Valley Behavioral Health

ABA Therapy and Autism Treatment

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VBH Earns National Distinction as Behavioral Health Center of Excellence

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St. Clairsville, OH – BHCOE Accreditation has recognized Valley Behavioral Health with a 2- Year Accreditation, acknowledging the organization as a behavioral service provider dedicated to continuous improvement in applied behavior analysis. BHCOE Accreditation recognizes behavioral health providers that excel in the areas of clinical quality, staff qualifications and consumer satisfaction and promote systems that enhance these areas. These areas are measured with a wide-ranging audit, including interviews with agency clinical leadership, in-depth on-site observation, a detailed staff qualification review, an anonymous staff satisfaction survey, and an anonymous consumer satisfaction survey.

BHCOE Accreditation is the only applied behavioral analysis (ABA)-specific accreditation. It provides feedback regarding clinical best practices, staff satisfaction and turnover, and consumer protection. Acting as a third-party, the organization systematically measures and reports on existing quality criteria in the behavior analysis community using standardized methods and practices, and accredits only those service agencies that meet these standards.

“At Valley Behavioral Health, we aim to provide the highest quality of behavioral services so that our clients can make meaningful progress,” said Jackelyn Moran, Owner of Valley Behavioral Health. “We are excited to earn BHCOE Accreditation because it demonstrates our team’s commitment to always working to be our best for our clients and their families.”

“We are committed to helping shape the field  of behavior analysis to include the most kind and effective treatment which is known to improve skills and mental health,” said Dana Tovcimak, Clinical Director at Valley Behavioral Health. “We are excited to have earned BHCOE Accreditation as it is a reflection of our commitment to having all children and families respected and willingly learn to achieve their greatest potential.”

Learn more about services offered by Valley Behavioral Health here.

About BHCOE Accreditation – BHCOE Accreditation is a trusted source that recognizes behavioral health organizations committed to continuous quality improvement. BHCOE offers a third-party measurement system that differentiates and provides independent feedback on clinical quality indicators. The BHCOE criterion features standards that subject-matter experts developed to measure effective applied behavior analysis services. For more information, visit www.bhcoe.org.

Does my child need help?

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“We’ve tried everything… I don’t know what to do.” Every child struggles with tantrums and concerning behaviors now and then. But, what do you do you if your child is having excessive behavioral concerns or you believe they may not be meeting developmental milestones?
There is help out there. You are not alone. Your child can progress even if they have significant needs.
So…what do you do? Every state and area has different resources and services available to families, but here are some basic steps to getting started and where to look to find support.

  1. Do some research, write down exactly what your concerns are, and have specific questions ready.
  2. Talk with your pediatrician. They should be able to do a basic screening and can refer you to an evaluator who can do a comprehensive assessment.
  3. Make an appointment with to get your child evaluated. Choose an evaluator based on their specialty and recommendations from others. Evaluations are completed by a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or a specialized clinic with multiple professionals. Based on the information you provide and the specialist’s evaluation of your child, they will provide you with a comprehensive report of their assessment. Getting an evaluation is a key step in order to access any other services and to getting the support you need. Funding for most services is only available for individuals with a diagnosis. It may be difficult, especially in more rural areas, to find a doctor near you that specializes in evaluating children and many families choose to travel to a nearby city for a comprehensive assessment.
  4. Find Services. If your child is given a diagnosed, there are a variety of services and resources available. Insurance companies may fund different services depending on the diagnosis given and what is considered to be effective treatment for that diagnosis. Your doctor will make recommendations for services and supports in their evaluation report.
  5. Don’t wait. It may take months to get a diagnosis, and even more time to get access to treatment. Many evaluators and service providers will have wait lists. Most areas have a many more children with needs than they do providers. It is best to make appointments as soon as possible and get on wait lists. For example, for children diagnosed with autism, ABA Therapy is best practice and has been demonstrated to provide the best possible outcomes. But, providers are limited and many have wait lists or limited availability.

Remember:

  • Do your own research. Not all doctors or service providers are created equal. All have different skills and specialties and it is important to find support from professionals who can meet your specific needs. Sometimes you may not even be informed of what treatment or resources to seek out.
  • Be your child’s advocate. Talk to other parents in your area, your school, county boards, support and advocacy groups, etc. Talk to anyone who might know what’s available. Services may not be offered to you unless you ask. Know your child’s rights and find supports who will help you along the way.

What is ABA anyway?

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In short, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the application of the science of human behavior applied to socially significant behaviors.  ABA therapy works to address areas of need that impact an individual’s (or group of individuals) ability to be successful in life.

If you are a parent or practitioner who uses or has a child who receives ABA Treatment, you may find explaining ABA to be difficult; ABA can look vastly different for one individual than another.  It also may be difficult to know if you are truly receiving ABA treatment. If you are a parent… how do you know if your child is receiving is ABA? In Pennsylvania, families who were told they were receiving ABA therapy discovered that their children were in fact not receiving ABA.  This resulted in a pretty significant lawsuit against the Department of Public Welfare. Unfortunately, families continue to have this challenge.

This quick list may help clarify what ABA is … and what it is not.

ABA FACTS….

  • ABA is the study of human behavior.
  • ABA is the only approved treatment for Autism by the AMA, CDC, and Surgeon General, among others.
  • ABA is always to include the teaching of new skills and behaviors
  • ABA ALWAYS includes data analysis and treatment decisions are based on that data
  • If a learner is not making progress, the ABA team will analyze data and environment and modify the plan.  
  • ABA uses assessments and instruction techniques based on the learner’s needs and level of abilities.
  • ABA is always to provide positive treatment and interventions and include documentation of those interventions.
  • Any intervention which includes punishment within an ABA program REQUIRES written permission from the family.
  • Behavior Analysts recognize that living beings can learn by having changes made to their environment and by attending to an individual’s motivation.
  • ABA Therapy is to be provided and supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts
  • ABA therapy is effective in making positive change in many populations including individuals with intellectual and developmental delays, traumatic brain injury, dementia, addiction, anxiety, among others.  

 

ABA is NOT…

… Used only for Autism

… Negative or aversive for children

… Just using pictures or schedules with a child who has Autism

… Sitting at a table teaching trials

… Limited to discrete trial

… Having a child sit in a chair for long periods of time.

… The use of punishment procedures without written consent of the family (ever!)

… Just taking data on behavior and reporting that data

… An intervention or specific strategy,… it is a discipline and a science

Welcome Dana!

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Valley Behavioral Health is pleased to welcome Dana Cleary Tovcimak to the team! Dana has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA) since 2004. She served in the capacity of a Partial Hospital/School Director as well as a Director of Behavior Analysis for children in the Pittsburgh Area. Most recently, Dana has been an ABA Therapist for a leading Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. Her experience and training in ABA Therapy, family systems, and Mental health provides her with a wealth of knowledge that will enhance our ability to ‘accelerate learning’ for every child that we have the opportunity to serve. Dana is a perfect match for our culture and will support our team in creating positive experiences for our children and families. Dana is excited to join the Valley Behavioral Health team!

Looking for services? We provide ABA Therapy in the following locations: Saint Clairsville OH, Bridgeport OH, Wheeling WV, Weirton WV, and all across the Ohio Valley.

“We hire the best, treat them the best, and expect the best.”