Early Intervention Centers

What is Applied Behavior Analysis? (ABA)

ABA is the science of behavior dedicated to understanding and improving socially significant behavior.  

ABA is not a single intervention, but instead is a set of principles to evidence based interventions to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors.  

ABA became more widely known in the 1980’s when the first studies with positive outcomes for effective treatment for children with autism were conducted.  However, ABA had been around since the 1960’s in many different fields, such as in Education and Mental Health.

In 2009 , the National Autism Center released national standards for best practices for people with autism which includes many behavioral treatments, including Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention

Scientific studies have indicated that in order to receive best outcomes for children with autism, children should be engaged in treatment for 30 to 40 hours per week.

At GMBC Early Intervention Centers, children receive service hours accordingly dependent on their individualized needs, but can potentially receive up to 32 hours of center based services.  

Each child's program is overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) and is implemented by skilled and experienced Behavior Instructors. 

Treatment often consists of a variety of interventions and services that focus on:

  • Comprehensive assessments and concurrent reviews for progress monitoring

  • Skill building programs for communication, social and adaptive skills

  • Individualized Behavior Support Plans to increase self-regulatory skills and mediate challenging  behaviors

  • Combination of group and 1:1 instruction

  • Other services offered include: ​Discrete Trial Instruction, Skills Based Treatment, Verbal Behavior Strategies, Natural Environment Teaching Strategies, and Parent Training may be a part of each child's treatment at the center. 

Parent Training

According to recent studies, parent training is paramount to a child's success.  Our mission is to help families and caregivers feel empowered to be able to teach their children skills and manage their behavior successfully. 

At our Early Intervention centers, parent training and observation sessions will include a more systematic ABA approach to teaching parents the skills they need to be successful at home and in their community with their child.

To learn more, we recommend this short article from Yale News.

What Does Support Look Like?

Children in our Early Intervention Program are supported by a collaborative team designed to provide individualized care, meaningful relationships, and consistent support to help children build foundational skills, increase independence, and access meaningful learning, play, communication, and social experiences.

In addition to the following, to support safety and preparedness, all staff are trained in emergency crisis intervention as well as early childhood CPR and First Aid.

Behavior Consultants (Clinicians):

  • Our Behavior Consultants, also referred to as Clinicians, collaborate closely with children, families, caregivers, and other members of a child’s support team to develop and oversee individualized treatment plans based on each child’s strengths, needs, interests, and developmental goals.

  • Clinicians use ongoing assessment, collaboration, and meaningful data to guide decision making and adjust supports as children learn and grow.

  • All Early Intervention Clinicians at GMBC are Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with specialized knowledge and experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). GMBC provides ongoing supervision, training, and professional development to ensure clinicians are implementing compassionate, up-to-date, and evidence-based practices.

Behavior Technicians (BTs):

  • Behavior Technicians (BTs) provide individualized, day-to-day support to children through direct therapeutic services in our early intervention settings. BTs help children build meaningful skills through play, relationship building, structured learning opportunities, and naturally occurring everyday experiences.

  • BTs implement individualized plans developed by clinicians, support communication and social development, build daily living and school readiness skills, and collect meaningful data to help guide treatment decisions and support progress.

  • All BTs at GMBC complete a minimum of 40 hours of foundational training before beginning direct services and receive additional shadowing and hands-on support before working with a new client independently. BTs also receive ongoing supervision, coaching, and professional development to maintain high quality, compassionate care.

Locations

We are proud to provide Early Intervention services to children and families across the state of Vermont and honored to partner with families during some of the most important years of growth, learning, and development.

Our Early Intervention Centers serve children primarily ages 2 to 5 years old with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and provides early intensive behavioral supports alongside parent and caregiver coaching designed to strengthen skills, confidence, and connection both at home and in everyday life.

Montpelier, VT

Established, 2016

Bennington, VT

Established, 2021

Newport, VT

Established, 2025

We are deeply grateful for the dedicated staff who make this work possible and for their joy, curiosity, growth, and connection they help to foster every day.

Supporting children as they learn new skills, build confidence, and discover the world around them is a privelage.

Just as importantly, the children and families we serve continually teach us through their strengths, perspectives, resilience, humor, and joy. privilege