Best Practices currently works in many different private schools in Bergen County, NJ. 

Best Practices provides behavior analytical services to the students in the private schools. Our behaviorists are responsible for devising, implementing, and supporting individualized behavior plans. Some of the other services have included, staff training on Professional Development days, implementation for class-wide reinforcement systems to benefit the target student and the entire class, and social skills training for students. Bergen County requires BCBAs, and BCaBAs only to provide the behavior consult services. 
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The hours are flexible. The behaviorists create their own work schedule.

For additional information please contact: stasia.bpbanj.com  

B​est Practices in Behavior Analysis, LLC combined forces (literally) with  Lisa Searls, a Certified Behavior Analyst and director of Motivating Change, LLC to implement a social skills camp in Parsippany for children with high functioning special needs.

We set out to target kids who may find a typical camp too overwhelming but would benefit from the experience of interacting with typical peers. What this program actually resulted in was far more than that! By the second day of camp, Lisa and I looked at each other and said “All of these kids are benefiting.” In fact that became our common hashtag. #allkidsbenefit.

A typical day at camp

Everyday we had a plan, a schedule. That typically started the moment the campers arrived. They participated in a “Get to know my friends” activity. That would range from a physical outdoor exercise to a paper and pencil activity such as, interviewing a friend. Then the campers were assigned into teams. Each day the teams would change. The teams were given a Game Board (actually that was a behavior intervention, but they didn’t know that). Throughout the day, the campers would move up on their game board for following the directions, participating in the group, helping a friend, trying something new, and many other positive social behaviors.

Lesson of the day 

We had a lesson of the day that focused on a specific social skills such as; complimenting others, coping with different emotions, and maintaining a conversation. Throughout the day, there were many team building activities. The campers played group games and board games. We  also practiced prerequisite academic skills in fluency instruction. The campers practiced math, spelling, and reading fluency in 30 second timings. They recorded their own data on these skills. The campers also recorded data on the new food tasting we had daily. We accomplished so much in a week. We were thrilled when most campers returned for the last week of the program. 

What did the kids learn?
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Lisa and I were so impressed with all of the campers every day. Each kid worked on his/her own academic level. Each kid made improvements in his/her social interactions. We saw their confidence and self-esteem grow throughout the week. They started coaching and cheering on each other. They would model for each other. They praised each other. They talked to each other. We called the camp “Kids Connecting with Kids” a few times. We implemented this camp for three weeks. We are already planning for next summer. We are looking to have this camp for five weeks. We are excited to expand and offer this program to more kids. 

Best Practices in Behavior Analysis is thrilled to announce that we will be introducing a social skills camp for elementary age children.

The camp will be called "Kids Helping Kids" and it will be held for three different weeks during the month of August, 2018 in Parsippany in the heart of Morris County New Jersey.

Kids Helping Kids is an integrated social skills camp implementing tactics of Applied Behavior Analysis. Our campers will be engaged in constant learning and fun while the social skills are taught. This integrated camp experience will promote play skills, physical activity, conversations, and friendships with the help of peer modeling and peer tutoring.

The goal is to teach social repertoires within a fun and nurturing environment where relationships can be made. The program is run by two Board Certified Behavior Analysts with a combined total of 40 years experience.

This camp is ideal for those children with high functioning autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, developmental delays, or those children who could benefit from some structured social skills training.

Data will be collected on the social skills specifically being taught to the campers and progress will be tracked.

To find out more please visit our Summer Camp page or Contact Us.  Registration and intake forms will be available in April but you can add your name to the waiting list today.  You can also download the camp flyer here.

I remember the apprehension of placing our three and a half year old son, with his little jacket and backpack, on a bus for a 40 minute ride to his summer education program. Fortunately Stasia Hansen was waiting for him at the other end. She had given us hope, and that summer he was immersed in an ABA program that she designed and managed.

When our son was aggressive she was warm, when he resisted she was persistent, and throughout it all she focused on his learning and development. The most prominent memory is the hope provided by Stasia. When we were 'at the end of our rope’ due to fatigue or frustration she was a reassuring resource.

The hard work was worth it! In time she taught him to communicate, play and participate in a classroom with support from an aide.  Two decades have passed and he just completed a Bachelor degree in Computer Science at a small university in Connecticut.  

​Every day we are grateful for the life that Stasia gave our son. 

Stasia worked with our son weekly for two months last summer.

During that time, we had concerns about him exhibiting aggressive and non-compliant behaviors, particularly in a school setting. Our hope was for Stasia to help us identify inciting incidents and develop strategies to help change these behaviors. Stasia was patient and kind, and by gaining our son’s trust within the first visit, the sessions were successful.

For example, Stasia modeled a modified time out strategy that worked better for our child when he exhibited aggression. She also provided visuals and strategies that aided positive reinforcement for different task completions. Although follow through with any behavior modification plan can be very difficult for both the parent and child, our son’s negative behaviors became less frequent once the modifications became established and consistent.

He is currently completing a very successful year of Preschool, and his aggressive and non compliant behaviors are virtually nonexistent.

​Stasia’s guidance, encouragement, and genuine concern was and continues to be invaluable to our family