About ABAlink. Dedicated professionals with international experience. abalink.com.au 1

About ABAlink

Dedicated professionals with international experience

We’re a close-knit team of professionals led by experts with international experience. And we’re passionate about the positive outcomes and meaningful change that Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) can bring about to help children with autism.

It is scientifically proven that ABA is an effective form of Early Intervention.*

So, everything ABAlink does is centred on the use of ABA to help children reach their full potential. We don’t prescribe to a one size fits all approch. We nurture and engage your child and help parents and carers minimise the often overwhelming stress felt while caring for a child with autism.

At ABAlink our therapists are focussed on the outcomes. First, we fully assess your child before tailor-making a program to suit their individual needs before assigning an entire team to work with your child.

Our programs are made up of one-on-one sessions in the comfort of your own home or location of your choosing. Plus, there are monthly sessions at the clinic to assess your child’s progress and make meaningful adjustments to the program.

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* Two seminal studies by Lovaas (1987) and McEachin, Smith and Lovaas (1993) have proven the efficacy of ABA. Many studies undertaken since this time have replicated these findings and provide additional support for ABA therapy techniques.

Changing behaviour

As an evidence-based approach for changing behaviours, ABA is proven to be effective for not only increasing positive behaviours, but also decreasing problem or challenging behaviours.

This includes:

Difficulty in expressing their needs

Having little or no interest in other people, avoiding eye contact, wanting to be alone, or being unresponsive when people talk to them

Echoing or repeating words, phrases or actions over and over again

Having trouble adapting to changes in routine

Having unusual reactions to the way things smell, taste, look, feel, or sound.

Teaching skills and generalisation

At ABAlink, our therapists use one-on-one instruction which leads to the most efficient and long-lasting benefits. We teach skills in a way that helps your child use them in everyday life. ABA focuses on generalising skills across various settings and people so your child can use them naturally.

How ABA Works

Small steps

Everything from learning to wave, to having a conver-sation – is broken down into a series of small steps that are easier to learn. Through specific teaching methods, the small steps are pieced together to form skills

Targeted goals

Individual goals are created to meet the specific needs of the individual learner.

Practice makes perfect

ABA is a therapeutic approach. Through consistent and repetitive learning opportunities, children are able to practice the skill until they master it and can use the skill in everyday life.

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is used to increase the likelihood of favoured behaviour to occur again.

Measured progress

Therapists track progress at every session through data collection which is monitored continuously and evaluated by the Program Supervisor on a regular basis.

Communication is key

It is essential to us that our therapists develop a structured, working relationship with you, as a parent or caregiver.

Online Communications Diary

We’re firm believers that you, as parents and carers, play a pivotal role in your child’s therapy. So, we keep you fully in the loop with an Online Communications Diary.

This vital tool details each and every session our therapists have with your child: What they aim to achieve; how well the session goes; and the outcomes, both positive and negative. Plus, alerts keep you notified to any special milestones reached or achievements made.

This Communications Diary quickly becomes your system of record. It’s accessible online wherever and whenever you need it. You can monitor your child’s progress, record your own observations of how your child behaves following each session and ask ques-tions or follow up with your Program Supervisor. Our Program Supervisor can then take this on board to refine your child’s program.

Online parent training

Being actively engaged in the process is key to consistency and ultimately success. To empower your involvement, we provide complementary training for parents as part of your child’s program.

Our 12-hour online training program benefits you in two ways. First, it assists you in understanding the fundamental aspects of an ABA program. And second, it helps you learn how best to support your child and optimise the outcomes.

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ABA

Programming

Communication skills Play and social skills Daily living skills School preparation Motor skills Pre-academic skills Behaviour management

Child

Centered

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Continuously monitoring

and refining

ABAlink programs are designed to address all areas of your child’s development.

ABAlink Programs

Created specifically to reflect your child’s unique needs, our ABA Programs are continuously monitored and

updated based on your child’s progress each month.

Individual and Intensive

Most ABA sessions run for 3.0 hours, depending on age, ability and stage of program. For instance, sessions for very young children are made up of small bursts of work centred around fun activities, play and breaks.

Your program

Following your child’s assessment, our Program Supervisor constructs a bespoke ABA therapy program finely tailored to target your child’s needs, which is implemented by your team.

Supervisor

Senior

Therapist

Junior

Therapist

Junior

Therapist

Junior

Therapist

Your Program Supervisor

creates your child’s ABA program and assesses the progress your child makes

Your Senior Therapist runs weekly therapy sessions with your child and manages your child’s team of therapists

Your Junior Therapists deliver the majority of therapy in your home to the ABA therapy program plan

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A safe pair of hands when you

need a break

Caring for a child with autism is both rewarding and exhausting. As a parent or carer, it’s super important to look after your own health and wellbeing. When you need an afternoon off, a night out to unwind, or to get away on a break, you can call on our Super Sitting and Respite child minding services.

Super Sitters and Respite Care

Highly experienced

We provide specialist child minding care for children with autism, provided by experienced ABA trained junior therapists. All in the comfort of your own home or location of your choice.

Rigorous selection

Unlike conventional child minders, ABAlink’s Super Sitters have all completed ABA therapy training. So, you can leave home with the peace of mind that they are trained to handle any behavioural crisis.

Peace of mind

As part of our rigorous selection process, we only employ individuals with the skills required to engage with and take care of children with autism spectrum disorders. All our Super Sitters:

Are trained in the methods of ABA Have an appropriate understanding of children’s needs and abilities

Have a Working With Children Check

Are interested in engaging with your child in 1:1 activities

Available when you need us

You can engage ABAlink’s Super Sitters on a casual basis or for longer term respite require-ments around the clock. We’re available:

Week days Week nights School holidays

Public holidays and weekends

Fully supported

When on site in your home, or place of your choice, our Super Sitters have ready access to our coordina-tion unit which is staffed by experienced ABA therapists and operations staff with industry experi-ence.

Financial assistance

Depending on your circumstances, our Super Sitting and Respite child minding services may be supported by NDIS or other government funding.

We can inform you of your options to access financial assistance.

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By booking in for an Initial Consultation with us, you can discuss your child’s needs to see if ABA therapy is right for them. If it’s something you would like to pursue, we’ll arrange an Assessment of your child.

Getting Started

Two and a half-hour evaluation

In this two-and-a half-hour session, our Program Supervisor undertakes a systematic and

comprehensive evaluation of your child’s abilities using the Verbal Behaviour-Milestones and Placement Program (VB-MAPP). This provides the basis of:

Baseline level of

performance

Our Program Supervisor then compiles your child’s Assessment Report and we draw up a personalised ABA therapy program finely tailored to target your child’s exact needs.

This program assigns a team and details the recom-mended ABA therapy hours, clearly identifying your behaviour support goals along with detailing the skills your child will acquire.

Real-world environment

Moving the therapy outside of the home

environment is also an important part of your child’s development. They need to be able to transfer the skills learnt within the ABA program

to other environments and with other people. A big part of this is being able to cope with the normal distractions in the real world.

Clinic meetings

As part of the program, clinic meetings are essential. You and your child’s entire team

evaluates your child’s progress with your Program Supervisor every four weeks. This ensures a continuous progression to your child’s goals.

One-on-one sessions at home

Initially, your team of ABA Senior and Junior therapists will work one-on-one with your child within your home, although sessions can take place elsewhere such as at kinder, school and our clinic.

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Direction for

intervention

System for tracking

skill acquisition

Tool for outcome

measures

Framework for

therapy planning

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ABAlink is an approved provider of services through the National Disability Insurance Agency.

By booking in for an Initial Consultation with us to see if ABA is right for your child, we can then assess your child’s needs, and draw up a personalised ABA therapy program finely tailored to target your child’s needs.

Funding Support

National Disability Insurance

Scheme (NDIS)

Until NDIS funding is available in your area, the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package will continue to provide support for children aged 0 - 6 years with Autism, their families and carers.

Helping Children with Autism

package (HCWA)

As an approved NDIS provider, ABAlink provides quality support. Our behaviour therapists are all professionally trained, and have considerable experience and success in the field of ABA therapy.

Choosing your supports

This program clearly identifies your behaviour support

goals and details the skills your child will acquire. You can use this document as the basis of your NDIS support plan when applying for financial assistance under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

ABAlink services Sydney Metro, and Western Suburbs:

Get in touch

Clinic:

ABAlink services Sydney Metro, +61 2 9411 4618 and Western Suburbs:

5/112-114 Hampden Rd Artarmon NSW 2064 Australia [email protected]

Telephone:

Email: