Other Services
ABA and Pharmacological Services
Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc. (ABC, Inc.) is now collaborating
with DR. Paul C. Copeland (Adolescent and Child Psychiatrist)
[www.hpathways.com] on ABA programs
where there are indicators that pharmacological interventions could facilitate
the effectiveness of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) interventions.
For example, many children and individuals diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum
have associated health and biologically based psychiatric conditions (acute or chronic)
such as gastrointestinal problems, constipation, sleep disorders, ADHD, and
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, that effect how well they respond to ABA treatment.
When such health conditions exist, ABA treatment can be compromised and may not
result in long-term behavior changes without including pharmacological intervention.
Research indicates that when individuals have these associated conditions in conjunction
with other types of developmental and/or neurological disorders, often times the
problem behaviors that are displayed serve as negative reinforcement to alleviate
the aversive state the individual is experiencing as a result of the existing health conditions.
In other words, health conditions can exacerbate some aspect of the behavior-environment
relationship shaping and maintaining the problem behaviors, contributing to a greater
probability these behaviors will occur (Kennedy & Thompson, 2000).
The research findings also show significant improvement in behavior, as well as,
medical and psychiatric conditions when a broader range of variables are treated where
biological and environmental aspects exist that contribute to problem behavior
(Kennedy and Becker, 2006).
If you are interested or believe your child could benefit from this ABA-Pharmacological
collaborative approach, please contact Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc. at
bterzich@appliedbehavior.com or
bterzich0930@msn.com; (916) 364-7800 ext. 111 or
Healing Pathways Medical Clinic, Inc. at drcopeland@hpathways.com; 916 376 8416 .
This service is available direct for both ABA and pharmacological services in Sacramento and
Placer County or direct for ABA services and by webcam consultation for pharmacological evaluations
and consultation for San Joaquin County (Stockton, Lodi), the Bay Area
(Antioch, Berkley, Concord, Pleasanton, San Francisco) and the greater Los Angeles Area
(Valencia, Clarita, Antelope and the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel, Pomona, and
Ontario).
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Additional Testimonials
We entered Dr. Copeland's office at an extremely difficult time. We were desperate,
barely surviving day by day, hour by hour. Immediately, Dr.Copeland tenaciously
worked to find the appropriate medication for our son. Medication management took a
significant amount of time, but he did not stop there. Dr. Copeland made a school
psychologist available for consultation and arranged for us to work directly with Brenda
Terzich-Garland, BCBA, an accomplished and well-recognized behaviorist. Ms.
Terzich-Garland had the experience and expertise to quickly identify our son's needs and
develop a behavioral plan and functional skills program that has resulted in steady
improvement for him over the last year and one-half. At 10, our son finally has the
appropriate support to help him succeed. It is no exaggeration when I say that Ms
Terzich-Garland's behavioral expertise in combination with Dr. Copeland's
pharmaceutical expertise literally saved our son and as a result, our family.
Caring for our son's needs was enough, but as the mom, I place great value on the
incredible respect Dr. Copeland demonstrates to me with every contact. During each
visit Dr. Copeland communicates his support and recognition of each and every effort I
have made on our son's behalf. This is greatly appreciated, but what impressed me the
most was the morning a student was present at our appointment. With my permission Dr.
Copeland gave the student a brief history of our son's diagnosis, and treatment. Then, he
clearly and compassionately described the challenges our son's special needs created
from my perspective. I had not expressed my personal challenges and emotions
throughout this long journey, but he had the insight and empathy to perceive the
experience of a mother of a severely disabled child. In my experience this ability is rare.
I know the future will hold many challenges, but I now face it with hope knowing our son
has a team of experts that are capable of supporting his unique needs so that he can reach
his full potential.
(Sandy Gagain)
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