IN ABA THERAPY
SKILLS ASSESSMENTS
Our clinicians use comprehensive assessments to understand your child’s abilities and challenges, helping us set goals and design an individualized treatment plan that’s just right for them.
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What are Skills Assessments in ABA Therapy?
Our clinicians are trained in skills assessments that allow for a road map toward autonomy. At Adaptive Steps, we use comprehensive skills assessments to get a clear picture of your child's current abilities and identify areas where they can grow. These assessments help us create an individualized treatment plan that's just right for them.
Understanding of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS-R)
A comprehensive tool to evaluate skills, set goals, and track progress across 25 different areas in ABA Therapy, including:
Basic Language & Behavior
Early learning foundations such as cooperation, imitation, labeling, and following structured routines.
Receptive & Expressive Communication
Understanding what is said and using words or gestures to express needs, wants, and ideas.
Academic Skills
Core school-ready abilities including reading, writing, and math.
Self-Help Skills
Everyday independence skills like dressing, eating, and personal hygiene.
Motor Skills
Gross and fine motor abilities that support movement, coordination, and play.
Social Interactions
Building relationships through sharing, turn-taking, and positive peer engagement.
What is Assessment of Functional Living Skills?
The AFLS focuses on practical, everyday skills that are essential for independence and success in various environments. Unlike assessments that focus primarily on language, the AFLS looks at how well your child can perform tasks needed for daily living.
What does AFLS measure in ABA Therapy?
The AFLS is divided into different modules that assess a variety of functional skills.
Examples of AFLS in ABA Therapy
The AFLS is divided into different modules that assess a variety of functional skills. The AFLS helps us identify the specific functional skills your child needs to develop to become more independent at home, in school, and in the community. This assessment guides the development of interventions focused on increasing your child’s ability to care for themselves and participate more fully in daily life.
- Basic Living Skills: Dressing, hygiene, toileting, bathing.
- Home Skills: Meal preparation, cleaning, laundry.
- Community Participation: Shopping, using public transportation, and following community rules.
- School Skills: Following classroom routines and completing assignments.
- Vocational Skills: Skills related to work and employment.
Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program
The VB-MAPP is a comprehensive assessment tool based on B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior. It focuses on evaluating your child's language, learning, and social skills from a behavioral perspective.
What is VB-MAPP in ABA Therapy?
The VB-MAPP provides a clear understanding of your child's verbal behavior repertoire (how they use language to communicate).
Examples of VB-MAPP in ABA Therapy
The VB-MAPP has five main components. It helps us identify any language delays or barriers and develop targeted interventions to improve their communication skills and overall learning.
- Milestones Assessment: Evaluates 170 measurable language and learning milestones across different developmental levels.
- Barriers Assessment: Identifies common learning and language barriers that may be hindering your child's progress.
- Transition Assessment: Assesses your child's readiness for different educational or learning environments.
- Task Analysis and Skills Tracking: Provides a framework for breaking down complex skills into smaller steps and tracking progress.
- Placement and IEP Goals: Offers guidance for developing appropriate educational and treatment goals.
What is Early Start Denver Model Assessment?
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is an early intervention approach for young children with autism, typically between the ages of 12 and 48 months. While it's a comprehensive intervention model, it also includes a detailed assessment component.
How does ESDM help in ABA Therapy?
The ESDM assessment highlights your child’s strengths and needs in a playful, relationship-focused setting—helping us design personalized interventions that foster natural early learning.
Cognitive Skills
Problem-solving, and exploration.
Communication
Verbal and nonverbal communication, and understanding language.
Social Skills
Engagement with others, imitation, and sharing.
Motor Skills
Gross and fine motor abilities.
Adaptive Behavior
Self-care skills.
Affect
Emotional expression and regulation.
What is Socially Savvy in ABA Therapy?
"Socially Savvy" assesses and conceptualizes social-skills deficits and helps to design effective interventions with a more general focus on improving social skills. It focuses on breaking down broad areas of social functioning into concrete skills.
How does Socially Savvy help in ABA Therapy?
By understanding your child’s social strengths and needs, we can create targeted supports that build relationships, boost confidence, and improve social success.
Joint Attention
Sharing interests with others.
Social Play
Playing interactively with peers.
Self-Regulation
Managing reactions and flexibility.
Emotional Awareness
Recognizing and responding to feelings
Self Communication
Using language in interactions.
Group Behavior
Following rules in group settings.
New to ABA Therapy?
If your child was recently diagnosed with autism, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed. Adaptive Steps is here to guide you. We’ve created an easy-to-follow resource pack to help you take the next steps with clarity and confidence.
Ready to begin the Intake Process?
Starting your intake now helps us understand your child’s needs faster, so we can match your family with the right care plan right away. Take the first step today.