Frequently Asked Questions

An ABA programme is a comprehensive, individualised intervention plan based on Applied Behaviour Analysis principles. Each programme includes:

• Initial assessment using tools like VB-MAPP to identify your child's current skills and learning needs
• Goal setting in collaboration with your family, focusing on what matters most to you
• Structured teaching sessions delivered by trained tutors using evidence-based techniques
• Ongoing data collection to track progress and ensure interventions are working
• Regular progress reviews with programme adjustments based on your child's development
• Family training and support to help you implement strategies at home

Programmes are tailored to your child's unique needs and can address communication, social skills, behaviour, academic learning, and daily living skills.

Your ABA Team:

• Certified BCBA Consultant (Me) - Designs and oversees your child's programme, conducts assessments, sets goals, trains tutors, monitors progress, and adjusts strategies
• Your Child - The most important member! Their interests, strengths, and needs guide everything we do
• Parents/Caregivers - Equal partners in the programme, implementing strategies at home and providing valuable insights about your child
• ABA Tutors - Deliver direct therapy sessions with your child. Tutors are hired and employed by you (the parents), though I provide full support with recruitment, training, and ongoing supervision
• Other Professionals - As needed, we collaborate with speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, and other specialists supporting your child

The duration of an ABA programme varies significantly based on individual needs, goals, and progress. Some key factors include:

• Child's age and current skill level - Earlier intervention often leads to faster progress
• Programme intensity - Some children benefit from intensive support, others from focused intervention
• Specific goals - Some skills develop quickly, while others require longer-term support
• Family preferences - You decide what works best for your family

We regularly review progress together and adjust the programme as your child develops.

My practice is grounded in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), which combines the scientific rigour of ABA with a person-centred, quality-of-life focus. This means:

• You and your child are at the centre - Goals reflect what matters most to your family
• Holistic approach - We focus on improving overall wellbeing, not just reducing behaviours
• Dignity and respect - All strategies maintain your child's autonomy and preferences
• 19 years of experience - I've worked at every level of ABA, from tutor to BCBA
• Family collaboration - You're an equal partner in your child's programme

I understand the real-world challenges families face because I've implemented programmes in homes and schools throughout my career.

VB-MAPP (Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program) is a comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates language and learning skills in children with autism and developmental differences.

The assessment includes:

• Milestones assessment - Evaluates 170 learning and language milestones across 16 skill areas
• Barriers assessment - Identifies obstacles that may impede learning
• Transition assessment - Evaluates readiness for less restrictive educational settings

The VB-MAPP takes approximately 3 hours and provides a detailed picture of your child's current abilities, helping us create targeted, effective intervention goals.

Why it matters: A thorough assessment ensures we're teaching skills in the right order, at the right level, and addressing any barriers to learning.

I typically recommend reassessment every 6-12 months, though this can vary based on:

• Your child's rate of progress
• Significant changes in skills or behaviour
• Transitions (e.g., starting school, changing settings)
• Funding requirements (some local authorities require annual assessments)

Between formal reassessments, we continuously monitor progress through ongoing data collection during therapy sessions.

In addition to VB-MAPP, I use:

• Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Assesses daily living skills, socialisation, and communication in real-world settings
• Early Behavioural Intervention Curriculum (EBIC) - A comprehensive curriculum divided into three modules (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) that guides practitioners to understand the controlling variables of skills and derive effective procedures to promote generative behaviour across developmental areas. While entirely behavioural in scope, EBIC draws heavily on principles of childhood development
• Functional Behaviour Assessments (FBA) - When challenging behaviours need to be addressed
• Skills tracking tools - For specific areas like toileting, feeding, or social skills
• Curriculum-based assessments - For academic skills when appropriate

The combination of tools used depends on your child's age, needs, and the areas you want to focus on.

Training for both parents and tutors is a crucial component of successful ABA programmes. Training includes:

• Learning ABA principles - Understanding how behaviour works and how learning happens
• Hands-on practice - I demonstrate techniques and coach you as you practise with the child
• Data collection training - Learning to track progress and identify patterns
• Behaviour management strategies - Evidence-based approaches to common challenges
• Programme implementation - How to deliver teaching sessions effectively and follow programme protocols
• Generalisation support - Helping the child use skills across different settings and people
• Ongoing guidance - Regular check-ins, feedback, and problem-solving support

For Parents: Training empowers you to support your child's learning at home, understand their programme, and work collaboratively with the therapy team. Can be delivered one-to-one, in small groups, or through my structured 7-module workshop.

For Tutors: Comprehensive training ensures tutors can deliver ABA programmes with fidelity, collect accurate data, and respond appropriately to the child's needs. Includes initial training before starting, ongoing supervision, and continuous professional development.

This depends on your preferences and your child's needs. Options include:

• Parent observation - You can observe sessions to learn techniques (especially helpful when starting)
• Independent sessions - Tutors work with your child while you attend to other tasks
• Parent participation - You join sessions to practise strategies with coaching
• Flexible approach - A combination based on what works for your family

Many families start with more observation and gradually transition to less direct involvement as they become confident with strategies.

Important: During BCBA-led workshops and training sessions, at least one family member must be present to ensure effective learning and implementation of strategies.

This is a structured 7-module training programme designed specifically for parents who are new to ABA therapy. It covers:

• Module 1: Understanding ABA and PBS fundamentals
• Module 2: How children learn and the principles of reinforcement
• Module 3: Effective teaching strategies you can use at home
• Module 4: Understanding and addressing challenging behaviour
• Module 5: Building communication and language skills
• Module 6: Data collection and tracking progress
• Module 7: Generalisation and maintaining skills

Each module includes practical strategies you can implement immediately, plus printable guides to track your child's progress.

I provide tutor recruitment assistance rather than directly employing tutors. This model has several advantages:

• You have full control - Tutors are employed directly by you, so you choose who works with your child
• Flexibility - You set the hours and schedule that work for your family
• Continuity - Your tutors are committed to your child, not an agency
• Cost-effective - No agency fees or markups

I provide:

• Guidance on recruitment and interviewing
• Job description templates
• Comprehensive tutor training
• Ongoing supervision and support
• Quality assurance

ABA therapy costs vary depending on the type and intensity of services. Typical services include:

• Initial VB-MAPP assessment - One-time comprehensive evaluation
• Programme development and supervision - BCBA consultant time
• Tutor implementation hours - Direct therapy delivery (tutors employed by families)
• Parent training - Individual or workshop format

Funding options:

• Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) - Local authority funding
• Personal budgets
• Private health insurance
• Self-funding

Please contact me for specific pricing information and guidance on accessing funding for your situation.

I provide services throughout London and surrounding areas, including:

• Mayfair
• Kensington
• Harrow
• Barnet
• Brent
• Ealing
• Hillingdon

I also work with families in other London boroughs and surrounding areas. Contact me to discuss whether I can support your family's location.

Yes! Collaboration with schools and other professionals is an important part of supporting your child. I offer:

• School consultations - Working with teachers and SENCOs to implement strategies in the classroom
• Professional training - Training school staff in ABA techniques and behaviour support
• Transition planning - Supporting moves between settings or year groups
• Multi-disciplinary collaboration - Working alongside speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals
• EHCP support - Providing reports and attending meetings

Consistency across home, school, and other settings helps your child generalise skills more effectively.

The first consultation is an opportunity for us to meet and discuss whether ABA therapy is right for your child. During this free consultation, we'll:

• Discuss your concerns - What challenges are you facing? What are your goals?
• Learn about your child - Their strengths, interests, current skills, and needs
• Explain how ABA works - I'll answer all your questions about the approach
• Discuss next steps - Including assessment, programme development, and potential timelines
• Talk about practicalities - Costs, funding options, tutor recruitment, and scheduling

There's no obligation to proceed after the consultation. It's simply a chance to see if we're a good fit for your family.

A new diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Here's what I recommend:

• Book a free consultation - Let's discuss your child's needs and your concerns
• Consider the "New to ABA" workshop - Learn the fundamentals of ABA and strategies you can start using immediately
• Explore funding options - I can guide you through EHCP applications and other funding sources
• Connect with other families - Support networks can be invaluable
• Take your time - There's no rush. We'll work at a pace that suits your family

Remember: early intervention is beneficial, but starting when you feel ready is what matters most.

ABA can benefit individuals at any age. While early intervention (starting between ages 2-6) often leads to faster progress, I've successfully worked with:

• Toddlers - Building foundational communication and learning skills
• Preschoolers - Preparing for school and developing independence
• School-age children - Addressing academic, social, and behavioural needs
• Teenagers - Focusing on independence, social skills, and transition planning

The goals and approaches adapt to your child's age and developmental stage. It's never too late to start learning new skills.

Progress in ABA is measured objectively through systematic data collection. You'll know it's working when you see:

• New skills emerging - Your child doing things they couldn't do before
• Increased independence - Less prompting needed for familiar tasks
• Better communication - More effective ways of expressing needs and wants
• Reduced challenging behaviour - Problems decreasing as alternative skills develop
• Generalisation - Skills being used across different settings and people

We'll review data together regularly, and you'll receive clear graphs and summaries showing progress towards each goal. If something isn't working, we adjust the approach - that's the beauty of data-driven therapy.