Specialized Behaviour Services
- Ages 5 to 18
- For behaviour that needs specialized support
- Two programs
- In centre (Next Steps also at home or online)
Not every child needs the same kind of one-to-one support. Some need focused support to build the skills that make broader learning possible; others are ready to work on specific skills for greater independence. Two specialized programs target these different needs, and each starts with an intake process to make sure it is the right fit.
What is Specialized Behaviour Services?
AlphaBee offers two specialized programs. Empowering Skills supports children whose interfering behaviours limit their participation in community and social life, helping them build skills for safer, more comfortable involvement. Next Steps extends beyond our regular curriculum, focusing on greater independence, community involvement and meaningful connections with the people in your child's life.
The two programs
SBS covers two services. The right program for your child is decided through our intake process.
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Empowering Skills
A higher-support program for learners whose significant behaviour is making it difficult to participate successfully in ABA, school or everyday routines. Sessions are two hours, twice a week, with two trained staff supporting the learner throughout.
Ages 5 to 18 -
Next Steps
Focused ABA for learners who are generally managing well in school and daily life but would benefit from support with a smaller number of specific goals. Typically one day a week, led by an Instructor Therapist, with centre, home or online options depending on fit.
Ages 6 to 18
| Empowering Skills | Next Steps | |
|---|---|---|
| Ages | 5 to 18 | 6 to 18 |
| How often | Two sessions a week | Once a week minimum |
| Session length | Two hours | One hour minimum |
| Commitment | 12-week block | Minimum 3 months |
| Staff per session | Two | One |
| Where | Centre only | Centre, home or online |
| Before starting | Intake, then extended intake | Intake, then suitability questionnaire |
| Progress reviews | Formal review every six months | Formal review every six months |
Empowering Skills
Empowering Skills uses Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) for children and teens whose significant behaviour is making it hard to participate safely or successfully in ABA, school or everyday routines. Sessions focus on building communication, tolerating delays or changes, and gradually learning the everyday skills needed to take part in more challenging activities. Two trained staff provide support during sessions, with the goal of building the skills needed for greater independence and, when appropriate, a transition to one-to-one ABA.
Next Steps
Next Steps is a focused, lower-hour ABA program for children and teens who are generally managing well in school and daily life but would benefit from support with a smaller number of priority goals. Goals might include independence, organization, social skills, daily living, problem solving, emotional regulation or flexibility, allowing learners to work on specific skills while continuing with the rest of their usual week.
Which program is right for my child?
If significant behaviour is stopping your child from safely or successfully taking part in regular ABA, Empowering Skills is usually where we start. If they are doing well at school and in their day-to-day routines but would benefit from focused work on a few specific goals, Next Steps is more likely to be the fit.
Our intake process determines which program is the right fit.
What comes first
Both programs begin with our standard intake. Each program then adds its own step before sessions start.
Empowering Skills adds an extended intake, because understanding this type of behaviour takes more than one conversation.
Next Steps adds a suitability questionnaire to make sure the program is right for your child. If it is not, we will let you know and suggest other options.
What it costs
Rates are per hour of direct session time.
| Program | In centre | At home | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empowering Skills | $150 | Not offered | Not offered |
| Next Steps | $125 | $135 | $100 |
Both programs include preparation and goal-setting time outside the session, and a monthly team meeting at $25.
These are AlphaBee's published rates. Your exact figure is confirmed before anything is booked. Services may be HST exempt with the required documentation.
Questions we get asked
Is my child's behaviour too severe for this program?
This is the program for behaviour that other services have struggled with. The extended intake and the two-staff ratio exist precisely so that we are not turning families away at the point they most need help. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you and suggest other options.
Why does it cost more than your ABA program?
These programs use specialized assessment and treatment approaches beyond our standard one-to-one ABA model. Empowering Skills also includes two trained staff in each session, while Next Steps is delivered one-to-one and is priced closer to standard ABA.
Can we do this at home?
Next Steps can be delivered at home or online when appropriate. Empowering Skills is normally centre-based because the program requires two trained staff, enough space to work safely, and access to additional staff and centre resources if needed. Home-based Empowering Skills would only be considered in rare situations with clinical approval.
Will my child be restrained?
Our goal across all services is to avoid physical intervention wherever safely possible. Staff are trained in CPI's Nonviolent Crisis Intervention approach, which emphasizes prevention, recognizing escalation early and de-escalation.
Physical intervention is more likely to be relevant in Empowering Skills because the program supports learners with more significant behaviour. SBT progresses gradually and responds to early signs that a situation is becoming difficult wherever possible. Physical intervention is reserved for situations where it is necessary for immediate safety; it is not used as a teaching strategy.
How long does the program last?
Empowering Skills is delivered in 12-week blocks, with two 2-hour sessions each week (24 sessions per block). At the end of each block, the team reviews progress and may recommend another 12-week block if needed. The longer-term goal is usually to build the skills needed to move into regular one-to-one ABA.
Next Steps has a minimum three-month commitment and can be as little as one hour a week, depending on your child's goals and recommended level of support.
Where sessions happen
Not ready to call yet?
Start with the free printables our clinical team uses with families. Free to download, no sign-up required.
Or read what happens next after you get in touch.
Start with a conversation
A 30-minute conversation about your child, your priorities and how we can help. We’ll walk you through our services, answer your questions and discuss next steps.
Book a consultation