Позитивные изменения. Том 3, № 3 (2023). Positive changes. Volume 3, Issue 3 (2023)

Keeping records, charts, precisely recording goals and outcomes is a crucial aspect of ABA therapy. This is why the Center generates monthly and quarterly reports to monitor progress. “Let’s say a child comes to us for the first time. The first thing we do is we conduct the testing. We talk to the parents, to discover which skills the child has and which ones are missing, what we should be working on. Sometimes the testing process takes three sessions, and in some cases it may span an entire month. During this time, we run tests and we work with the child. We create an individualized program, establish goals, and set the timeline for achieving these goals. The parents review the progress report with a specialist every three months, and together they make informed decisions about the way forward based on the progress achieved so far,” Anna Nikitina explains.

For children with autism, making requests can be a challenging skill. The Center’s specialists make sure they measure the number of requests made before therapy and compare it to the number after three months of intervention. Then they set new goals based on the progress. If the child lacks the ability to make pointing gestures, one of the objectives could be for the child to use pointing gestures (pointing with a finger) to make requests at least 20 times a day after one month.

The organization has devised a Theory of Change. The Center’s overarching goal is to transform the lives of over 5,000 individuals within a 5-year timeframe by enhancing the accessibility of rehabilitation services for children with ASD. This strategic goal requires establishing three additional centers over the next five years. The expansion is expected to yield several significant outcomes:

• a 30 % reduction in the cost of sessions, making them more affordable

• the ability to provide assistance to over 500 children concurrently

• more free lectures and workshops for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals.

Ultimately, these initiatives are projected to bring forth a qualitative improvement in the lives of more than 5,000 people, including children with ASD and their families. More than 2,000 children are expected to continue their education in kindergartens and schools as a result of successful therapy and increased overall awareness. Consequently, there should be a reduction in the number of children who require invasive interventions due to the limited knowledge of specialists in related fields.