Our practice offers services with three different levels of professionals. Therapeutic sessions may be conducted by Interventionists, Senior Interventionists or Credentialed Staff (BCBAs, OTs, SLPs). All of our providers have experience teaching children with special needs and are committed to providing the highest quality of service. The composition of each client’s multi-disciplinary team of providers is decided on an individual basis, in collaboration with the family, based on type of service requested and level of expertise that would most benefit the client.
We often recommend a package of intervention sessions conducted in various locations and with a variety of persons in the individual’s life. This practice of providing treatment in a variety of natural settings is encouraged to help children generalize their skills and allow parents and other providers to maintain skills that the child acquires during therapy.
In-home and clinic-based naturalistic ABA intervention
Young clients: Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) Intervention
For our youngest clients, we offer ABA services using the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). ESDM focuses on providing a comprehensive behavioral early intervention approach for children with autism, ages 12 to 48 months. The program looks at the child as a whole and considers development when choosing skills to teach. The intervention is play-based and focused on authentic relationship building in young children.
The model is a well-researched treatment approach for very young children with autism spectrum disorders. In 2012, findings on the brain benefits of Early Start Denver Model made TIME magazine’s Top Ten Medical Breakthroughs of the year (link).
At Thrive, we are unique in having 6 credential staff (BCBAs, OT, SLP) formally certified in the direct delivery of the Early Start Denver Model, as well as two ESDM certified trainers who support organizations and run ESDM trainings internationally. All of our staff are trained in the principles of the Early Start Denver Model and are supervised and mentored with a certified Lead staff. These sessions for our youngest clients are offered in our clinic and in-home for generalization.
The core features of the model include:
- Naturalistic applied behavioral analytic strategies
- Sensitivity to the typical developmental sequence
- High level of parental involvement
- Focus on meaningful social exchange and positive affect
- Shared engagement with joint activities
- Language and communication taught inside a positive, affect-based relationship (Rogers & Dawson, 2010)
School-age clients: Relationship-based, developmentally focused, data-driven intervention
We offer clinic based services for school-age clients. We also offer in-home sessions for generalization and parent coaching.
Clinic-Based Intervention
Clinic-based sessions offer opportunities for individuals to learn within a context that is more similar to a classroom or therapy space. Sessions in the clinic can be conducted with the provider and client, social dyads with peers, or in small social groups . The clinic based environment is individualized based on what each individual needs and focuses on teaching skills within naturally occurring and developmentally appropriate routines and activities. We currently offer clinic-based sessions at our office(s) in Boulder and Denver
In-home direct intervention
Home-based sessions offer opportunities for individuals to learn within the context of the environment that is central to their lives. The sessions are often focused on individualized goals that improve daily functioning, play routines or leisure skills within their home. Our aim is to support parents and to strengthen skills that can increase the abilities of the child and family to interact and learn successfully in their home. Home-based interventions are encouraged to include siblings, parents, caregivers, or other family members. At Thrive, we believe that parents and families are the most influential teachers for every child.. Parent coaching is a critical component of every child’s program at Thrive.
In-home and clinic-based ESDM Advanced Workshops
We currently offer Advanced ESDM workshops at our RiNo clinic in Denver, Colorado. We can also travel to you and offer individualized Advanced workshops on location for centers and agencies internationally and across the US. In this hands-on workshop professionals who have completed the Introductory Workshop will learn how to carry out ongoing therapy using the ESDM. Teams of 3-5 professionals will be grouped together to receive direct practice with children with ASD and supervision with implementing an ESDM intervention program. Following the Advanced Workshop, our Thrive ESDM trainers can also provide supervision to those professionals who wish to pursue certification as an certified ESDM therapist.
If you are interested in learning more or attending an ESDM Advanced workshop in at Thrive Autism Collaborative, please contact us at Theresa@thriveautismcollaborative.com
School Services
Direct school-based intervention
School-based direct intervention sessions offer families or schools the opportunity to have Thrive providers work directly with students in the school environment to maximize their success and learning. With school and family approval, providers from Thrive can conduct school observations, formulate treatment protocols, and work side-by-side with an individual’s school staff to maximize student success while respecting the culture and expertise of the school professionals. A focus of direct intervention in school is to create and model meaningful and effective teaching procedures, generalize skills in various environments or subjects, and encourage the highest level of independence possible for a given student.
School trainings and collaboration
School consultation and training offers opportunities for schools, community organizations, or families to access the expertise at Thrive. We provide individualized consultation or trainings on various topics for schools. We value collaboration and supporting schools in ways that are meaningful for them. Our priority in teacher training and program development is on personalized and practical change in teacher and student learning. We strive to create a professional, collaborative relationship where we can learn from each other and develop plans that will have an immediate, positive effect for the individual, community agency, or school.
Play-Based Intervention for at-risk Infants
We offer naturalistic play-based intervention for infants are at-risk or for whom parents have developmental concerns. At-risk infant services are provided from birth to 24 months and focus on providing direct support to parents to gain additional strategies for teaching and interacting with their child. Our goal for intervention, is to provide support to daily routines such as play, mealtime, diaper changes, outdoor activities, and social games to enhance the interactions and learning that can happen throughout the day with parents.
BCBA/BCaBA Supervision
Thrive Autism Collaborative Behavior Analysts offer supervision for those pursuing BCBA or BCaBA Certification. Supervision experiences are offered both locally and remotely and may include both one on one and group supervision opportunities. With many years of experience in the field, we understand that rich, in-depth experience and practice are key components of learning to apply the principles of ABA effectively in intervention. For those who have interest in working with people with developmental disabilities and/or Autism, Thrive Behavior Analysts have in depth knowledge, skills, and experience in providing thoughtful intervention, collaborating with families and teachers, and working in a variety of therapeutic settings. We value high quality supervision that creates a valuable learning opportunity for our supervisees. We also understand that having a variety of supervision experiences is valuable and that supervision candidates need to find the right fit for their learning needs and goals. Please contact us if you are interested in seeking supervision.