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ABA of SWVA provides behavioral consultation & group day services
in Pulaski County and the surrounding area
Services are provided by a team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)
who are licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine (LBA)
Supervision available to individuals who are accruing experience hours to become certified as a BCaBA or BCBA
ABA of SWVA works with individuals and their teams to find solutions for behavioral health challenges. Having an experienced consultant to provide guidance and support can be invaluable.
Our goal is to help adults with intellectual and/or developmental develop skills that allow them to live as independently and meaningfully as possible. These skills range from practical, everyday tasks to social and vocational skills that are important for a fulfilling life. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an effective tool in this process, as it focuses on real-world application and evidence-based strategies that can be individualized for each person.
Life-long skills are those essential abilities that help individuals navigate daily life, build relationships, and contribute to their community. For adults with autism or other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, these may include:
1. Independent Living Skills: These are skills related to taking care of oneself and managing daily tasks, such as:
2. Social Skills: These help individuals interact with others in meaningful ways. They can include:
3. Vocational Skills: These are the skills needed to be successful in a job or career, such as:
4. Community Participation: These are skills that help individuals engage with their communities, such as:
ABA involves using a variety of research-backed techniques to teach and promote behavior change. Using ABA, we break down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps and teach them systematically. Some key strategies to use these principles to teach life-long skills to adults with IDD include:
Every person is unique, so we customize the teaching methods based on the individual’s strengths, preferences, and challenges. We collaborate with family members, caregivers, and other professionals to make sure the learning plan is effective and tailored to the individual’s needs.
Individualization is a key principle in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and it means that every support plan is tailored to meet the specific needs, goals, and preferences of the individual we’re working with. For adults, this is especially important because their goals often revolve around increasing independence, building meaningful relationships, and enhancing their quality of life.
When we create an individualized plan, we start by getting to know the person — their strengths, challenges, interests, and long-term goals. For example, one adult may want to focus on budgeting and meal planning to live more independently, while another may be working on social skills to build friendships or communicate effectively at work. Even if two people have similar goals, the way we teach and reinforce those skills will look different based on their learning style and preferences.
We also adjust how we provide support. Some adults may benefit from visual schedules or written checklists, while others might prefer role-playing scenarios or hands-on practice. Reinforcement is individualized, too — what motivates one person may not be as effective for someone else.
Throughout the process, we regularly assess progress and make changes as needed. ABA is flexible, so we’re always adapting the plan to ensure it continues to meet the individual’s needs. The ultimate goal is to empower adults to build the skills they need to live fulfilling, independent lives.
Teaching life-long skills helps adults with IDD become more independent, self-sufficient, and confident. It improves their quality of life and enhances their ability to contribute meaningfully to society. It also reduces dependence on others and increases opportunities for employment, community involvement, and personal satisfaction.
By teaching life-long skills, we empower individuals with IDD to live their lives to the fullest and create opportunities for them to thrive in a way that aligns with their goals and aspirations.
In teaching life-long skills to adults with IDD, collaboration with family members, caregivers, and other support systems is critical. They help reinforce the skills learned and provide consistency across settings. It’s important to:
6671 Riverlawn Court, Fairlawn, Virginia 24141, United States
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