, they begin to build a foundation of skills. Unfortunately, autism can create challenges for children in these areas. Due to this, many children benefit from intervention through ABA therapy.
DOES INSURANCE COVER ABA THERAPY AND WHAT DO YOU ACCEPT?
ABA Therapy is covered by insurance and our staff can help in assisting with any questions you may have.
We accept - OHP/Medicaid, Care Oregon, Providence Health Plan, Aetna, MODA, Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Optum/United Health Plan.
DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO HAVE A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM TO START THERAPY?
While children are not required to have a formal Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis to receive ABA therapy services, a diagnosis is required for services to be covered by all insurance plans. We will work with you while you are trying to get the diagnosis and insurance sorted out. Contact us today!
If you are just getting started, and have concerns that your child might have Autism Spectrum Disorder, the first step is to talk to your child’s pediatrician. They can help connect you with resources to schedule an assessment. From that point, if your child receives a formal autism diagnosis, your insurance plan is likely to cover ABA therapy services.
If you have any questions, please give us a call. We are happy to help!
WHO WILL BE WORKING WITH MY CHILD?
When your child starts services at Spectra. They will be under the care of a team of certified therapists. The primary therapist your child will work with each day will be a Registered Behavior Analyst Interventionist (RBaI) (also known as Register Behavior Technician (RBT).
Your child’s program will be monitored by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who supervises your child’s RBaI or RBT.
Above your child’s BCBA or BCaBA, will be Spectra’s Owner, who has over 15 years of experience owning operating, and working with neurodivergent children and adults. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
For more information about the field of ABA therapy, please visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s website at www.bacb.com.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) has been the leader in behavior analyst certification for over two decades. The BACB is a nonprofit corporation that was established in 1998 to meet professional certification needs identified by behavior analysts, governments, and consumers of behavior-analytic services.