Educational Advocacy

How We Approach Therapy

Natural Environment Training (NET)

An evidence-based, child-centered approach that helps children learn and practice new skills within their everyday routines, interests, and play.

Use familiar toys, games, and materials that naturally motivate each child, rather than relying only on structured instruction
Encourage active participation and skill-building in real-life settings
Help children apply what they learn across home, school, and community environments
Make learning engaging, interactive, and enjoyable, honoring each child’s unique strengths and interests

Functional Communication Training (FCT)

An ABA technique that replaces challenging behaviors, like tantrums or aggression, with socially acceptable communication.

Communication can take the form of spoken words, sign language, or pictures
We start by figuring out why a behavior is happening
From there, we teach a more functional and appropriate way to ask for what’s needed

Verbal Behavior (VB)

In ABA, verbal behavior refers to any communication, including speech, sign language, or gestures, that is reinforced by another person rather than its physical form.

Teach language by tying words to a person’s immediate motivations
Prioritize simple requests, known in ABA as “mands,” early on, so the learner connects communication with getting what they want
Help reduce frustration while building functional, meaningful communication