Autism Screening in Las Vegas
As we may have mentioned, our professionals at Nevada Autism Center In Las Vegas are highly trained and dedicated to their work. They carry out a variety of evaluations and assessments prior to making any suggestions or recommendations, per the extensive and comprehensive Ethics code they are bound to by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
This ethics code is dynamic and binds BCBAs to utilize the most effective, appropriate assessments for each client’s specific circumstances. They must remain up to date on all findings in the ABA community to further their knowledge of the practice of behavior modification and offer new, science-based treatment methods for the clients they serve.
Assessments are carried out by BCBAs in the form of direct and indirect assessments and functional analyses (FAs). Direct assessments include direct contact with you, your family, and your child, while indirect assessments may take the form of various questionnaires and checklists to be completed by you, your child’s primary care physician, and anyone else with significant knowledge of your child.
Functional Analyses are directly observed with manipulated circumstances with your child to observe maladaptive behaviors and attempt to hypothesize their function.
Altogether, direct, and indirect assessments and functional analyses will form a picture of your child and their needs.
Assessments evaluate a variety of skills to identify strengths, weaknesses, and deficits. Expect to see these skills evaluated at some point during the intake process, either by direct or indirect assessment
- Attention
- Problem-solving
- Memory
- Language
- IQ
- Academic skills
- Visual-spatial skills
- Social-emotional functioning
- Daily living skills
- Play and leisure skills
Comprehensive assessments and evaluations are a critical component of any ABA therapy program, and our BCBAs are highly skilled at selecting appropriate tests and interventions for your child’s needs. Using indirect assessments such as the QABF will help to identify the function of their behavior.
Once the function has been identified, BCBAs can then design a program that eliminates the maladaptive behavior and redirects it to an appropriate behavior instead.
Rate how often the student demonstrates the behaviors in situations where they might occur. Be sure to rate how often each behavior occurs, not what you think a good answer would be.
X = Doesn’t Apply 0 = Never 1 = Rarely 2 = Some 3 = Often
- Engages in the behavior to get attention
- Engages in the behavior to escape work or learning situations
- Engages in the behavior as a form of “self-stimulation.”
- Engages in the behavior because he/she is in pain.
- Engages in the behavior to get access to items such as preferred toys, food, or beverages.
- Engages in the behavior because he/she likes to be reprimanded.
- Engages in the behavior when asked to do something (get dressed, brush teeth, work, etc.)
- Engages in the behavior even if he/she thinks no one is in the room.
- Engages in the behavior more frequently when he/she is ill.
- Engages in the behavior when you take something away from him/her.
This is just one of many useful, science-based assessments used within the field of ABA to help our NAC professionals get to know your child better. Obviously, you know your child the best, so our BCBAs will listen carefully to any concerns you may have and will do their best to observe and address them in therapy.
Don’t be shy! The more information given and the better the level of communication, the better the outcome and potential for progress your child will likely experience.