Our Position Statement
With a few decades of experience to learn from, Applied Behavior Analysis has it’s fair share of critics and many opportunities for improvement. Many of these opportunities focus on ABA professionals who rarely account for the desires or individuality of their clients.
Learning Keystone’s clinical philosophy is one that acknowledges the validity of the criticism as we seek to evolve Applied Behavior Analysis through a mindset that sees people rather than a diagnosis or behavior. We categorically reject demand and control styles of ABA because it damages the individual, is unethical, and will not be part of our practice. We reject any ABA practice in which the goal is assimilation rather adaptation, control rather than choice, or compliance rather than cooperation.
ABA is a systematic approach to understanding the interplay between environment and behavior. Just as with any scientific advancement, misapplication of new knowledge can be outright dangerous if not carefully applied. When we use the amazing science of ABA to change the behavior of others to meet our own needs and desires, we are acting unethically by engaging in a form of exploitation.
Learning Keystones is a division of Keystone Achievements. We are dedicated to practicing Trauma Informed Behavior Analysis (TIBA). TIBA utilizes ABA principles but with an emphasis on safety, choice, trust, cooperation, and empowerment. When using TIBA, each goal, program, or target is designed to teach communication, self-advocacy, autonomy, agency, and independence.
Our mission is not to teach children how to be in the world, but to teach them how to be the person they want to be in the world. This approach creates an environment where individuals can gain access to meaningful and valuable life experiences while acknowledging and creating space for every part of their humanity.
As a team our passion for the community we support cannot be contained only to the students with whom we have the privilege of working.
Join us as we embark on a journey to transform ABA applications, change the way we think about our practices, and encourage the acceptance of every individual in our community!
Reinforcement
With a firm understanding of some of the factors at work in reinforcement we can find what works best for our situation and make sure that the reinforcement applied is effective, ethical, and enthusiastic for better outcomes in our day to day!
Compliance Vs Cooperation
Many standard approaches to implementing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are well-known for a focus on compliance. To the extent that the misnomer of “Forced Compliance” has become commonplace vernacular for a field that is intended to be therapeutic in nature.
Self-Advocacy And Agency
As professionals in a field whose purpose is to provide our students access to the life they want to live, one of the primary focuses of Keystone Achievements ABA therapy program is self-advocacy and agency.
Learning Keystones will pursue creation of resources and supports to perpetually improve the efficacy and availability of behavior science and its application in our world. Instruction and training will be provided with a focus on the crucial elements of our philosophy, namely trauma informed care and student centric modalities. Learning Keystones is committed to furthering the application of behavior science and analysis in all settings to include training for teachers, parents, those attempting to enter the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, and all other related professionals. The sum of all these parts will be instructions with carefully considered concepts and applications tailored to the recipient and their respective setting.
Learning Keystones Mission Statement
