ASD Philosophy

Trauma-Responsive ABA

ABA Reform

At HeartSOS, we recognize the urgent need for reform in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to better serve individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We do not use compliance-based training methods, tangible or edible reinforcement, or punishment procedures. The Hope Source and HeartSOS actively speaks out against harmful and unethical applications of ABA principals through local and national conferences, social media, and "The Hope Show" Podcast. Our approach integrates evidence-based strategies with a trauma-informed perspective, addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by the autism community.

Why Reform Matters:

90% of Autistic individuals report a lack of relationships impacting their quality of life
Approximately 85% face unemployment
Up to 80% contend with additional medical or mental health conditions
Research indicates significant risk factors for PTSD within the ASD community

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Our Approach:

Dynamic Methodology: Our approach ensures enduring outcomes, avoiding compliance-centered training in favor of fostering trust through co-regulation, guided participation, intrinsic motivation, and cognitive apprenticeship.
Evidence-Based Strategies: We leverage core ABA tenets to enhance socially significant behaviors and mitigate those impeding quality of life.
Neurodevelopmental Focus: Our practice and goals nurture social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of development, targeting specific DSM-5 criteria for ASD, including nonverbal communication and flexible thinking.
Client-Centered Progress: We prioritize self-advocacy and support Autistic individuals in identifying areas most impacting their lives.
Comprehensive Support: Addressing the high comorbidity of PTSD and ASD, we offer inclusive and holistic support systems.

Relationships are hard, especially those impacted by ASD.

Child, Sibling, Classmate, Friend, Coworker, Date, Spouse, Parent

How do I make friends?

How do I improve my marriage?

How do I hang out with my family?

How do collaborate at work?

How do I relate to my grandchild?

How do I find a girlfriend?

How do I engage positively with my child?

As we age through the lifespan, it is relationships that make or break our overall well-being. When we experience failures over and over in early childhood as we try to learn how to play with peers or in adulthood as we try to be a team-player at work, our stress increases and it becomes too overwhelming. The cycle of anxiety and depression can inhibit our ability to function day to day.

Even at an early age, stress impacts our ability to learn and develop the skills necessary to adapt, problem-solve, cope and navigate complex interactions and environments.

Our treatment philosophy at Heart SOS is to build competence in skills to build confidence in self. We guide you and/or the trusted people in your life to experience successes and overcome challenges together so that you can apply them confidently on all areas of your life.

It's a Spectrum.

We help you navigate life's storms.

Trauma-Responsive ABA

ABA Reform

Our Approach:

Relationships are hard, especially those impacted by ASD.

Child, Sibling, Classmate, Friend, Coworker, Date, Spouse, Parent

Need more intensive services for ASD? The Hope Source can help.