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Welcome to Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education in Colorado Springs, Colorado! Our clinic provides a variety of specialized ABA therapy services designed to support individuals with autism. Located in the heart of Colorado Springs, we create a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere where children can grow and develop vital skills.
At our Colorado Springs location, we offer clinic-based services, family services, and social group services, so families have the support they need. We proudly serve not just Colorado Springs but also the surrounding communities. Families in nearby areas like Monument and Woodland Park can also take advantage of our comprehensive ABA therapy services, helping individuals achieve their highest potential in a safe and supportive environment.
Whitney has been the Clinical Manager at our Colorado Springs location since July 2015 and brings a wealth of knowledge in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in both center and home settings. With a strong emphasis on teaching Registered Behavioral Technicians (RBTs) to implement evidence-based interventions with children ages 2-21, Whitney plays a vital role in equipping children and their families with the necessary skills to achieve the greatest level of independence.
Our ABA clinic provides a structured and nurturing environment for children to develop essential developmental and age-appropriate skills. Through a combination of play–based and adult–directed activities, children learn communication, daily living, pre-academic, and social readiness. Our experienced team facilitates these sessions, helping your child build independence and confidence in a setting that mirrors real-world scenarios. Clinic–based service models include regular parent and caregiver training to maximize learning opportunities outside of structured ABA Therapy sessions.
Ready to start ABA therapy in Colorado Springs? Our compassionate team is here to help your child build the skills they need to thrive. Contact us today at 855-444-5664 to learn more about our autism treatment services and schedule a consultation. We look forward to partnering with your family on this important journey!
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding and improving behaviors, particularly in individuals with autism and other developmental conditions. ABA focuses on the principles of behavior, using techniques and strategies to encourage positive behaviors and reduce behaviors that may interfere with learning and social interaction.
ABA is widely recognized as an effective treatment for individuals with autism, especially when started early. It’s often tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, focusing on helping them reach their fullest potential.
For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ABA helps with learning, socializing, and daily functioning. It aims to reduce symptoms by fostering appropriate behaviors and helping children understand their surroundings. Consistently, research shows ABA therapy to be the most effective treatment for children and teens facing ASD symptoms.
ABA is a one-on-one therapy focusing on several related goals. It helps children with autism spectrum disorder to:
To achieve these goals, ABA therapy uses positive reinforcement, teaches behavior-consequence relationships, and encourages positive change.
The ABCs of ABA are key components of our approach:
By helping children grasp these concepts, we empower them to navigate their environments more confidently and successfully.
We start by creating a custom treatment plan for each child, with specific behavioral change goals. Family involvement is very important in developing these goals. Our planning considers your child’s unique needs, skills, interests, and preferences, focusing on:
Goals are broken into small and incremental steps, with regular progress assessments to adapt to every child’s strengths and weaknesses.
ABA sessions fall into two categories:
Discrete Trial Training (DTT): Similar to a school day, where a therapist works one-on-one with a child on specific tasks, providing positive reinforcement for achievements.
Natural Environment Training (NET): More play-based, helping children navigate everyday situations and ensuring skills translate effectively to real-life scenarios.
Throughout the process, we keep families involved and informed, and we celebrate progress and address challenges together. ABA isn’t just about teaching skills, it’s about opening up new possibilities for your child’s development and independence.
Positive reinforcement is an essential component of ABA therapy. In ABA, positive reinforcement takes several forms:
Social reinforcers refer to positive responses from an ABA therapist when a child or teen accomplishes a goal. Social reinforcers could be as simple as a smile, a cheer, or a thumbs up. Social reinforcers provide a clear indication that a child or teen with ASD is doing a good job and that others recognize their behavior as praiseworthy.
Tangible reinforcers refer to physical objects that are given as a reward. Examples of tangible reinforcers include a favorite toy, a new shirt or hat, or a book.
When someone receives a tangible reinforcer after completing a task, they learn to associate task completion with gaining access to those items.
Token reinforcers serve as a type of in-house currency that can be exchanged for desired activities, items, or any rewards reinforcing for the child. Using token reinforcers connects goal completion with future rewards, teaching children and teens how to accomplish tasks for future gains. Tokens are typically customized currencies, though this may vary based on individual programming. They might take the form of themed “bucks” or tickets and are exchanged for rewards like extra playtime, food items, or special privileges.
Using token reinforcers helps motivate children to accomplish tasks or reward them for good behavior. Examples of token reinforcers include:
Tokens can be tied to specific behaviors, activities, task completion, or other measurable achievements.
Edible reinforcers are similar to token reinforcers in that they are earned or rewarded when the desired behavior is accomplished. Examples include candy, crackers, and fruit.
Importantly, these edible reinforcers are extra, fun snacks. An example of an edible reinforcer would be earning three goldfish crackers for each math problem completed or a piece of fruit for not having an outburst during a difficult situation.
Using activity reinforcers is another way ABA therapists associate good behavior and accomplishments with desired outcomes. Games, reading, or puzzles are examples of activity reinforcers, and they are gained by a child accomplishing a task or completing a goal.
Another essential component of ABA therapy services for children is referred to as the “A-B-Cs” of ABA: antecedent, behavior, and consequence. Helping children learn how the environment can affect their behavior, which in turn creates consequences, can help them learn to self-regulate and behave in a healthier fashion.
The term “antecedent” refers to the situation that occurs right before a specific behavior. Antecedents can be different for everyone, but some examples include:
Whatever the initial stimulus is, it often results in a specific pattern of behavior.
In ABA, a therapist works with a child to identify what their specific triggers are. By identifying their specific triggers, they can work to avoid these triggers, teach the child to cope with them when they happen, or practice a different behavioral response that is more adaptive.
Behaviors are the actions that a person takes immediately following an antecedent. These behaviors can often be inappropriate or unwanted and are referred to by BCBAs as “target behaviors” for change.
An example of inappropriate behavior that an ABA center for children works to change would be emotional outbursts. If a parent, therapist, or teacher asks a child to put their toys away, and they react in a strongly inappropriate manner, such as by yelling “no” or flopping on the floor, that unwanted reaction would become a target behavior for change.
Consequence is the last step of the ABCs of ABA. They refer to the outcomes that happen as a result of their behavior. In the example listed above, an emotional outburst could result in caregivers attempting to discipline the child for their behavior. They may take the child’s toys away from them or limit the amount of time they get to play with toys in the future.
Understanding how behaviors have consequences is an essential lesson. Furthermore, BCBAs can teach kids how changing the target behavior can lead to different outcomes, allowing them to associate behavior change with positive outcomes.
The ABCs in applied behavior analysis help clinicians identify target behaviors, triggering situations, and potential consequences. But they also serve as a valuable tool that helps children understand how behavior change can benefit them.
By focusing on antecedents, behaviors, and consequences, ABA therapists can teach kids and teens with ASD social behaviors. If a child responds appropriately to a known antecedent trigger, a therapist will reward them using positive reinforcement.
The ABCs not only provide a structured framework for analyzing behavior but also empower individuals with ASD by offering a clear path toward positive change. This approach fosters understanding, promotes skill-building, and encourages meaningful interactions, creating a foundation for long-term success in managing behaviors and improving quality of life.
At the heart of our Colorado Springs autism therapy center is a focus on cultivating positive change. While this includes targeted behavior change, it extends even further than that. Our program has proven results in helping teens & kids with language development, school readiness, skills for everyday life, and navigating social situations.
Each child gets a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan to help them accomplish these goals. Cultivating positive change means recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Each child with ASD has specific needs, wants, desires, and abilities. By capitalizing on their strengths and working together to overcome their struggles, they can achieve greater and greater heights.
All ABA therapy is conducted under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA). BCBAs have at least a master’s level education as well as specific training in the tools and techniques of applied behavior analysis.
These providers are responsible for each patient’s assessment, development of the treatment plan, implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, and monitoring progress throughout their time receiving ABA services.
The BCBA is supported by behavioral technicians with specialized training in applied behavior analysis. These dedicated and supportive staff members are responsible for most of the one-on-one interactions in therapy. They work diligently to ensure that each child is getting the support and help they need.
We strive to hire only the best and brightest people for these roles — people who exemplify Cultivate Behavioral Health’s core values and treatment philosophy.
By performing ongoing assessments, the BCBA will closely track the progress of each client. As goals are achieved, the BCBA will determine the next steps and direction of treatment and see if the child is ready for transitioning to the next chapter of their life.
At the end of the day, we want to see all our learners thriving in their natural environment with the least amount of support possible. Nothing brings more joy to our staff than recognizing that they are ready for the next stage in their life!
How Effective Are ABA Services?
Both the Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association consider ABA an evidence-based treatment, and it is considered to be the best clinical practice treatment for helping kids & teens with autism spectrum disorder.
Decades of scientific and clinical research have proven that ABA improves behaviors, helps with intellectual and social functioning, and advances language development.
Put simply, ABA services are the gold standard of treatment for children who are experiencing significant challenges due to autism spectrum disorder.
Empathy and compassion are at the heart of philosophy. In order for children to grow, they need to be able to trust their treatment team. To this end, we take great care to individualize each treatment program, ensuring that therapy is personalized to each patient.
We strive to respect the unique needs of different patients and diverse families and will do everything we can to accommodate our services to your preferences.
Our center focuses on early intervention but offers autism services for a variety of young ages. The foremost goal of our entire team is to help your child grow and thrive by providing the support and clinical services they need.
Too often, families looking for ABA therapy services are faced with long waitlists, scheduling conflicts, and other roadblocks to treatment. Our autism center in Colorado Springs works hard to minimize these setbacks. Most families never wait on a waitlist at Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, and we have minimal wait times across the board.
Our autism therapy center is here to provide as much treatment as is clinically necessary to see results. For some patients, this can be up to 40 hours a week. We don’t shy away from helping the kids who need these services the most, and we will be there to support them as much as possible for as long as necessary.
At the same time, we don’t want children who are succeeding to dedicate more time than is necessary to see improvement. The best ABA therapy is always aimed at the cessation of services.
At our ABA center, the family is always encouraged to participate in treatment. Our team can teach you the tools and skills that can have a drastic and lasting impact on your child’s life. We will show you how to incorporate them into the home. Families are always involved in developing the treatment plan, and they play a pivotal role in the success of their child’s treatment.
Paying for treatment is one of the most commonly cited reasons that people don’t enroll their child in autism services. Fortunately, most major insurance companies will cover all or part of your child’s treatment at our Colorado Springs autism center.
We have specialized team members that can help you navigate the insurance maze, check whether your plan provides coverage for ABA services, and help you make the best decision for your family. You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll be there to help you every step of the way.
At Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education, we know that hearing your child has autism can feel overwhelming. It’s natural to worry about their future and independence. We get it – that’s why our approach is built on compassion, teamwork, and a commitment to expert care. We believe supporting a child with autism is a team effort. By partnering closely with your family, we create a care plan as unique as your child. We use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as our guide – an evidence-based approach designed to spark real change and help your child develop important, everyday skills.
Our team is here to empower you, too. We want you actively involved in your child’s growth. By building trust and keeping communication open, we create an environment where kids can truly spread their wings and reach for the stars. At Cultivate, we’re committed to weaving equity, inclusion, and diversity into everything we do. We understand each family has its own story and challenges, so we’re always ready to adapt our services to fit your needs.
Our mission is simple but powerful: collaborating to improve lives with engaging, individualized, and compassionate care. We’re here to equip you with the tools and support to navigate life’s twists and turns confidently. Because with the right support, every child has the potential to bloom in their own unique way.
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