ABA materials

[Guest guest]

My name is Dartt. I am an ABA therapist and have

worked in various programs in the Kansas City area for the past 6

years.

One problem I have come across, which I believe to be long

standing problem in every fast paced therapy program, is that the

development of materials is always falling behind the child's

learning rate. Programs are often on hold waiting for materials,

exemplars are not generalized because materials are not a priority

after a skill is mastered, and the child (and staff) get board with

over-practice and start making errors!

I know it is not difficult to cut pictures out of a magazine,

or gather adjective pairs from around the house, but it often takes

more time than parents are able to contribute themselves, or able to

pay a senior staff member to work. Shopping for materials can be a

huge hassle when you need multiples of identical items, similar items

in a variety of colors and sizes. And, ordering pre-made flash cards

can't teach relatives names or pronouns " I " and " We " . It has been

suggested to me more than once that there needs to be a place where

parents, staff, program directors and consultants can just call and

order up exactly what they need (I think e called it a " stimuli

drive thru " J). Well, that is exactly what I would like to start.

I would like to start a small company (so far I am the owner

and the only employee J) in which consultants and parents can order

individualized materials for home therapy programs. All of my

materials will be homemade (when possible) and use the most cost

effective means for production (that means old cereal boxes, paper

towel rolls, magazines, etc.). I realize that items found in the

child's everyday environment are typically the most important

stimuli. Therefore, I am also willing to come to the home or therapy

site to take necessary photographs or help gather materials already

in the environment.

By being in contact with the consultant, or attending

occasional team meetings, I would be able to prepare materials for

upcoming programs so that teams can continue to move a program

forward just as quickly as the child can learn! I can also

continually update materials for mastered programs to avoid

stagnation. This service would be very individualized, so that each

child and each program can have exactly the right materials that will

work for them.

Data management is another part of ABA programs that is

difficult to maintain. I can do as needed data analysis (acquisition

rates for program evaluations, or IEPs) or maintain regular daily

percentage graphing.

Cost will be based on cost of materials, and an hourly fee for

services. Clients will be required to pay a small deposit, and then

billed the remainder after they have received their order. One day

I hope to have a website, but at this point potential clients can

contact me via email (vdartt8@...).

In order to keep our kids learning as fast as they possibly can, we

need to be one step ahead of them. I can help. Please contact me

with any questions, concerns, or feedback.

Sincerely,

Dartt

vdartt8@...