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Determining Learning Goals

FirstSteps’ Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment program utilizes behavior analytic principles to teach your child new skills and reduce behavior challenges.

Generally speaking, your child’s behavior (remember, behavior means everything a person does) may be sorted into three categories, which serve as a starting point for intervention:

Appropriate Behavior

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Deficient Behavior

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Barriers to Learning

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Appropriate behavior is skill or behavior that is considered "appropriate" if it is within the range of those exhibited by same-age peers, thus often referred to as being "age appropriate." Appropriate behaviors already in your child's repertoire will not be a focus of intervention, though always will be reinforced.
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Deficient behavior is a skill or behavior that is considered “deficient” if determined to be below the range exhibited by same-age peers and prevents the child from functioning independently across environments. These behaviors become the instructional targets for their ABA program.

Examples of frequently observed skill deficits that we help our kids learn:

  • Language & Communication
  • Play Skills
  • Social Skills
  • Motor Skills
  • Self-Care & Adaptive Behavior
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Barriers to learning are challenging behaviors(s) that are developed and interfere with new learning. In many cases these particular behaviors are very frequent and/or remarkably intense. As such the focus of intervention is to reduce both the frequency and intensity of these behaviors over time.

Examples of frequently observed barrier behavior that we help our children overcome:

  • Tantrum Behavior
  • Aggression
  • Self-Injury
  • Stereotypy
  • Rigidity | Rituals
  • Pica

Thus, at FirstSteps, we will first identify your child’s interests, preferences, and strengths. We will take the time to understand WHY they engage in particular behaviors that are of concern (often it is to communicate!) and HOW we can replace that behavior with a new skill to serve the same function. By understanding the WHY, we are able to teach your child new ways to express their needs in a manner that makes their lives easier and facilitates the development of positive social relationships.

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FirstSteps Curriculum