ABLLS and Over 3 Assessment Tools for ABA Programs

[Guest guest]

I recently attended a meeting at a California Regional Center where

in-home applied behavior analysis services were being discussed. In

California, children with a diagnosis of autism can receive state

funded services in the home up until age 3. Generally, local

service providers are utilizing the ABLLS and other comparable

asssessment tools to develop goals for the program.

I was then told that most local services providers are not utilizing

the ABLLS for children who are over 3 years old. I was, to be quite

honest, quite surprised. I was then told that most state vendorized

programs are not actually using any formal assessment for these

kids' programming (over 3). I was apalled. I know that in

California, the laws are a bit different. The state will find such

services generally until age 3, at which time the child's school

district is supposed to take over. I do understand this, however,

many children whose needs are more intensive continue to receive

state funded services in addition to their district funded school

programs.

In a nutshell, my question is this, for providers of over 3

children, what assessment tool and curriculum guide (if any) are you

using for these children? We are an organization that provides

intensive in home ABA services to children ages 2-7. We utilize DTT,

PRT, AVBV, and other strategies based on the principles of applied

behavior analysis.

Any feedback and comments would be much appreciated!

Debra Rausch-