Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy centers shine as beacons of hope, committed to surmounting the distinct challenges faced by autistic children. To augment their therapy sessions and achieve desired results, the involvement of parents is invaluable. As caregivers, they require the right guidance and support to create a nurturing environment conducive to their child’s comprehensive development and quality of life.

Blue Iris Behavioral Services, a locally owned ABA therapy provider, is changing the course of autism care through its holistic ABA therapy services and support offered to children and their families. It provides effective interventions in a child’s self-care, social, and group skills, reduction of maladaptive behaviors, classroom management, and verbal communication.

What sets it apart is its approach to involving parents and guardians in the child’s treatment process, which is driven by its belief that parental involvement is key to the therapy’s success. Accordingly, Blue Iris educates and trains them to effectively work with their child through their behavioral issues and create a wholesome environment for the child’s behavioral development, even when trained therapists are unavailable.

“Our goal is to serve families with autistic children, addressing the child requiring intervention and educating parents about their specific challenges,” says Diliana Polanco, president of Blue Iris Behavioral Services and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Dedicated to ease access to ABA therapy, Blue Iris delivers therapy sessions in client residences and educational institutions.
This relieves parents from the need to commute with their children to a center for therapy.

Its ABA team evaluates each child’s skill level, including their emotional, psychological and cognitive function, and creates an individualized treatment plan (ITP). Before commencing the therapy, the therapists meet the child’s parents during an intake appointment, where they discuss their concerns and treatment goals in a comfortable and open environment.

The therapists also conduct monthly family training sessions where they discuss various techniques, treatment progress, and strategies outlined in the treatment plan with parents. It ensures that children are equipped with the essential tools they require to reach their full potential and to thrive at home, at school, and in the wider community.

While formulating the ITP, Blue Iris relies on precise data collection and employs evidence-based interventions. Its registered behavior technicians (RBTs) use specialized software to track patient data while working per the recommendations of a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA). The BCBA crafts a treatment plan with measurable goals and objectives, where behaviors are broken down by frequency and triggers, allowing therapists to closely monitor progress.

The elaborate treatment process and diligent progress monitoring proved advantageous when Blue Iris worked with a child having behavioral issues. He exhibited stereotypical noises, primarily in response to feeling ignored or lacking parental attention. Recognizing the child’s difficulty in expressing emotions, the RBT therapist introduced verbal tools and encouraged their use through positive reinforcement. The parents were also advised to consistently acknowledge the child’s emotions.

Over a six-month period, the child’s behavior significantly improved. He had stopped making the noises altogether and had learned to express himself verbally, marking a positive development in his communication skills.

To make further inroads into ABA therapy, Blue Iris plans to introduce a holistic wellness initiative called Salix Behavioral and Wellness Services to address children’s behavior and mental health issues in one place. It intends to provide hands-on support, including individual therapy, for parents and guardians facing emotional and caregiving challenges.

Blue Iris Behavioral Services has evolved into a vital support system for parents keen to bring a profound impact on the lives of children with behavioral or developmental needs. With its therapy services and education initiatives, parents can rest assured they can be partners on their child’s journey to live a fulfilling and productive life.