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Hippie ABA

Posted on August 18, 2024August 18, 2024 by rachelp

This blog past was written by our founder: Rachel Paugh BCBA, LBA

There is a lot of controversy surrounding ABA. I have been in the field for over 20 years, and I am aware of the history. I think that it is irresponsible as a practitioner not to acknowledge that huge mistakes were made in the past in our field. To deny that they occurred prevents us from having a trusting relationship with our community.

There was a time when ABA used procedures that were unacceptable. There was a time when the focus was wrong; when ABA was too focused on “compliance” (ie: cooperation without protest) and lacked respect for the autonomy of the children we serve.

I am here to say that there are ABA practitioners out there who do not operate in this manner. I am one of them. Some people call it “assent-based” ABA. My favorite term for it is Hippie ABA, because it speaks to my hippie roots of peace, love, and respect.

Hippie ABA is a practice that provides play-based therapy in the natural environment rather than sitting at a desk all day and doing drills. Our focus is to provide an environment in which our children are “happy, relaxed, and engaged”. We strive to build trust with our children, which means being consistent, caring, and fair.

There is a difference between consent and assent. Consent is given by the parent. For example, a parent consents to the treatment of their child when they sign intake paperwork. Assent, however, comes from the child we are treating. Assent is given when the child verbally or nonverbally participates in treatment, showing that they are comfortable with participating by doing things like smiling and engaging with the instructor.

In Hippie ABA, when we see that the child has removed assent, we do not physically force participation. Hippie ABA practitioners identify what motivates the child, and they use that combined with modification of the environment (antecedent intervention) to increase participation based on assent.

In Hippie ABA, we do not physically touch the child unless we are offering assistance with a task such as gripping a pencil or using a spoon. Another example of physical assistance we might offer is wiping a child’s face; but when we do this, we tell the child what we plan to do and do not physically force cooperation. (Example: “Your face is all chocolatey, so I’m going to clean it for you with this wipe. Here it comes!”)

In Hippie ABA, the instructor is still the boss, but they’re in charge because they earned it by harnessing the trust and motivation of the child instead of being in charge because they demand “compliance”.

In Hippie ABA, we forge transparent relationships with caregivers. We provide a no-judgment zone in which parents feel heard and valued as a member of their child’s team. In addition, we work to identify areas in which parents require additional support and resources, and we help them secure the support that they need. We coach parents rather than “training” them. We put ourselves out of a job by teaching them the strategies that work for their child so they don’t need us anymore one day soon.

Parents and caregivers: please know that providers like us exist. When you are seeking ABA therapy, take the time and interview potential providers. Ask them if they use restraint. Ask them what their core values are and what their thoughts are on the controversy surrounding ABA. If they are someone you can trust, they will provide you with a thoughtful answer rather than becoming irritated or angry. They will answer your questions in a way that aligns with your beliefs, and they will double down by delivering the services they promise.

I am wishing all of you the best outcomes and progress for your children, regardless of which treatment you choose. Because in Hippie ABA, our only wish is to see your child succeed.

Am I autistic?: The parent perspective

Posted on July 30, 2024July 30, 2024 by rachelp

This blog was written by Rachel Paugh, BCBA, LBA, and our founder:

Am I autistic? The parent perspective

I have worked with the parents of autistic children intensively for years now and there is one experience had by many of them that I don’t think many people speak about openly. It’s a shame because, if people discussed it more, it might benefit those parents and our community.

When parents go through initial consultation with me, the first thing we discuss about their child is behaviors of concern, social skill deficits, and communication skills challenges. When I discuss these things with parents, one of the things I hear the most from them is that their child reminds them of themselves and that they engaged in similar behaviors and had similar challenges when they were kids. The other thing I often hear is that they didn’t initially think of the challenges their child was experiencing as a reason to seek intervention because they had those same challenges as a child and they survived without intervention.

And, of course, some very brave parents wonder aloud if they are autistic too. If they have the first two revelations and look like they are deep in thought but don’t express this possibility, if I think it is appropriate, I will ask them if they think maybe they are also on the spectrum.

I want to be sure I clarify that this doesn’t happen with every parent, nor does every parent with a child on the spectrum have autism themselves.

BUT…

Parents, these are some of the best and most beneficial discussions you can have. We haven’t proven it yet, but I strongly believe there is an element of genetics to autism. When we parents were kids, things were very different. Autism was rarely diagnosed unless you were profoundly affected. So odds are, if you were able to function without intensive behavior intervention or help with communication skills, you wouldn’t have been diagnosed.

As a parent of an autistic child and a behavior analyst whose area of expertise is autism, I can tell you that if I sought assessment I’d receive the diagnosis. This is something I share freely because one of the things I try my hardest to teach is that a diagnosis of autism is NOT a tragedy, and it is nothing to whisper about or be ashamed of.

One of the first revelations that comes with these realizations is, “Hey–so I wasn’t really a bad kid after all. I had a learning difference this whole time and that’s why I struggled.” This realization brings huge feelings: anger, resentment, and grief. This grief is important to acknowledge and work through the same as was the grief you experienced when your child was diagnosed. Seeking counseling is key for caregivers. Counseling is also not a bad word, and not something to be ashamed of. Make time for it because it makes you a better parent and a happier person.

Feeling these scary and challenging feelings is a given. But if I can teach you one thing today, let it be that there is also joy to be had within the autism experience. Teach your kid to be proud of their neurodivergence. Talk to them about the superpowers it gives them and remind them that they are not “bad”, they just learn differently and that’s kinda cool Embrace your own neurodivergence: read more about it, follow the neurodivergent crowd on social media, make friends who are openly neurodivergent so you can experience being truly yourself with no mask!

If this is something you are experiencing as a parent, please find someone you trust to discuss it with so you can investigate it in a safe space–bonus points if it’s a mental health professional. But, most of all, EMBRACE YOUR DIFFERENCE! After all, your kid is just like you, and you have to admit they are pretty darn lovable.

The story behind our name…

Posted on July 19, 2024July 19, 2024 by rachelp

This blog was written by Rachel Paugh, our founder:

Liam’s Chance is definitely an unusual name for an ABA company. I know a lot of people hear it and probably wonder where it came from and the meaning behind it. Here is the story…

In my 20s, I was basically on track to be a lifelong behavior technician. I worked in that capacity for many moons and never really had much of a plan or desire to move up the ladder. I loved working directly with children with special needs and found it rewarding and meaningful.

When I was 34 I had my son, Liam. I feel like I have created a few cool things in my life, but he is the most amazing thing I ever did. Being in the field for as long as I had been, I suspected that Liam was autistic by the time he was around two. He had speech delay and other classic symptoms, including some behavior issues. Because of my background I knew what signs to look for, and I knew how important early intervention was. I immediately sought a diagnosis and treatment for him.

When you are seeking a diagnosis and resources for treatment as a caregiver for a child with special needs, you feel you have been dropped in the middle of a maze and no matter who you ask, nobody will give you a clue on how to get to the cheese; DSS says call the health department but the Health department says call DSS. It is enough to break the strongest of souls.

By the time Liam was diagnosed with autism, he was four and I was a single mom. Suddenly, my priorities had changed. My values had changed. Liam gave my life purpose and a drive to achieve and provide for him. That is when I decided to take that leap by enrolling in grad school to become a behavior analyst.

Navigating grad school full-time while raising and advocating for a young child with special needs is one of the most challenging things I ever did. Front Royal is an area that was devoid of resources for kids on the spectrum. I was lucky because I had contacts, but I still felt incredibly isolated.. And exhausted, frustrated, sad.. But most of all, I felt lots and lots of guilt.

When I became a behavior analyst, I immediately decided I wanted to open my own ABA company. And I wanted it to be in Front Royal where I could be a resource to people who were facing the same challenges I had experienced as a parent. These days, as a behavior analyst, highly value my relationships with the caregivers of the children that I treat. I strive to have honest and open dialogue, to support parents through what I call “the impossible tasks”, and to fully include and involve them in treatment. I will always do everything I can to help parents identify and locate support and to be a valued and heard member of their child’s team because I remember what it was like.

When I formally opened my practice , I wanted to think of a name that expressed the values and mission I have shared in this post. I tossed around a couple of traditional names, but they just weren’t what I wanted. I wanted to honor my son and how much he had inspired me, and wanted the name to have special meaning.

One day the name Liam‘s Chance just sort of popped into my head. It includes my son’s name, but it also has the name Chance in it. Chance is Liam‘s older half brother who is also autistic and very dear to me. But when you combine the two names, it creates a name that has significant meaning to me. Because the whole story of where this labor of love came from is based on giving Liam a chance; a chance at life, a chance at happiness, a chance at love.

The mission of Liam‘s Chance is to do that same thing for the children and families that we serve. We want the families and children we serve to have a true shot at the quality of life they deserve and desire. In addition to the families we serve, Liam’s Chance is a company that values its relationships with every member of a child’s team from speech, to OT, to teachers who are working together to improve the quality of life of a child in need. We actively collaborate with the other providers of the children we serve in order to utilize a holistic approach to treatment.

At Liam’s Chance, we value transparency, effective communication, quality of treatment over quantity, and encouraging growth and independence by fostering and building on the strengths of every child. All of these things combined create the meaning behind our name and represent the core values that drive us. We hope you will join our mission.

Donate to our project to raise funds for our clinic!

Posted on June 20, 2024June 20, 2024 by rachelp

This August will be our one year anniversary for our clinic, which is located on Main St. in Front Royal, VA. Our company has been around for five years, but our clinic is a new endeavor.

We have been working hard over the past year to create a school readiness/social skills group for children aged 2-5 in Front Royal. Our program follows a kindergarten format including circle time, arts and crafts, games, story time, and snack time. Each child who attends has their own 1:1 highly trained behavior technician to support them and work on their specific goals during group.

Liam’s Chance is a non-profit, and we have struggled to stay open in this difficult economy, let alone purchase much-needed supplies for our staff and children. Specifically, we are in need of ipads for our staff, who use them to collect data and create session notes for their clients. In addition, we are in desperate need of a color printer. Our treatment area is visually rich and we require a printer to create visual and communication supports for our kids.

Please consider donating to our cause. We have received an initial grant from the Rotary Club of Front Royal for this project, but are still in need of funds to be able to make these purchases. You can donate by using our Venmo QR code (provided below), or you can send a check or cash to our founder, Rachel Paugh. Checks should be made out to Liam’s Chance.

Our mailing address is:

116 E. Main St. Front Royal, VA 22630

Click on image below to access our Venmo:

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Liam's Chance Behavioral Services

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