ABA Services at EnCourage Institute
Our ABA services combine the science of Applied Behavior Analysis with a warm, relationship-centered approach. Every goal is built around one question: what will this make possible in your child’s daily life?
For young children, we draw on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBI). This research-based approach teaches through play, shared interests, and everyday routines.
What learners build
- Learning-to-learn skills: paying attention, following directions, sharing attention with others, asking for what they want, making choices, and handing over a preferred item when it’s time.
- Psychological flexibility: using an acceptance and commitment approach, we help learners notice hard thoughts and feelings without being stopped by them, and keep moving toward what matters to them.
- Self-determination: making choices, setting goals, and having a real voice in their own life.
- Self-advocacy: understanding their own needs and being able to express them at home, at school, and in the community.
What sets us apart
- Goals that change daily life. Every goal starts with you. We combine parent interviews with assessments chosen for your child’s specific skill areas, so no two programs look the same. We don’t write goals just to raise an assessment score. Each goal connects to a functional outcome, meaning your child can take part in something they couldn’t before.
- Many skills, one meaningful activity. We don’t drill skills one at a time at a table. We build several skills into a single engaging activity, so your child makes progress across many areas at once. Because skills are practiced with different materials, people, and settings, they carry over into everyday life.
- Building a love of learning. We help learners discover that activities can be enjoyable in themselves, not just a path to a reward. That motivation from within keeps progress going long after a session ends.
- Small steps toward big moments. We break challenging experiences into small, manageable steps and move at the learner’s pace. That’s how we’ve helped learners who once couldn’t tolerate a haircut sit comfortably through one: a real moment in family life that wasn’t possible before.
Early Intervention
The early years are when children learn fastest. Our Early Intervention services use approaches from the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a research-based approach that teaches through play and everyday routines. Young children build communication, social connection, emotional regulation, and readiness for school. We coach parents along the way, so learning keeps happening at home. Learn more about ESDM
School-Age Programs
As school gets more demanding, we help children keep up academically, socially, and emotionally. Areas of focus include:
- Organization and executive functioning
- Managing emotions and handling change
- Communication and making friends
- Independence at home and school
We work closely with families and schools. Services are offered in-home, in-center, and in the community.
Teen & Adult Support
We help teens and adults build the skills for a more independent, self-directed life, including:
- Daily living and self-care
- Relationships
- Job readiness
- Independent and supported living
Services are offered in-home, in-center, and in the community, with family or support people involved as appropriate.
Social Skills Groups
Small groups, matched by age and skill level, where participants build confidence and real connections. Through games, activities, and real-life outings, they practice:
- Starting and keeping up conversations
- Teamwork, turn-taking, and good sportsmanship
- Understanding others’ perspectives and solving problems
- Speaking up for themselves and working through conflict
Groups meet in-center and in the community. Because groups are formed around the ages and needs of our current clients, they are offered as openings arise.
Contact us to join our interest list, and we’ll reach out when a group that fits your child becomes available.
