What’s New with ABA at Easterseals Northern California?
Written by Brianna Fitchett, MA, BCBA, & Vice President of Clinical Services at Easterseals Northern California
Don’t you just love that moment when you’re with your friends experiencing something really fun and memorable, and someone says “Let’s take a group photo!” Click, click, click. A group photo is taken, shared, and tagged in social channels. Or you place it in a frame on your desk at home or work. Each time you look at the photo you reminisce and take pleasure in this memory with your friends.
For our clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we recognize how important it is for them to have a place to be with peers, while learning skills, building friendships, and experiencing happy moments just like this one!
Since October of this year, we’ve been enrolling clients between 4- and 18-years-old in our social skills groups at our clinics around the Bay Area. Clients participate in small groups led by our applied behavior analysis (ABA) Supervisors who teach and reinforce social skills development with a focus on STEAM areas (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).
Our clients learn how to improve their interactions with others by learning conversational skills, recognizing others’ facial expressions, and nonverbal cues — all while being more aware of their emotions. Activities include building blocks, robotics, art, and board games that help them hone their problem-solving skills, inspire creativity, enhance technical skills, and fulfill their passions. You can support our program by giving a gift of education and donating here.
The most rewarding part of these groups is that our clients have the opportunity to practice social skills with peers in a safe environment and spend time with others who share similar interests — one of the first steps in forming friendships.
More Stories
How to Make Your Holiday Celebrations Inclusive for Everyone
Holidays bring opportunities to spend time with loved ones. Follow these tips to learn how you can make your holiday celebrations inclusive for everyone!
Giving Tuesday: Help Families Soar
Learn about qualifying for Social Security benefits, available to adults who cannot work because of Autism Spectrum Disorder and for parents of children with ASD.
Connect with Us