Founded in 1999, the Behavioral Intervention Group (BIG) was created to answer a need for children on the Autistic spectrum. Rather than offering a homogenized and rigid approach to working with children on the spectrum, BIG offers highly specialized programs that are adapted for children across all levels of the spectrum. Our point of differentiation from other providers in our field is our willingness to use any technique necessary to help the child achieve their goal and to ensure they are motivated to learn. We have vast experience with children throughout the spectrum, working with those who are significantly affected to those who are much less affected but require social skills training and a much higher cognitive approach. We go beyond simply applying these techniques, but we adapt them within the ABA framework so that they address each child’s specific needs.

To ensure that each child receives the attention and professional experience they deserve, BIG provides Programme Leaders, Supervisors and Case Managers to each child’s case. These highly trained professionals provide input that results in a highly adaptable and personalized program. BIG works closely with each child’s family to provide them with the skills to help their child grow and progress to the best of their ability. BIG also works closely with schools providing a seamless transition between home program to school attendance in addition to regular consultation with teachers, teaching assistants, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and child psychologists to ensure that each child receives the appropriate support in all areas of development.

Verbal Behavior (VB), Applied Verbal Behavior (AVB), Natural Environment Training (NET), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Lovaas and Precision Teaching are all different applications of the same science

Evaluation
Once you have decided to proceed with BIG's services, we will spend time with your child in order to build a rapport and obtain a baseline of skills and behavior. This will occur over several short sessions where various activities, games and interaction will take place and from which a program which will address your child's specific needs will be created.

Programme Initiation
Once the program has been established by BIG and a rapport has been established with the child, an initial workshop is conducted. The initial workshop will range between one and three days. The parents, team and child attend the workshop. The team is trained in theory, technique and data collection. Workshops are very interactive and each team member is given specific goals to be targeted. Following the initial workshop, inexperienced team members pair with BIG staff in order to fully develop their therapy technique. This also allows the child to gradually be introduced to therapy at a reduced number of hours. Once the team have built a rapport with the child, their therapy skills are at an appropriate level and the child has settled into therapy, the full schedule commences with tutors conducting sessions independently.

Program Progression
Weekly team meetings conducted by your Programme Supervisor begin. The child, parent and team attend each team meeting where behavior plans and programs are reviewed and adapted and therapy implementation is critiqued. Each therapy session typically lasts for two to three hours. A weekly therapy schedule looks similar to this: Schedule.pdf

BIG comprises of a group of talented Program Managers, Program Supervisors and Program Leaders who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization. With them comes post-graduate degrees and first hand experience working with replication sites around the world. BIG appreciates that service level is directly related to the experience and training of the individuals working with each child. Because of this, BIG has devoted one day of every week to staff development under the Clinic Director. Not only is each child’s program reviewed at these meetings but a series of training sessions and assessment occur addressing all areas of development and curriculum. All staff have been appropriately police checked and hold a current first aid certificate.