Blog Archive

At Behavior Frontiers, we have always prided ourselves on our involvement in, and support of, our local autism communities. Over the past year, we (along with everyone else) have had to take a step back in order to prioritize safety. We are now pleased to announce that, with vaccinations rolling out nationwide, we are returning to in-person events! Read more…

Brushing teeth can seem like a daunting task! Many of our little ones simply don’t like the feeling of brushing their teeth. While this skill can seem like one that can be placed on the backburner, good oral hygiene is necessary to maintain the condition for one’s overall health. Fortunately, there are several ways caregivers and loved ones can support our kiddos as they learn to take better care of their teeth. Read more…

Tech Enabled Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Teams Nationwide Behavior Frontiers has developed and launched a new proprietary electronic data collection software, PrioraCare, which is now rolling out to over 40 locations nationwide. This new software was developed specifically for the needs of Behavior Frontiers team members and clients; it will improve client outcomes through better and faster communication between behavior technicians and clinical management staff, as well as through increased accuracy and speed of data collection. Read the press release here!

If you work in the ABA field (or are interested in doing so), you know how many options you have for employment. It can be hard to sift through all of the jargon to determine where you actually want to work, put down roots, and build your career. We at Behavior Frontiers are always working toward becoming the best ABA provider in the industry for professional growth. With that in mind, we recently surveyed our employees about their experience working with us, and we were thrilled by the response. So here it is: five reasons you should consider working with Behavior Frontiers, from the perspective of our current employees. Read more…

While having a child is one of the most magical and amazing times in a new parent’s life, having a child newly diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can lead to increased anxiety, stress, and a new set of fears and concerns. Although there is no blood test or medical test for a doctor to use to determine if a child has ASD, a child can receive a diagnosis from their doctor through observation, input from their parent, and various assessment or testing tools to make that determination. Read more…

Our own Rocio Nuñez, Associate Clinical Director in San Fernando Valley , was recently published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis! She (along with four other ABA professionals) decided to tackle a very interesting topic: teaching young children how to understand double-meaning jokes. For example, “Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven ate nine!” This joke requires the listener to be able to understand that “ate” can also be heard as “eight”. Children below a certain age (or developmental age) tend to have trouble comprehending jokes that rely on this type of humor. Rocio and her team set out to determine if appreciation and understanding of these types of jokes could be taught to young children. Read more…

Behavior Frontiers is happy to once again be celebrating World Autism Month. Though we can’t be together in our offices this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate! From our annual office decoration contest being extended to home offices, to our team phone calls getting some much-loved World Autism Month backgrounds, we are continuing to find ways to celebrate the autism community and all that they offer. We aim to create a world without limits for the autism community, and not even a pandemic can stop us in that goal!

Using a token system is a great way to reward your child for engaging in behaviors that we want to see more often. A token system can be a sticker chart, have Velcro attachments, or even be hand-drawn. The idea is that the child engages in a wanted behavior or skill and they earn a certain number of tokens. Then once they earn all the tokens, they turn them in or trade them in for a “back-up reinforcer,” or the final prize or reward. Read more…

As the application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) grows, and more people enter the field, it is inevitable that ABA practitioners will both work with and serve people from a background they do not share. Whether this looks like working with someone whose traditions are unfamiliar to us or integrating cultural considerations into a treatment plan for a child that we serve, an appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion is incredibly important to anyone in the ABA field. Read more…

Children with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder are covered under the law titled Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (or IDEA). This law ensures individuals receive a free and appropriate education from any public school system across the nation. It helps to ensure children receive special education and any supportive services they need. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, many parents are left wondering how IDEA is affected by the COVID pandemic and if their children with disabilities are still entitled to receive a free and appropriate education from their local school. Read more…

BHCOE (Behavioral Health Centers of Excellence) has recognized Behavior Frontiers with a 2-Year Reaccreditation, acknowledging the organization as a behavioral service provider dedicated to continuous improvement in applied behavior analysis. This means that we have excelled in the areas of clinical quality, staff qualifications, and consumer satisfaction and promote systems that enhance these areas. Read more…

Individuals diagnosed with Autism may struggle with sensory issues. Areas to consider include both an overreactive or under-reactive response to textures, sounds, lights, smells, spatial awareness, and tastes. Overactive responses to sensory items (i.e., the sound of a hairdryer) can result in problem behaviors including tantrums, screaming, and/or eloping as a means of escaping the sensory scenario. Under-reactive responses can be hazardous as well, given that our senses alert us of potential dangers. For example, the smell of smoke and the sounds of an alarm can indicate that a fire may be nearby. Read more…

Traveling can be an exciting venture for your family and yourself. Planning and preparation are keys for success for traveling with your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and your family. When traveling, by plane or a planned road trip, planning and preparation can help everyone have a more successful and enjoyable experience. Read more…

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) consists of a range of developmental disabilities that impact each individual across social, motor-sensory, and communication domains. The expression of ASD within each individual will vary—meaning no two individuals who are diagnosed with ASD look exactly alike. There are, however, signs across each of these domains that can help parents remain vigilant about seeking assistance from their healthcare providers. Examples of deficits to look out for at an early age (as early as 1 year old) include: Read more…

We asked our Behavior Frontiers employees to share their Valentines and we were overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness put into this request. We are happy to share the love this year!

Preparing your child for novel or new situations can be both exciting and daunting. This is especially true with a child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder or who struggles with sensory issues. Often, new routines or activities can be overwhelming and can potentially lead to a variety of problem behaviors, so it is important to be prepared and have a plan. Here are some tips and strategies for making the haircut process easier for them and for you. Read more…

During this time of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to maintain consistency at home. As parents, creating structure is one of the most important things we can do for our children. For example, dance class or baseball practice is always on the same day at the same time and bedtime is typically around the same time every night, etc. These are routines that we have created to ensure success for our children. Read more…

The Standardized Diagnostic tool for testing for autism in children is referred to as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which allows a clinician to accurately assess and diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders across age, developmental level, and language skills. You will see an ADOS used at pediatric hospitals, with independent clinicians, school systems, etc. Read more…

Behavior Frontiers team members from across the country took the time last week to show off our furry friends, in our first ever “National Dress Up Your Pet Day” Contest! We received a great number of submissions, with people submitting photos of their dogs, cats, turtles, and even fish, dressed up in their best clothing and costumes. After voting, we wound up with three big winners, one from each category (large dogs, small dogs, cats and other small animals), as well as two runners up. A huge congratulations to all of our winners, and thanks for showing off your adorable pet pals!

The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written contract between the family and the educational entity that outlines the child’s educational goals. Children with autism or other developmental disabilities over the age of 3 receive an IEP in a public educational setting. Each IEP must be tailored to meet the needs of that individual child, so it is important to review the contract to ensure these needs are being met. In order to develop an IEP, it is required by law that specific people attend the IEP meeting including the parents, the child’s teacher, other collaborating professionals, and the child (if appropriate). Other persons are welcome if they are a part of the team such as an advocate or a representative or a non public agency, etc. The parent is a big part of the IEP team, so it is important that they are a part of the process in developing the IEP for their child. As a parent, it is important to also share information regarding your child’s needs, expectations, and current skill set.