Boy making art in classroom

Applied Behavior Analysis at IMPACT

Supporting families through the development and reinforcement of positive behaviors.

IMPACT’s behavior support team is comprised of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) who provide individualized, evidence-based services using the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). IMPACT provides both comprehensive and focused ABA services for children and adolescents from the time of diagnosis through age 21. Services may also include school-based ABA and pediatric feeding services when clinically appropriate.

Our ABA services support learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as well as co-occurring conditions such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), anxiety, developmental delays, and genetic disorders. Treatment focuses on strengthening functional and adaptive skills, increasing positive and socially meaningful behaviors, and decreasing behaviors that interfere with learning, independence, and participation across environments.

Each learner’s programming is individualized based on direct and indirect assessment, clinical needs, and treatment goals. Services are primarily provided in the clinic, with services in the home, school, community, or other appropriate settings available when clinically indicated. ABA services are primarily delivered through in-person, face-to-face direct intervention by RBTs with clinical oversight and direction from BCBAs. Caregiver training may also be provided through telehealth when clinically appropriate and permitted by the learner’s insurance plan.

ABA services may include direct intervention, caregiver training, teacher education, treatment modification, and collaboration with other providers to promote skill acquisition, behavior change, and generalization across people, settings, and environments.

If your child has been referred for ABA, IMPACT Therapy will require a Comprehensive Developmental Evaluation (CDE) documenting a formal diagnosis before services can begin. For most insurances, the CDE must be completed by a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or developmental pediatrician.

As of November 1, 2024, the Applied Behavior Analysis department at IMPACT Therapy is a fully accredited organization through Jade Health.

Baby on a rolled play mat

What should you expect during the evaluation process?

  • All intake documents should be completed in full in Central Reach, IMPACT ABA’s electronic medical record system.
  • The client portal created in Central Reach during registration will walk you through documents needed prior to initial assessment.
  • The BCBA will request an initial assessment through your insurance. Once approved, the assessment will be scheduled.
  • A two-part initial assessment will be scheduled. The first part will be a meeting with the BCBA and the caregiver. For the second part, the BCBA will directly assess the child’s skill level to identify goals and potential programming.
  • Once the assessment is complete, the report will be compiled and sent to caregivers for approval and signature.
  • Once IMPACT Therapy receives the signed report, it will be sent to insurance to obtain authorization for recommended therapy hours.
  • Following authorization approval, the patient will be placed in a permanent weekly therapy time slot or on the waitlist.

All policies and procedures for the ABA Department can be found in the ABA Patient Handbook below.

I am proud to be a part of a team that puts others in front of themselves.
Lawrence Mvrica
IMPACT Foundation Board Member
I can’t say enough great things about The Summer Escape program! Trusting people when you have a child with special needs is often a scary thing. You want to make sure the people surrounding your little one are kind, caring, and able keep them safe. We are so lucky to have found this program and love all of the people who help run things.
Caitlin Huard
The most comforting aspect as a parent, is knowing that my son is in an environment where he can learn and is understood. I am very thankful for the school's mission to educate kids with learning differences and the teachers and administrators that make this happen every day.
Shacarra Sigler
We struggled with the school placement decision, because we wanted to find the right school that would be a good fit for our son. I am so glad that we chose IMPACT; they are so helpful, caring, and understand my son’s specific needs. They have accommodated his needs on so many levels, which I believe would have been unmet at other schools.
Shacarra Sigler
Our son has a rare genetic syndrome, delayed development and learning disabilities. We have been bringing him to IMPACT Tallahassee since he was 1-year-old and he will soon be 10. The staff in the office, the teachers, the aides are all amazing with the children; I'm very impressed with their professionalism and compassion. I personally recommend IMPACT to people on a regular basis.
Teresa Corbet
IMPACT Tallahassee and their staff have become such an important part of our lives over the last 9 years. We couldn't imagine not being there on a weekly basis.
Teresa Corbet