top of page
autism puzzle.png

Applied Behaviour Analysis Services

Dr. Fountain and Associates is proud to announce that we now offer direct services in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) that meet the standards of the Ontario Autism Program (OAP). This program will offer a variety of evidence based services that can help to encourage functional and socially important skills. Our unique country setting is utilized to maximize generalization and make skills transferable to various settings. This program can also help to discourage challenging behaviour that may interfere with learning and wellbeing. Our collaborative approach involves parents/caregivers, teaching them the skills they need so that they can best support their child’s development. Services will be based on an initial assessment and is customized to best suit the individual’s strengths, needs and goals.

 

Therapists will work with the child/youth to increase appropriate positive behaviours such as:

 

  • Daily living activities and tasks

  • Oral expression

  • Motor skills, and;

  • Social skills

​​

And decrease harmful and negative behaviours such as:

​

  • Self-harm

  • Inappropriate verbal expression, and;

  • Angry outbursts

Did You Know?

The Ontario Government started a funding program for families with children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder in June 2017. Since this time families have been starting to receive services through the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

​

If you are new to the service or are looking for more information families can call 1-888-284-8340.

For families who are interested in getting started with the program they will need to get in contact with their Single Point of Access, who for the region of Durham is:

 

Kinark Child and Family Services

500 Hood Road, Suite 200

Markham, ON L3R9Z3

Phone: 1-888-454-6275

Who is Eligible?

Our ABA services will be available to all children and youth, until the age of 18. However, if you are looking to receive funding through the OAP for these services, a prior diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), from a qualified professional, is required. Our services aim to achieve goals of all individuals and their families in the home, at school, and in the community.

Your ABA Therapy at Dr. Angela Fountain & Associates

At Dr. Fountain & Associates we provide a safe and fun atmosphere for children of all ages to explore their feelings and behaviors. We provide an interactive country setting that enables children to explore their concerns in a way that is non-threatening and enjoyable.  At Dr. Angela Fountain & Associates both Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Animal Assisted ABA are offered.

​

Animal Assisted ABA Services

Many studies have been conducted, to date, establishing animal assisted interventions (AAI) as being effective for treating autism (Fung & Leung, 2014; Martin & Farnun, 2002; Nakamura, 2002; Petrongelli, 2010). Canine assisted therapy has been prevalent in the research and has been shown to increase communication and verbal social behaviour in children with autism (Nakamura, 2002; Fung & Leung, 2014). Researcher Petrongelli (2010) found that ABA could be successfully applied within AAI and revealed increases in prosocial interactions when compared to a control group.

​

Equine assisted therapy (EAT) presents a different outlet for positive social engagement because it allows for increases in social motivation and language skills. When working with and around horses, individuals must apply non-verbal and verbal communication skills in order to accomplish most tasks. Empirical findings have revealed improvement in social functioning when an EAT program on the routine activities of children with ASD was implemented (Borgi et al., 2015).

​

​

IMG_20160727_093929.jpg

Getting Started

Contact Single Point

of Access

Meet With Family Service Worker

Intake at Dr. Fountain and Associates

Create

Behaviour & Budget Plans

Start the application progress today at:

​

http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/specialneeds/autism/ontario-autism-program.aspx

References

Borgi, M. Loliva, D., Cerino, S., Chiarotti, F., Venerosi, A., Bramini, M., Nonnis, E., Marcelli, M., Vinti, C., De Santis, C., Bisacco, F., Fagerlie, M., Frascarelli, M., & Cirulli, F. (2015). Effectiveness of a standardized equine-assisted therapy program for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism Developmental Disorder, 46(1), 1-9.

​

Fung S. C., & Leung A. S. (2014). Pilot study investigating the role of therapy dogs in facilitating social interaction among children with autism. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 44(4), 253-262.​

​

Martin, F., & Farnum, J. (2002). Animal-assisted therapy for children with pervasive developmental disorders. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 24(6), 657-670.​

​

Nakamura, K. (2002). Animal-assisted therapy with dogs contributes to improvement of communicative ability among high functioning autistic children. Letter from CAIRC, 6(3). Retrieved January 23, 2018 from www.cairc.org/e/newsletter/2002/0209.html

​

Petrongelli, L. M. (2010). Evaluation of prosocial behaviors during animal-assisted therapy for children with pervasive developmental disorders (Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation). The Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL. 

bottom of page