Commemorating International Day of Persons with Disabilities

On December 3 every year, the United Nations recognizes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which is a global day of observance that began in 1992. This awareness day calls for better understanding of disability issues as well as acceptance,… Read More

Universal Protocol Systems of Interaction in ABA Therapy: Creating a Unified, Dignified ABA Therapy Experience

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy continues to evolve as researchers and scientists learn information about the practice of ABA therapy and about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in general. Over time, leaders in the field have continuously improved to apply the principles of ABA therapy using more… Read More

ABA Special Education: A Guide for Coordinating ABA Therapy and Special Education Planning

The back-to-school season can be an exciting time of the year for families. There’s a lot of positive energy and possibility surrounding teachers, new friends, new school supplies, and so much more.  For families who have children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as… Read More

Acorn Health Clinicians Excel at Understanding and Treating Severe Problem Behaviors of Children with Autism

Severe problem behavior is defined as a significant emotional or behavior issue, which may include self-injury, destruction, and aggression. These types of behaviors can be challenging for families to navigate, and extremely common for individuals with autism. Because access to preferred items and activities are… Read More

Five Facts About Individualization in ABA Therapy

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is considered the gold standard treatment and therapy recommended for children with autism. It is highly individualized and tailored to meet the needs and goals of each client, while empowering a child’s unique strengths and personalities to shine through.  Here… Read More

ABA Family Guidance Tips

What are the goals of ABA Parent Guidance? The ultimate goal for a child who experiences Applied Behavior Analysis therapy at Acorn Health is that they graduate from therapy and are supported by those in their lives when intensive therapy is no… Read More

How to Identify a Quality ABA Provider

If your family is ready to find the best ABA therapy provider to support your child’s learning journey, there are many factors to consider. In this article, we’ve outlined what to look for on the facility’s website, what a conversation should be like with a provider, what to look for when you plan a visit, and more. At Acorn Health, we know that putting your trust in an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider is a decision not to be taken lightly. Here are aspects to consider so that you can choose a quality ABA provider that fits your family’s needs. Read More

How ABA Therapy Benefits Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Are you wondering if Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy should become a part of your child’s preschool experience this fall? If your child recently received an ASD diagnosis, you are likely inundated with making decisions, and balancing the time of your child between ABA therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and preschool, too! Learning more about the benefits of ABA therapy during preschool can help in that decision-making process. Consulting with your child’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or pediatrician can be another helpful perspective to consider when deciding when to begin ABA therapy. Read More

How Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy Works with Other Therapies for Children with Autism

When a child participates in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, they are working toward specific goals, but they are also learning how to learn from their natural environment everyday. ABA therapy teaches them how to positively work with a teacher, sit and wait for instructions, and systems of positive and negative consequences associated with specific behaviors. These learned systems can help them potentially be productive learners in other types of therapy that support what they are learning during ABA therapy. Read More

Maintaining ABA Therapy Progress Over the Summer Months

Are you concerned your child has or may drop skills over the summer months? There are signs to look for that could help you identify that happening sooner than later. One of the clearest signs that a skill is regressing is if the child fails to utilize a skill under conditions in which it was previously taught. For example, if a learner was taught to wash their hands after using the bathroom and maintained the skill for several weeks after learning it, but the parent observes them skipping this part of the toileting routine. This is a clear sign the learner might need a few booster teaching sessions. There could be several reasons why this happens. Read More

A Guide to Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy for Children with Autism

ABA therapy is a flexible therapy that is adapted for each child. ABA stands for “applied behavior analysis” and teaches skills that are necessary and useful in everyday life. ABA therapy helps an individual become more independent over time and be as successful as possible in school and at home. It is designed based on each child’s individual needs and preferences to provide positive reinforcement in activities they do on a daily basis. It helps strengthen positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors. This guide based on the most commonly asked questions from parents will outline what is involved in ABA therapy and what to expect if you are considering it as a treatment option for your child. Read More

Clinical Systems Demonstrates Acorn Health’s Commitment to Pioneering Next Practices in ABA Therapy

Acorn Health has proudly paved the way to provide families and children innovative and effective ABA therapy that enhances their lives. One specific way our core values have been on display recently is the creation and rollout of our Clinical Systems. Clinical systems are organized groups of practitioners at Acorn Health across the United States who create resources and processes dedicated to behavior analytic goals and functions within the organization. These are 10 active workstreams that demonstrate how our teams are committed to growth and teamwork. At its core, ABA therapy promotes ongoing research of the latest advancements in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treatment. We are applying those principles in our Clinical Systems to provide the most advanced resources for our team of clinicians.   Read More

10 ABA Therapy Terms To Know

Has your child recently started ABA therapy? Or, did your child recently receive an autism diagnosis? As you seek out resources to help your family down this path, you may start to hear new terms that are foreign to you, making meetings with specialists confusing or possibly even frustrating. Your team at Acorn Health has put together a list of the top 10 terms used in ABA, with simple definitions to explain what they mean. Now, during your next meeting with an ABA therapist, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect.  Read More

What Is An ABA Assessment?

You may be asking why it’s necessary to conduct another assessment for your child. An ABA assessment is one of the most important steps in your child’s ABA journey. It gives the Acorn Health team the information that’s needed to tailor the program to the child’s skill level, setting specific goals based on the assessment’s outcomes. Without the data gathered from the assessment, the demands of the program may be too difficult or too easy.  The assessment and subsequent treatment plan is also provided to insurers so that ABA therapy can be officially approved and covered under a family's insurance plan. Read More

The Value of Early Intervention ABA Therapy

While early intervention therapy can be performed in either a highly structured setting or a more naturalistic setting such as a play environment, the most important aspect is that your child is relaxed and engaged. Our goal is to teach from joy — all children deserve to have access to enjoyable learning opportunities. The key to success for parents and children is consistency, whether it is 10 or 40 hours of therapy per week.   Early intervention ABA therapy will also teach parents how to teach their children how to learn appropriate behaviors in their own natural environment. Families can “graduate” from therapy once children are able to acquire new skills at an appropriate rate.   Read More