Children diagnosed with ASD may continue to receive critical ABA therapy
remotely during COVID-19 pandemic.
Brookfield, De Pere, Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay & Eau Claire, WI… LEARN Behavioral, the leading network of providers serving children with autism and other special needs, announces the availability of telehealth Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families in Wisconsin through their regional provider Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP).
To continue providing critical ABA services to client families during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, WEAP has innovated their service delivery model and capabilities to provide telehealth ABA services, or “teleABA” as coined by LEARN.
TeleABA provides another option for families who prefer virtual therapy services over in-person therapy, or who have household family members who are at higher risk for severe illness. It is ABA therapy overseen by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) that parallels in-person treatment.
“The COVID-19 response requiring nationwide social distancing and other safety guidelines
has left many parents of children on the autism spectrum wondering how to maintain the gains their children have made in ABA therapy,” explained Hanna Rue, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Vice President of Clinical Development for LEARN. “WEAP and LEARN are helping parents throughout Wisconsin by providing the option of teleABA therapy which helps ensure that their children are able to continue their forward momentum towards established treatment goals.”
TeleABA Services
Treatment for ASD is in accordance with state and federal emergency guidance regarding medically necessary telehealth services. It is imperative that children with ASD avoid any break in ABA therapy as this may cause distress, disruption and potential behavior regression. TeleABA is the delivery of evidence-based ABA therapy with master level clinicians via HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing, which is accessible by computer, tablet or smartphone.
WEAP’s teleABA services include direct treatment and parent consultation. Direct treatment is one-on-one treatment sessions with a child geared towards maintaining and generalizing communication, play skills and behavioral progress. Parent consultation provides an opportunity to discuss daily routines and challenging behaviors, identify targets, and implement a plan.
TeleABA enables families to continue to build upon and reinforce skills including, but not limited to:
– Potty training
– Bedtime/sleep routine
– Screen time
– Personal hygiene routine, including hand-washing
Through teleABA, WEAP helps children and families in a number of ways. For example: discussing strategies and progress on a desired goal; developing a routine that fits in to your family’s schedule; providing individual reinforcement strategies; setting and explaining clear expectations; and offering “in the moment” parent coaching along with references to help successfully reach your child’s goal.
Dr. Rue continued, “We have received a tremendous response from our families, who are experiencing new successes due to our virtual teleABA services. It is our hope that teleABA treatment will continue to be accepted by insurers beyond COVID-19, as this will enable us to serve a greater number of children and families on the autism spectrum who need services but have limited in-person access to ABA providers.”
LEARN has served over 2,500 families through teleABA, with nearly 1,000 trained providers across the nation who have delivered sessions. LEARN is dedicated to supporting their staff and has developed a comprehensive resource library which enables them to access tools, resources, training and support online.
To learn more about WEAP’s teleABA services, visit https://www.wiautism.com
About WEAP
With over 20 years of clinical research and practice, the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP) is a world-renowned leader in early comprehensive behavioral treatment for young children with autism. WEAP is proud to be Wisconsin’s most established and experienced behavioral treatment provider, bringing state-of-the-art programs right to your door. WEAP’s comprehensive treatment program includes: an enriched learning environment; evidence based teaching strategies; a structured and individualized curriculum; and ongoing assessment and evaluation. WEAP has locations in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay and Eau Claire, WI. For more information, visit www.wiautism.com
About LEARN
LEARN is a leading network of providers, including WEAP, that serves children with autism and other special learning needs. LEARN specializes in behavioral health treatment based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and is committed to providing programs and services that are family-focused, community-minded, and delivered with the highest clinical integrity. The LEARN team delivers more than 2.5 million hours of service annually and is comprised of more than 5,000 passionate professionals dedicated to nurturing each child’s personal best. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.