SCLC
Founder- Executive Director, Behavior Analyst
Brittany J. Hillhouse, M.Ed., LBA, BCBA
Brittany has worked with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in both the clinical and public-school settings. Initially she worked in a clinical setting for four years and received intensive supervision and training from well-known contributors in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). During grad-school at Texas A&M University she transitioned to the public-school system where she taught in both a preschool program for children with Autism and the Young Autism Program for students K-5th. During her 6 years of public-school experience she was both supervised by behavior analysts whom have had a positive impact on contributions to the field of ABA. In the public-school system she assisted in-class support teams by providing visuals and strategies to assist children in the general education environment. This experience contributed to the realization of critical components including skills that are required for a child to successfully transition from the clinical setting to the natural environment (school). The critical need to implement a program that provides an emphasis on quality attending skills, communication, language, cognition, motor development, social, play, vocational, self-help skills, and classroom behavior skills must be in place for successful transitioning. With exposure and experience to both environments one can create the best of both worlds. Social Connections physical arrangement and program structure is catered to the learner. The center appearance resembles that of the natural learning environment with generalization rotations scheduled throughout the client’s therapy session. Generalization targets are implemented during designated rotations to occasion natural learning opportunities . Group Time rotation includes specific targets for learning in a group, peer interaction, social and play rotations are uniquely structured to teach peer engagement through age-appropriate play. Motor Lab incorporates both gross motor activities and sport games split scheduled daily. Utilizing a teaching approach that prepares clients for real world situations is the point of generalization. Throughout her experience when teaching K-5th exposure to students whom benefitted more from functional, life-skills encouraged the implementation and development of Social Connections 3 developmental programs. Abilities, Transition Phase 1 & 2, and lastly Inclusion. Brittany is passionate about the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and sustains active memberships with Applied Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), and Texas Applied Behavior Analysis Chapter (TxABA). Brittany currently is a student representative on the TxABA promoting ABA Ad Hoc Committee. Brittany is a current Doctoral Student seeking to enhance the field with strategies and effective research regarding quality intervention, including evaluating current standards. Social Connections utilizes in-the-moment teaching strategies, while placing high emphasis on creative and innovative programming to ensure the learner is constantly progressing. Although work is being applied to best meet the needs of clients during therapy sessions, ABA is not a diet but a lifestyle. Social Connections expects Parent Trainings to be an active example of application of treatment strategies and protocols to be implemented within the home. Working as a team is the best way to make the most effective, positive, impact on the child.
“If they don’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn.”
-Ivar O. Lovaas
