We live in a world that operates on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.  We get reinforced with money when we work and we perform better at home and work when our personal needs are met.

At Behavior Consulting Services, we know that by applying these basic principles in a manner that is accessible to our clients whether they are 2 year old children with autism or school systems facing IEP implementation issues, they will gain skills that will help them achieve a higher quality of life.  We serve toddlers through adolescence. 

At Behavior Consulting Services our objective is to allow each child to be able to function as independently as possible, and so we believe that each child is entitled to the most effective and efficient services by caring and qualified staff to achieve this goal. The programs developed by our staff emphasize key areas such as:

• Joint attention
  
• Receptive and Expressive language
• Communication
• Play
• Language
• Social skills
• Fine and Gross motor skills
• Functional living, self help and life skills
• Academic tool instruction (reading, writing and math)
• Reduction of serious behavior and teaching replacement behaviors
• Reduction of self-stimulatory behaviors and teaching replacement behaviors

Each child is individually assessed and provided with an individualized program to meet their specific needs. Our philosophy of Positive Behavior Supports allows us to provide intervention in a manner that motivates children to learn and respects their rights as individuals.

Once an appropriate program or treatment plan is developed, we believe that children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities have an incredible potential to significantly improve their condition. A dedicated team consisting of Line therapists, a Lead therapist and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst is carefully assembled for each individual child. Each child will then receive intensive one on one therapy from their team’s Line Therapists who are supervised by and work along side a Lead Therapist at least once a week. Progress of each skill is charted and analyzed on a regular basis and monitored by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in order to assess skill development and help guide program direction. Lead Therapists share each child’s data with the child’s parent/care-giver on a monthly basis.

Each child’s program encompasses teaching skills using both DTT (Discrete Trial Training) and N.E.T (Natural Environment Training). 

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At Behavior Consulting Services, children and adolescents have the opportunity to receive ABA services within a clinical setting at our 2 South Carolina locations. Here our children gain the opportunity to engage with other children aiding social skill development, while developing skills based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis as outlined in their individualized program in a controlled, relaxed and reinforcing environment. 

Functional assessment is a process used to determine under what conditions a particular behavior will be displayed. It is most useful when just a cursory observation does not reveal a good guess at why a behavior or behaviors are occurring.  The results of the assessment are used to create intervention plans that more effective in reducing unwanted behaviors and increasing desired behaviors.

Staff development can be designed for specific school or agency needs. The goals of the agency or school are identified through observation and interviews with stakeholders.  A plan of staff development is created and training based on that plan is implemented.  Staff performance measures and outcome summaries can be developed as well.

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Home based services are provided under circumstances such as therapeutic need and geography. Home based staff provide intervention under the supervision of senior and lead therapists.

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Dr. Buford is available for presentations and speaking engagements.  Her knowledge of behavior and autism coupled with a humorous presentation style leave audiences feeling that the time they spent with her was informative and entertaining.

School districts and agencies can contact Dr. Buford to inquire how Positive Behavior Supports can be implemented at the individual and systems level. Positive Behavior Support is an applied science that uses educational methods to expand an individual's behavior repertoire and systems change methods to redesign an individual's environment to first enhance the quality of life and, second, to minimize his or her problem behavior (Carr, Horner, et al., 1999; Koegel, Koegel, & Dunlap, 1996).

Positive Behavior Support is an applied science that uses educational methods to expand an individual's behavior repertoire and systems change methods to redesign an individual's environment to,

• first enhance the quality of life and,
  
• second, to minimize his or her problem behavior (Carr, Horner, et al., 1999; Koegel, Koegel, & Dunlap, 1996).

Dr. Buford and lead clinical staff are available for consultation.  We provide consultation in the following areas:

• Positive Behavior Support at the systems and individual level
  
• Functional assessment including functional analysis and behavior intervention
• Targeted staff development
• Model autism program and classroom set-up
• Presentations and speaking
• Litigation assistance for school districts and families