Programs

 

 

Applied Behavior Analysis Programs


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 we 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 they will improver performance, gain skills and a higher quality of life.

 

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 and a higher quality of life.

 

The programs developed by the staff at Behavior Consulting Services emphasize key areas such as:

 

  • Joint attention
  • Communication
  • Play
  • Language
  • Social skills
  • Functional living 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 a program to meet his or her needs.  We serve toddlers through adolescence. 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.

 

 

Clinic-Based Services


Our clinic is located at 208 Wall Street in Piedmont, SC. The clinic offers applied behavior analysis services for toddlers through adolescents in a friendly and therapeutic environment. The clinic has 5 individual therapy rooms, one group room and a sensory play room for breaks in the schedule. Regular clinic hours are from 9 until 6 Monday through Friday. Summer clinic hours are 9 until 4 Monday through Friday.

 


Home-Based


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.

 

 

Consultation Services


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

 

 

Positive Behavior Supports

 

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).

 

School districts and agencies can contact Dr. Buford to inquire how Positive Behavior Supports can be implemented at the individual and systems level.

 

 

Functional Assessment and Intervention

 

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.

           

 

Targeted staff development

 

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.

 

 

Model Autism Program and Classroom Set Up

 

School districts are finding that educating children with autism and meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind and The Individuals with Disabilities Act is not “special education” as usual.  High quality staff development training coupled with model program development is the way to ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide high quality services.

 

Model programs and classroom set ups are intensive programmatic interventions that are used when starting new programs or revising existing ones.

 

Contact Dr. Buford to find out how this works and if it could benefit your school program.

 

 

Presentations and Speaking


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.

 


Litigation assistance for school districts and families


Litigation is never good.  Unfortunately, due to rapidly increasing numbers of children diagnosed with autism and the lack of legislation guiding districts and agencies in using effective discipline techniques, it is a reality.  Dr. Buford has assisted school districts in designing programs aimed at preventing litigation and assisting districts in implementing remedies to disputes and lost cases. She has also advised families on how best to pursue remedies for violations of IDEA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Her extensive consultation experience and in-depth knowledge of IDEA and autism case law provide entities retaining her services with the assurance that she will advance their case in a direction that is most beneficial to the affected child.