ABA/NDBI Therapy
Elevated Kids specializes in a naturalistic, play-based approach to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy for toddlers and young children (ages 0-8) diagnosed with Autism or other developmental delays. This evidence-based approach to ABA is called Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) and is considered best practice for young children diagnosed with Autism, combining the principles of ABA and developmental science to support a range of areas in child development with the hallmark of the intervention focused on parent coaching.
What is NDBI?
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) lies at the intersection of both developmental and behavioral sciences and is known as today’s most effective, evidence-based approach to care for toddlers and young children diagnosed with Autism. NDBI is implemented through the lens of developmentally appropriate practice, meaning that skills are taught to a child’s developmental level, focusing on teaching skills that have a general cascading effect (from foundational skills to more complex skills), as well as embedding learning opportunities throughout a child’s naturally occurring daily routines. Additionally, Elevated Kids’ NDBI approach to ABA supports alignment with a neurodiversity-affirming approach by centering care around the child, capturing the child’s strengths and motivation, and following the child’s lead in play to guide activities and create learning opportunities that are related and meaningful to the child. This promotes freedom of choice, autonomy, self-confidence, and lots of connection, language, and learning while having fun.
How is Elevated Kids’ NDBI approach different from traditional approaches to ABA Therapy?
Although Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is most often used synonymously with ABA, it is just one of the many teaching approaches to ABA. And, when working with young children it is so important to have a sound understanding of child development and what is developmentally appropriate to teach and when and how to teach it. NDBI is an evidence-based approach to ABA that lies at the intersection of both developmental and behavioral sciences and is considered best practice for young children diagnosed with Autism. NDBI differs from traditional approaches to ABA Therapy (i.e., DTT, NET, VB) as NDBI targets learning opportunities that are naturally embedded throughout the child and family’s existing daily routines and geared toward the child’s developmental level to build foundations in the core areas needed to reach developmental milestones. By embedding strategies within ecologically valid contexts, routines, and materials this increases the likelihood that intervention will be socially valid, aligning needs that are specific to the child. The key difference between an NDBI approach to ABA Therapy and all other approaches is that NDBI is the only approach that incorporates BOTH developmental science and behavioral science to facilitate positive outcomes, centering all goals around the child and family for meaningful success.
Our Elevated Kids NDBI and Neurodiversity-affirming Approach to Autism Care includes:
Focus on Connection
We meet children right where they are in their development and focus on connection, social engagement, and building meaningful interactions within the learning context. We believe in celebrating the joy of childhood and having a lot of fun. Play is our ultimate teaching tool!
Natural Settings & Natural Reinforcers
We provide many opportunities for skill-building in the context of interactive, natural settings across a range of daily routines, social interactions, and play activities using natural reinforcers in the environment that are directly related and meaningful.
Family-focused
We meet parents right where they are in their journey and provide coaching and support on techniques to promote connection, engagement, and learning opportunities throughout daily family routines.
Child-centered
We follow the child’s lead in play and use the child’s curiosity, interests, and strengths to guide activities and capture learning opportunities to build connection and engagement for meaningful learning interchanges. Child-led play is the foundation!
We emphasize a child-centered and proactive approach to behavior support, such as antecedent environmental arrangement and teaching mutual regulation and coping skills to preemptively support the child through events that may be challenging for them, as well as supporting the child’s emotional regulation and social-emotional development.
Our Approach (NDBI) vs.
Traditional Approach (DTT)
Dimension
- Evidence-Based
- Teaching Episodes
- Learning Environment
- Materials
- Reinforcers
- Skill Acquisition Targets
- Behavior Support
Traditional Approach to ABA (DTT)
- Empirically-validated in research. Uses principles of ABA to teach new skills
- Practitioner-initiated, didactic
- Structured (e.g., sessions conducted at a table)
Skills need to be generalized to natural setting - Selected by teacher and remain the same within activity
- Previously established and unrelated to the target response. Presented for correct responses or successful approximations
- Complex skills broken down into small, discrete parts. Skills are taught in isolation through repetition of teaching trials. Used across all ages regardless of developmental stage.
- Focus on Antecedent and Consequence-based Strategies
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI)
- Empirically-validated in research. Uses principles of ABA to teach new skills
- Child-initiated, play-based
- Natural environment (e.g., sessions conducted during play activity)
Can gradually add more structure as child is developmentally-ready - Selected by child and frequently change within activity
- Natural and directly related to the target response. Presented for all attempts at engaging in target skills
- Teaches whole concepts. Developmental sequences are used to guide goals and developmentally-appropriate strategies are used to teach skills. Multiple skills are taught at once. Skills follow cascading effect
- Focus on Antedecent/Preemptive/Preventative Strategies as well as Coping Skills and Co-/Self Regulation Strategies
Dimension |
Traditional Approach to ABA (DTT) |
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based | Empirically-validated in research. Uses principles of ABA to teach new skills | Empirically-validated in research. Uses principles of ABA to teach new skills |
| Teaching Episodes | Practitioner-initiated, didactic | Child-initiated, play-based |
| Learning Environment | Structured (e.g., sessions conducted at a table) Skills need to be generalized to natural setting |
Natural environment (e.g., sessions conducted during play activity) Can gradually add more structure as child is developmentally-ready |
| Materials | Selected by teacher and remain the same within activity | Selected by child and frequently change within activity |
| Reinforcers | Previously established and unrelated to the target response. Presented for correct responses or successful approximations | Natural and directly related to the target response. Presented for all attempts at engaging in target skills |
| Skill Acquisition Targets | Complex skills broken down into small, discrete parts. Skills are taught in isolation through repetition of teaching trials. Used across all ages regardless of developmental stage. | Teaches whole concepts. Developmental sequences are used to guide goals and developmentally-appropriate strategies are used to teach skills. Multiple skills are taught at once. Skills follow cascading effect |
| Behavior Support | Focus on Antecedent and Consequence-based Strategies | Focus on Antedecent/Preemptive/Preventative Strategies as well as Coping Skills and Co-/Self Regulation Strategies |
“Services were amazing. The connection that was made was incredible. Completely in tune to my son and his specific needs. I can't say enough good.”
Contact Elevated Kids Today
We know that this process can be overwhelming for families. We are here for you every step of the way. Contact us today to get started!