Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay (BCOTB) opened its doors in 2003 when President and Founder Kelley Prince, M.A., BCBA was finishing her degree at the University of South Florida. It was the only Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic of its kind in the Tampa Bay area at the time. Just over 15 years later and BCOTB has expanded to 4 different locations (Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Brandon, and Carrollwood), providing applied behavior analysis services across Tampa Bay.
We utilize the science of behavior to assess and treat problem behaviors and skill deficits in children from 18 months to around 10 years of age. We work with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, Sensory Integration Disorders, Developmental Delay, Attention-Deficit Disorder, and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Our services are individualized to fit the child as each person learns and comprehends in different ways and has different strengths and deficits. Behavior, even problematic behavior, often communicates some need or desire. It is our job to figure out what that need/desire is and teach the child a better way to ask. Problem behaviors and communication deficits tend to go hand-in-hand, which is why we emphasize appropriate, functional communication and push to increase each child’s ability to effectively communicate within their environment.
Upon starting services at BCOTB, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will evaluate your child’s skill level across a variety of domains to gauge areas that may need additional support. The BCBA will collect information from caregivers as well to ascertain what their concerns are and better understand what the family needs support with. The BCBA then develops a treatment plan based on their assessments and input from the family to pinpoint specific targets to work on, skills to develop, and problem behaviors to reduce. These treatment plans are constantly being evaluated by the BCBA’s analyzing the data, ensuring that progress is being made at a desirable rate, and new programs are being added where needed.
Working with a variety of ages and diagnoses means we are experienced in supporting children with myriad of deficits. Outside of challenging behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, tantrums, problems with transitioning, or rigidity in routines, we also help with communication, responding to instructions, daily living skills (e.g. brushing your teeth, feeding yourself, getting dressed, hand washing, etc.), school-readiness skills, social and play skills, and many more. We have special programs to work on toilet training and feeding concerns. We also support your child in the school or community and consult with other providers to ensure all the child’s therapies are in sync. Parent support is also a very important component of the services we provide. We want to make sure we communicate what does and doesn’t work for the child and give the caregivers the tools to continue to make progress. This dissemination is an integral part of our services and the future success of the child.
If you’d like to know more about BCOTB and how we can help your child and family, please contact us here or give us a call at (813) 814-2000.
written by: Dru Millerwise, M.A., BCBA
