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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome! This is the Autism of America Behavior Technician monthly newsletter. We are providing this resource so that we can more easily share important information and company announcements with everyone.
Announcements
You can view the company calendar to find important information, closing dates, and to schedule any meetings (when needed). Find the calendar here.
To access the calendar (and any other password-protected pages on the AOA website), use password: AOA2403!
This password may change at times for security purposes. You will be informed when this occurs.
Reviewing the newsletters is a mandatory part of your position.
BT Mentorship Program
Congratulations to our new BT Mentors!
If you are newer to AOA - if you've been employed for less than 6 months, you will be assigned a mentor. You will hear from them shortly! This is an excellent resource for you to help support your ABA skills and your employment with AOA.
BT REMINDERS
This area of the newsletter will address things related to your position as a Behavior Technician. We will give reminders that you may already be familiar with just as a refresher or for the purposes of reminding those who may not be aware of the information. We might also share new information related to your role as a BT.
Reminder(s) of the Month
BT REMINDERS: Remember that the Behavior Technician's role is to implement the client's programs. The BCBA creates and modifies the programs for the client based on their assessments, observations, and the data collected by the BT. If you feel that a program should be modified or a new program should be added, discuss this with your BCBA.
QBS TRAINING: For our Grand Rapids area staff, remember we are offering QBS training on July 18th and 19th from 8:00am - 4:00pm.
FEATURED ABA CONCEPT
This area of the newsletter will briefly review one ABA concept, strategy, or tip as a way to help you improve your ABA skills which will ultimately help us give the best quality services to our clients. We continue to strive for excellence in our services and want to support your growth in the field, as well.
Featured ABA Concept of the Month : Implement discontinuous measurement procedures
What are discontinuous measurement procedures?
Discontinuous measurement involves collecting data on some but not all of the occurrences of the behavior.
This data collection approach is often used when the behavior doesn't have a clear start and end, when a behavior occurs at a high rate so it is difficult to take data on every single instance that the behavior occurs, or when it is not practical to take data on every instance, such as the BT not having enough time to track the data because of other tasks that need to be completed.
Examples of discontinuous measurement
PARTIAL INTERVAL RECORDING - identifies if a behavior occurred at any point in a specified time period when a larger time period is broken into smaller durations
This will overestimate how often a behavior is occurring and so should be used on behaviors that you want to see reduced.
Example: A 3 hour ABA session is divided into 20 minute "chunks." Take data on each "chunk" - If the behavior occurred at any point during that time, that interval would be identified (showing the behavior occurred).
You will see this in Catalyst under the Behavior Data. See below for an example:
WHOLE INTERVAL RECORDING - identifies if a behavior occurred for the entire duration of a specified time period when a larger time period is broken into smaller durations
This will underestimate how often a behavior is occurring and so should be used on behaviors that you want to see increase in frequency.
Example: A 3 hour ABA session is divided into 20 minute "chunks." Take data on each "chunk" - If the behavior occurred for the entire duration of that time chunk, that interval would be identified (showing the behavior occurred).
You will see this in Catalyst under the Behavior Data, as well.
MOMENTARY TIME SAMPLING - identify whether a behavior is occurring at the end of a specified interval
Example: A 3 hour ABA session is divided into 30 minute "chunks." At every 30 minute mark, check to see whether the behavior is occurring.
Below is an example of a 2 minute momentary time sample. You might check to see if the child is attending to task at the end of every two minutes.
We have shared a few examples of discontinuous measurement procedures. Be sure you are collecting behavior data accurately and consistently for your client. The BCBA uses this data to analyze the client's behavior and to develop an effective intervention plan.
IMPORTANT DATES (Events, Closings, Etc.)
CLOSINGS
AOA Closed - July 4th
AOA Open - July 5th
EVENTS
Themed Client Activity: To celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY (4th of July)
Week of June 22-26
To celebrate Independence Day, AOA would like all of our centers (and home-based staff if you're able) to help our kiddos complete a craft representing the holiday.
This is a way to connect all of our BTs and kiddos and bring a greater sense of community to our team despite being in many different locations. Additionally, this activity gives our clients something new and exciting to experience which can incorporate mastered skills, current goals, or new skills as well as develop social and communication skills no matter the learner's needs or abilities. Feel free to contact your Center Coordinator or the BCBA overseeing your case for more guidance.
The craft we will complete is a paper plate American flag which supports a variety of skills such as fine motor skills and receptive language skills.
AOA will provide craft supplies if needed.
QBS Training (Grand Rapids location)
July 18 & 19 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
COMPANY VALUES
We would like to share the AOA core values with you. We strive to incorporate these values into everything we do. We hope you will embrace these values and demonstrate them throughout your work, as well.
THE AOA CORE VALUES INCLUDE:
Excellence
Compassion
Respect
Diversity
Positivity
THANK YOU
Thank you for all you do for your clients and for AOA. We appreciate you!
If you have any questions about this content, feel free to contact the Training & Development Director, Heather Gilmore, at hgilmore@autismofamerica.com. You are also welcome to contact your BCBA, center coordinator, or HR staff.
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