Newsletter
Volume 29 | 2006 | Number 2
Organizational Members*
ABA is pleased to welcome its newest Organizational Member, TheraCare. This section of the newsletter introduces TheraCare and provides background about its work and services.
TheraCare
TheraCare is a multi-service healthcare and education organization that provides rehabilitation, developmental, and educational services within the five boroughs of New York; Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Nassau and Suffolk counties; and throughout New Jersey and Connecticut. We serve clients of all ages, from birth through geriatrics. TheraCare offers early intervention, preschool, and school age programs to children who are eligible for services at no cost to their families. In addition, throughout New Jersey we provide comprehensive in-home behavioral health services to children ages 5 to 21 and their families. TheraCare provides quality programs and services to children in the most natural and least restrictive environment. We “reach and teach” children by individualizing programs to best meet each child’s needs. Our unique program focuses on collaborating and working together with teachers and parents in school and in homes. TheraCare strives to foster each child’s growth, development, and independence and bridges the gap between developmental delays and positive outcomes.
TheraCare’s Early Intervention program for children birth to three years offers an extensive array of services such as evaluations; initial and ongoing service coordination; occupational, physical, speech and language therapies; counseling and social work services; special instruction; applied behavior analysis (ABA); and neonatal services for children with medically complex needs. This program focuses on family training and education with expectations of family follow through and carry over. We make place a high priority on inviting parents and caregivers to become partners in their child’s services. Our service coordinators and service providers assist families in a smooth transition into the preschool program if continuation of services is necessary.
In addition to the services listed above, TheraCare’s Preschool program for children 3-5 years old also offers special education services including applied behavior analysis services. Services for children ages 5-21 in the school age program, are available through contracts with the children’s local school districts to provide specialized services such as ABA or speech and language therapy in homes or schools.
We have recently expanded our extensive list of services to include behavioral and educational consultation services. We offer workshops and seminars for schools and parent groups on an assortment of topics from classroom management to staff training and development. TheraCare also offers school- and home-based consultation services ranging from evaluations/ assessments to play and social skills training.
Each of TheraCare’s branches has a well established, home- and community-based ABA program based on scientific principles and procedures of applied behavior analysis and verbal behavior. Our ABA programs have a behavioral emphasis, provide individualized instruction, and encourage family participation. TheraCare’s supervision model has proven to be a factor in each child’s progress and development. The teachers in each of our ABA programs, who are certified Special Education Teachers, are trained on the principles and procedures of ABA. Each teacher receives ongoing supervision and training by our experienced clinical supervisors. Our teachers work directly with the children; the children’s ABA programs are closely monitored by lead ABA teachers and are also managed by an ABA supervisor. The clinical supervisors devote their full attention to curriculum development, data analysis, and modifications to programs to make certain each child’s potential is maximized. They are an essential resource to parents and professionals. All of the ABA programs are overseen by TheraCare’s own Board Certified Behavior Analyst consultants to ensure quality services are constantly provided.
TheraCare recognizes the need to adapt programming and the environment to capitalize on the individual potential of each child. Our comprehensive program, which is based on empirical research, strives to enhance skills in a vast range of domains such as social skills, communication, daily living skills, behavioral functioning, cognitive functioning, and other skills that are socially meaningful to a child’s everyday life. Data are collected, graphed, and analyzed to consistently evaluate student progress. We strive to create the most effective learning experience for our children and promote positive change across all aspects of their lives. Special educators, teaching assistants, social workers, psychologists, and other related service providers work with the children in the most natural environment including homes, day cares, and regular education settings. These therapists may also provide their services at social and play groups and other community settings. We recognize the need for the child to experience typical life experiences, and sessions incorporate age appropriate activities and, when possible, interaction with siblings or peers. Once a child has acquired proficient skills, they are placed in a typical school setting with a teacher trained in the principles and applications of applied behavior analysis in order facilitate independent functioning in the school environment.
TheraCare encourages and expects parent involvement from planning through implementation of a child’s program. Our teachers alone cannot meet the child’s goals. Every person involved in the child’s life is a “teacher.” Family trainings, support groups, and parent workshops are available to assist family members with their children and to promote family involvement and generalization.
TheraCare is dedicated to providing an individualized educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitative program to children with special needs and their families. We are committed to providing training and supervision to all teachers to ensure quality services are being delivered. Our comprehensive services are based on research, best practice, and current trends. The philosophy of TheraCare reflects professionals working collaboratively with families and communities to maximize each child’s potential.
*This section of the newsletter introduces ABA’s newest organizational member. New members prepare a description of its work and services so that it can introduce itself to the larger ABA community. The inclusion of this material is not an endorsement, authorization, sponsorship or affiliation by ABA of organizational members or their work and services or of the content of the material they present.