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Early Intervention at Community Behavior Consulting: Building Skills for School and Life

  • Writer: Jen Gonda
    Jen Gonda
  • Sep 23
  • 2 min read

At Community Behavior Consulting (CBC), we believe that early intervention changes lives. When children receive

high-quality, evidence-based support during their earliest years, they build the foundation for communication, learning, and independence that carries them through school and beyond.

That’s why our Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) program focuses on teaching in the natural environment. We know kids learn best when skills are woven into play, routines, and everyday interactions. Our staff use Natural Environment Teaching (NET) to capture learning moments in meaningful contexts — whether it’s asking for a toy, engaging in pretend play, or sharing a snack with peers.

Our ultimate goal is not only to reduce barriers but to transition children into their least restrictive school setting, where they can learn alongside peers and thrive in their communities.

Progress at CBC is tracked carefully through ongoing assessments. Based on Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Planning Program (VB-MAPP) reassessments conducted over three months: Children in our EIBI program gained an average of 3.38 milestone skills per month. For comparison, typically developing peers gain 3.5 milestone skills per month.

This means our clients are advancing at almost the same rate as their typically developing peers — a powerful indicator that early intervention is closing developmental gaps.

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And the outcomes are real: Out of 12 clients receiving intensive early intervention ABA services, 4 clients (33%) successfully transitioned to full-day school services this year.

At age 2.5, “Charlotte” (name changed for privacy) began services at CBC. She was nonverbal, engaged in daily challenging behaviors such as tantrums and aggression, and struggled to participate in structured activities.

Through three years of natural environment teaching and structured ABA, Charlotte built her communication skills using PECS and later spoken language. As her words grew, her frustration decreased. She began to initiate play with peers, follow routines, and show curiosity in learning.

Today, Charlotte attends her local school district’s general education kindergarten class. With minimal support, she learns alongside her peers, communicates independently, and participates fully in classroom routines.

At age 3, “Ethan” entered CBC with no functional language and frequent self-injurious behavior when demands were placed. Early sessions focused on communication, safety, and reducing barriers to learning.

Over three years, Ethan mastered foundational communication through NET and gradually expanded to structured learning. He developed play skills, social skills, and self-help independence that allowed him to access new environments successfully.

This fall, Ethan started first grade in his home district’s regular education classroom. His teachers report strong participation, emerging friendships, and academic growth consistent with peers.

At Community Behavior Consulting, these outcomes are not isolated success stories — they are the direct result of a structured, compassionate, and data-driven approach to early intervention.

By meeting children where they are, embedding teaching in natural routines, and prioritizing transition to the least restrictive environment, we help families envision a future where their child’s abilities, not their diagnosis, define their school journey.

 
 
 

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Canfield Clinic
4410 Boardman Canfield Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406
Niles Clinic
950 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles, Ohio 44446

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361 Johnston Place, Youngstown, Ohio 44514

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