Cuddy May Applied Behavior Analysis
Behavior Analysis and Speech Language Pathology Services for Children
Cuddy May ABA is a private agency providing the highest quality applied behavior analysis (ABA) and speech services for the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as children exhibiting behavior challenges related to ADHD/ADD, language delays, sensory processing issues, etc. We serve children ages18 months to18 years. Our approach and philosophy emphasizes highly individualized ABA programming to meet each child’s unique set of strengths and weaknesses, coordination of speech and language therapy, and parent/caregiver involvement and training. We believe that a team that works closely with family members is the key to meaningful progress and positive outcomes for the children we serve.
We provide intensive home ABA programming, in-home speech and language therapy, and SEIT support in school settings, as well as frequent supervision, ongoing assessment, and monthly collaborative team meetings to bring the highest quality of care to each child we serve.
Cuddy May ABA was founded by Joshua May, a board certified and licensed behavior analyst, C. Zoë Cuddy, a board certified and licensed behavior analyst and clinical psychologist, and Tara Egloff May, a speech and language pathologist. Together, we bring many years of experience and expertise together with a shared commitment to working with children and their families. Our therapists work in the five boroughs of New York City as well as in parts of Long Island and Westchester.
Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behavior Analysis is a scientifically validated approach for young children and students with autism. Many scientific studies have established that long term and intensive therapy using ABA principles with young children with autism improves the outcome for those children. While each child is different, this usually means that children should receive between 25-40 hours per week of ABA instruction during their early years. ABA therapy may include discrete trial teaching (DTT) and/or natural environment teaching (NET). ABA uses positive reinforcement and reward to elicit appropriate or desired behaviors and decrease undesired behaviors. ABA also may use ABC data - Antecedent, Behavior and Consequence - to determine what happens immediately before a behavior occurs and what happens after the behavior. ABA programs are individualized to each unique child. The goals and objectives (or “programs”) that are run have been designed to address and target a student’s specific areas of need.
Our therapists are all certified and licensed professionals with extensive experience developing and implementing ABA programming for varying degrees of impairment and functioning. We are highly selective in our hiring process and we are committed to hiring BCBA-LBA therapists who share our enthusiasm and commitment to working closely with families.
We provide in-home speech and language therapy services with our team of carefully selected SLPs. Our SLPs have extensive experience working specifically with the Autism population and collaborating with ABA professionals. As such, our SLPs are an integral part of our team approach and work hand in hand with our ABA team members and families. Speech and language therapy addresses the language and communication deficits of children with autism, ranging from speech sounds, language, social communication, voice, fluency, and feeding issues. If a child is diagnosed with apraxia, we provide SLPs with PROMPT training.
Speech and Language Therapy
SEIT
A Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) is a teaching specialist with training to work in the classroom setting with children with developmental delays, speech and language issues, behavioral and/or social-emotional concerns. SEITs can be helpful when a child’s issues are moderate and he/she is able to remain in their current setting as long as they are provided with some targeted support. Our SEITs are carefully selected and have experience and knowledge of ABA methodology in order to ensure behavioral goals are addressed effectively.
We provide initial assessments to determine a child’s areas of deficit and to inform programming as well as periodic (every 6 months) re-assessments to track progress and inform programming. Assessments selectively target areas of functioning (language and communication, social skills, adaptive skills, etc). Comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations can be completed if necessary.
