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What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence based discipline built on the science of
learning and behavior.
Simply put, the general goals of ABA are to:
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Decrease behaviors that are harmful or can affect learning.
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Increase behaviors that are desired.
We do this by incorporating a variety of evidence-based strategies throughout our treatment sessions. Click the button below to learn more about treatment strategies.
Qualifications for service
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis
Referral from doctor/pediatrician
In network insurance
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Who provides ABA?In accordance with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board, all ABA programs at The KSC are overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and implemented by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). What is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst ® (BCBA ® )? The Board Certified Behavior Analyst ® (BCBA ® ) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services. Responsibilities of the BCBA ● Complete the initial assessment, Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and Behavior Supports Plan (BSP) ● Provide ongoing supervision for the RBT providing ABA services and ensure correct implementation of each patient's behavior program ● Provide parent training, at minimum, 1x monthly ● Monitor and analyze data to ensure treatment effectiveness and validity What is a Registered Behavior Technician ® (RBT ® )? The Registered Behavior Technician ® (RBT ® ) is a paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis. RBTs assist in delivering behavior analysis services and practice under the direction and close supervision of an RBT Supervisor and/or an RBT Requirements Coordinator, who are responsible for all work RBTs perform. Responsibilities of the RBT ● Provide ABA services on a daily/weekly basis ● Consistently and accurately collect data towards patient treatment goals ● Report to the BCBA supervisor ● Communicate any parent concerns to the BCBA supervisor
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How much ABA will my child be scheduled for?The amount of ABA (dosage) recommended for your child will be determined by the supervising BCBA in the initial assessment. This recommendation will be based on parent reports and standardized scores from assessments completed prior to and during the initial assessment process. In general KSC has a minimum requirement of 6 hours per week (unless otherwise indicated by the supervising BCBA based on initial assessment data). In accordance with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), The Kid SpOt Center recognizes two categories of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment: Focused and Comprehensive.
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What is my role as a parent/guardian?The KSC views caregivers as vital to their child’s progress. As children spend the majority of their daily lives with their caregivers, it is so important that those caregivers are involved in developing their child’s program, educated on strategies and interventions used during therapy, and trained in using these at home. Therefore, we ask that all caregivers commit to the following responsibilities: Consistent participation in implementing BSP and recommended strategies Collecting data to aid BCBA and RBT in monitoring progress Communicating with BCBA and RBT about any concerns with their child’s program or implementation of it Attendance of 1x/monthly caregiver trainings (at minimum) Consistent attendance of ABA appointments
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Potential benefits and risk of ABAPotential Benefits: Increased social skills Overall functionality within all settings Increased communication skills Increased independence in daily living/vocational skills Decreased behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, etc. Increased parent confidence and support in addressing problematic behaviors Generalization of skills to all environments Potential Risks: Costs: the costs associated with ABA therapy may be high, depending on insurance coverage and plans Duration of treatment: depending on presenting behaviors, age and severity, some patients may be in ABA therapy for a long amount of time Lack of carryover in other settings (home, school, secondary caregiver, etc.): may prolong ABA therapy or decrease its effectiveness Extinction bursts may occur: a temporary escalation in target behavior that was previously reinforced
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How long does ABA last?The Kid SpOt Center provides ABA services as long as is medically necessary as indicated by parent reports, behavior data and performance on standardized tests/assessments.
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Do we accept insurance?Yes! KSC accepts all insurances, both in-network & out of network. If your insurance is not listed call your local office for a benefits check to confirm if we are in network. Commercial Insurances Evalance Health (Formly Anthem) Humana Humana Military (Tricare) Cigna United HealthCare (Optum & UMR) Aetna CenterCare CareSource Marketplace (KY) Medicaid Insurances Medicaid WellCare of KY Aetna Better Health of KY Passport by Molina Healthcare Anthem Medicaid United Healthcare Community Plan Humana Medicaid Medicaid Michelle P Waiver (MPW) Indiana Medicaid (Louisville location ONLY) Third Party Insurances off of Main Commercial Insurances ChampVa (Tricare) Medi-Share Medi-Plus Lucent Health Health Scope Benefits Multi-Plan CHC Medical Plan
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Do we have a waitlist for services?Depending on the location and the services we likely have a waitlist. However, please reach out to your local KSC clinic to get information on how your child can be added to our waitlist.
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How to get your child set up for services.The intake process varies depending on the services. I would encourage you to reach out to your local KSC front office and they will be happy to step you through this process.
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ReferralA child can be referred to KSC for ABA services by anyone. To be put on the ABA waitlist, KSC requires the following: -- Autism evaluation paperwork indicating a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder --Referral from your child’s doctor/pediatrician If your child does not have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, they will go on the Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) waitlist. PBS may be covered by EPSDT (Michelle P. Wavier). All other insurances/diagnoses can receive PBS as a self-pay service as PBS is not covered outside of EPSDT. As PBS is a self-pay service, there are no insurance/diagnoses requirements to qualify. A self-pay initial assessment can be completed to determine if PBS services would be beneficial for a child.
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ABA WaitlistUnder most insurance plans, ABA is only covered for individuals with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, therefore, only individuals with this diagnosis can go on the ABA waitlist. If your child is on a waitlist to receive an evaluation for Autism Spectrum Disorder, your child can be placed on our Positive Behavior Supports waitlist, until they receive the report indicating a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. At that time, they will be moved to the ABA waitlist.
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InsuranceAlthough the details of your insurance plan will dictate what coverage you have, The KSC is in network with the following insurance providers: Aetna Aetna Better Health of Kentucky Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Anthem Medicaid CenterCare Cigna Humana Humana Medicaid Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare Tricare/Humana Military United HealthCare United Healthcare Community Plan WellCare
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BenefitsKSC will complete a benefits check prior to scheduling an evaluation in order to receive a quote from your insurance company/plan for expected fees for ABA. The Patient Advocate at your location will review the information from your insurance company/plan with you. *This is just a quote. Until KSC bills for services, there’s no way to know exactly what insurance will and will not cover.
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Initial Assessment Authorization and SchedulingKSC billing department will request authorization from your insurance company to complete an initial assessment. Once approved an initial assessment will be scheduled. All initial assessments are completed by a licensed Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
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Treatment Authorization and SchedulingAfter completion of the initial assessment, KSC billing department will request authorization from your insurance company for ongoing treatment services. The amount of time requested will be based on the data and information collected during the initial assessment process. Once approved, the Patient Service Coordinator at your location will contact you to schedule ongoing treatment services based on the recommendation provided by the supervising BCBA. *Due to the comprehensive nature of the initial assessment process, getting authorization and scheduling treatment could take between 1-4 weeks from the date of the initial assessment.
ABA IS DEFINED BY THE 7 DIMENSIONS OF ABA
Parent Resources
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