Our ABA approach is tailored to your unique child - it's not one size fits all.

There is no one right way of thinking, learning, or behaving. We believe that children’s differences are not deficits.

The autistic community advocates for a message of acceptance and neurodiversity, the idea that all kinds of brains are natural and valuable, rather than valuing the illusion of conformity.

Our treatment goals do not seek to mask autism; instead, we focus on functional skills such as communication and daily living skills.

Our ABA therapists focus on:

Skill Acquisition

We aim to teach new skills and behaviors to help them succeed in various areas of life. These skills include communication, social interaction, self-help skills, academic skills, and more.

Challenging Behavior Reduction

ABA therapy addresses challenging behaviors by identifying the reasons or functions behind them and developing strategies to help reduce those behaviors.

Data Collection and Analysis

A data-driven approach is a central aspect of ABA therapy, allowing therapists to objectively measure progress, identify patterns, and adjust interventions as needed.

Promoting Independence

ABA therapy emphasizes building independence and self-sufficiency in individuals.

Generalization

ABA therapy focuses on ensuring that learned skills and behaviors are generalized across various environments.

Who can ABA help?

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals, as it is a flexible and adaptable approach. While it is most commonly associated with helping autistic individuals, it can also be effective for children with various other developmental or behavioral challenges.

What is the focus of ABA?

The focus of ABA therapy is on promoting meaningful and lasting changes in behavior that enhance an individual’s overall quality of life. Goals may include improving communication skills, reducing self-injurious or aggressive behavior, or improving independence of daily living skills.

ABA interventions are individualized, tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of each person receiving therapy.

Furthermore, ethical considerations, respect for the individual, and collaboration with caregivers and other professionals are integral to the success and effectiveness of ABA therapy programs.

How often is ABA?

This varies for each child. We will make an individualized plan that fits your child’s needs as well as works with your family’s schedule.

Some schedules include three days a week for two or three hours, once a week for an hour, or five days a week for five hours a day.

Where does ABA occur?

ABA can be provided in school, daycare, home, clinic, or in the community.

Who provides ABA therapy?

ABA is provided in a team approach. The BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) will be the one who performs the initial ABA assessment. From there, a 6-month plan of care will be made. The BCBA will train any RBT’s working with the client on the plan of care. These registered behavior technicians will receive regular supervision from the lead BCBA during treatment. Parent’s will also be asked to participate in parent training led by a BCBA to ensure generalization and carryover of treatment goals. Family support and participation is vital in a child’s success.

How long is the initial appointment?

Typically an ABA assessment is an hour of direct face to face time with the child and the family. In the initial appointment, a standardized test will be completed, the child will be observed in natural settings, and the clinician will interview the caregivers. From there, a report will be written to address skills to be acquired.

ABA Therapy FAQs

From a Parent:

“Wonderful staff who are great at what they do.”

- Elaina T.

Meet Our ABA Team

Colleen, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA

Colleen Lama, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCBA is the owner of Lama Pediatric Therapy. She is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has over ten years of experience in providing pediatric speech and language therapy.

A graduate of Florida State University, Colleen is licensed by the State of Florida and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech–Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). Colleen expanded her education and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2015.

She combines both her speech-language and applied behavioral analysis skills to provide quality therapy services. Colleen has a variety of experience working with the pediatric population in both home and clinic settings. She specializes in early intervention and feeding difficulties. Colleen takes pride in working with children and their families to provide exceptional therapy.

Amy, MA, BCBA

Amy, M.A., BCBA is a Behavior Analyst at Lama Pediatric Therapy. She graduated from the University of West Florida with her Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in August of 2020.

She also has her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida, and spent 8 years as a (SLPA) Speech Language Pathology Assistant.

Amy has experience in the clinical and public school settings working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities, and speech/language disorders.