1. Developmental Disabilities: Early Assessment and Intervention
Becca Keller, M.Ed, bcba
Phone:

2. Topics: What are developmental delays? Early warning signs
Why is early intervention important?
How to talk to other parents?
What is the diagnosis process?
What happens next?
Strategies for the classroom

3. Who am I? What do I do? Becca Keller, M.Ed, BCBA
A BCBA is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
A BCBA must have:
Master’s degree in Education, Psychology, or Applied Behaviour Analysis
Approved coursework from a qualifying accredited university
Experience hours under the supervision of a BCBA
Pass the board exam

4. What does a BCBA do? Conduct behavioral assessments (not diagnosis)
Write Behaviour Plan of Intervention
Train parents
Train Behaviour Interventionists
Consistently monitor and update programs as needed
Supervise implementation of ABA programs

5. What are Developmental Disabilities?
Can be cognitivie, phsycial, or social impairment
First presents in infancy or early childhood and laststhroughout lifetime
Autism is a common type of developmental disability
Autism:
Developmental disability
Wide spectrum
Characterized by: difficulties in social interaction, and repetitive (stereotypic) behaviours
Often accompanied by challenging behaviour

6. Early Warning Signs Communication: Social Skills
Uses fewer words than peers
Does not follow directions
Few or no gestures (head nodding/shaking, pointing, etc.)
Social Skills
Avoids eye contact
Does not share objects
Rarely engages in joint attention
Does not respond to name

7. Warning Signs, Cont’d Behaviour Concerns: Self Care Delays:
Difficulty with changes in routine
Repetitive movements (self-stimulatory behaviour/stereotypical behaviour)
Repetitive movements with objects (lining up cars, etc.)
Self Care Delays:
Problems with feeding (picky eater)
Difficulty with toileting
Erratic sleeping patterns

8. Warning Signs Cont’d Motor Problems: Avoid playground equipment
“Clumsy”
Lack of core strength
Difficulty “crossing the midline”
MCHAT-R:

9. Why catch things early? Research: Funding: Wait Times
Research shows that early intervention leads to better clinical outcomes
Funding:
Under the age of 6, children receive $22,000/year
Over the age of 6, children receive $6,000/year
Wait Times
Catch it early, still have to wait

10. Barriers to Assessment:
Denial
Cultural differences
Time/energy/money
Family doctor

11. Talking about Concerns with Parents
1. Discuss child’s strengths
2. Give specific examples of areas of concern
3. Ask if parent has seen the same behaviours at home
4. Talk about early warning signs (if noticed)
5. Provide parents with early warning signs handout

12. Now What? Recognize Early Warning Signs Meet with Family Doctor
Referral to Pediatrician
Private Diagnosis
Public Diagnosis

13. Public vs. Private Diagnosis
Pro: Free
Con: Wait list (6 months or more)
Private
Pro: No Wait List
Con: Cost (approx. $3000)

14. What Does Treatment Look Like?
1. Applied Behaviour Analysis
As of now, ABA is the only scientifically based treatment for autism
2. Speech Language Pathology
Not necessary for every child with autism
Helpful for children that are non-verbal or language delayed
3. Occupational Therapy
Useful for children with gross or fine motor delays
*NOTE: Sensory Integration Therapy is NOT evidence based

15. Tips for In the Preschool
Prevent, Teach, Reinforce
1. Prevent
Prevent challenging behaviours by setting up supports
Have visuals/use visual schedules
Keep learning areas distraction free
Use warnings/timers for transitions
Embed preferred activities into unpreferred lessons
Give choices

16. Tips for Preschools (Cont’d)
2. Teach:
Teach skills that can prevent challenging behaviours
Example: Student cries during long group activities. Teach how to use a break card/ask for a break
3. Reinforce
Catch the child being good
Reinforce the behaviours you want to see

17. Resources: Becca Keller, M.Ed, BCBA: beccaakellerbehaviour.com
Autism Community Training (ACT): actcommunity.net
Autism BC:
Science in Autism Treatment: asatonline.org
Parent’s Handbook on Autism Treatment: