Functional Behavior Assessment
Serving families in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, our diagnostic assessments are designed to identify factors impacting academic and social success. By identifying individual strengths and challenges, we provide personalized recommendations to support your child’s success.
Children communicate many of their needs and desires through behaviors, which can be both positive and negative. We frequently see children because they are exhibiting behaviors that are not acceptable within the context of school, home and/or the community. These behaviors interfere with learning and can disrupt harmonious communication within the family. Parents and educators can become confused with behaviors because they do not understand the context of the action…why the child is acting out. A functional behavioral assessment (FBA) provides an overview of a child’s behavior and looks at the reasons and motivators for the behavior. It is the first step necessary for developing an intervention plan for Applied Behavior.
Scheduling and Assessment Process
We can usually schedule a functional behavioral assessment within one week of the referral. The assessment requires a minimum of two, one- or two-hour sessions. We prefer to do the assessment at a child’s daycare or school, so we can see the child in his or her natural environment. When this is not feasible, we can do testing at one of our centers.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will first meet with one or both parents to get a better understanding of the child’s developmental history and areas of concern. You may be required to complete standardized rating scales so the therapist can better understand the motivation behind problematic behaviors. School personnel may also need to complete rating scales to get a second point of view. The BCBA will observe your child on two different occasions to collect data on behaviors. The BCBA will analyze all the data and formalize results in a report. The BCBA will also determine a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that will provide strategies that you and the school can use to increase desirable behaviors and decrease those that are problematic.
Results and Recommendation
After the assessment is completed, Miriam’s BCBA will review the evaluation results with you and anyone else you wish to include. The BCBA will teach you how to implement the BIP. This consultation usually lasts about one to 1.5 hours. Teleservices are also available to review reports.
How to Get Started
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Schedule a Free Consultation: Contact us to share details about your child’s needs.
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Plan the Testing: We’ll recommend the appropriate assessments and create a testing plan tailored to your child.
- Review Results: Once testing is complete, we’ll guide you through the findings and recommendations.
Our Testing Services
We provide expert testing for children ages 2 to 18, offering assessments for learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, language disorders, and more. Our comprehensive, team-based approach ensures no detail is overlooked, helping to create personalized pathways for success. Let us help you uncover answers and find the support your child deserves.
Psycho-Educational Testing
Identifies a child's learning strengths and challenges through comprehensive assessments to uncover factors impacting school performance.
Learning Disability Testing
Diagnose specific learning disabilities, such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia, through targeted evaluations to understand academic struggles.
Autism Testing (ADOS)
Evaluates social, communication, and behavioral symptoms to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and create tailored intervention plans.
Psychological Testing
Assesses social and emotional factors, like anxiety or depression, that may impact a child's learning and well-being, leading to actionable treatment plans.
ADHD/ADD Testing
Diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder through clinical interviews, rating scales, and observations to understand focus and behavioral challenges.
Language Testing
Identifies language comprehension, communication, and social language difficulties using standardized tests to assess skills and guide interventions.
Speech Testing
Evaluates articulation, fluency, and clarity of speech to diagnose issues like stuttering or apraxia, helping children improve verbal communication.
Occupational Therapy Testing
Assesses fine and gross motor skills and sensory integration to address delays affecting a child's daily functioning and development.
Physical Therapy Testing
Identifies physical challenges, such as motor delays or coordination difficulties, impacting a child’s ability to participate in daily activities.
Functional Behavior Assessment
Evaluates the reasons behind challenging behaviors, helping create strategies to improve emotional regulation and social skills.
Get a Free Consultation
Discover how we can support your child’s unique learning needs with a personalized consultation.