Welcome Dr. Lou Sandler, PhD, BCBA-D
This is Lou Sandler, PhD, BCBA-D
and I am happy to identify my collaboration with newly formed Aurora Behavioral Services in the Greater Savannah (GA) and Atlanta Metro Areas as the agency's Senior Clinical Advisor
Rather than the old, intrusive DTT model, ABS services blend best practices in Applied Behavior Analysis and education. ABS owner, Amber Furby, BCBA and I have both been licensed classroom teachers and bring those added skills and priorities to our work
ABS provides compassionate and minimally intrusive behavioral services driven by evidence-based, child-centered best practices. We prioritize behavioral and learning readiness skills with an emphasis on increasing child autonomy, functional communication, social interaction and engagement
The approach used by ABS is activity-based natural environment instruction (NET) individualized for each child. Children learn best when movement is an active part of their day. We don't fit children into ongoing programs but design custom, individual programs for each child
A key to NET is support for the child's social system. This means we also prioritize scheduled participation by and support for parents/caregivers.
We especially welcome children with persistent behavioral and social need to include those with ‘profound autism.’ We know from experience that all children can learn. Both Ms. Furby and Dr. Sandler have extensive experience supporting children with profound behavior and learning needs.
Children who start services with ABS will never have those services reduced or terminated due to disruptive, challenging or difficult behavior.
Behavior is purposeful, context-based, and communicative. We respect each child towards understanding and identifying what will increase their probability for success, comfort, and positive engagement while being exposed to new experiences with opportunities to learn and make progress
Behavior Analysis is a well-researched and evidence-based treatment model which can be used with compassion and to great effect for children with autism and other developmental behavioral needs
We believe part of the ‘job description’ of a child is being successful in school; to learn from, engage, and socialize with peers and adults outside the family circle
Our RBTs/BTs will never take a child and isolate themselves in a room for extended 1:1 sessions. Part of increasing child autonomy and the ability to learn and generalize new skills means adapting those skills around the house and community
We will provide services in the child’s school and community to include shopping, medical appts, family gatherings and other areas of relevance to families/caregivers.
Behavior which interferes with Success! reduces when important and appropriate alternative skills are taught based on changes in the environment and interaction prioritizing a compassionate, child-centered process
With this, our goal is to slowly work ourselves out of a job one child and one family at a time... We’re grateful and excited for the opportunity to serve individuals in Coastal Georgia and the Atlanta area!