Our Blog

Beyond Discrete Trial Training: Event-Based Teaching for ABA Classrooms and Centers

Event-based teaching helps BCBAs and educators organize individualized, functional-skill instruction within meaningful classroom and center routines. Learn how Kristina Montgomery and Emily Beal Wilkinson developed this Essential for Living approach—and how teams can use recurring events to support participation, communication, independence, and quality of life.

#Classroom Design #Daily Living Skills #Event-Based Teaching #Functional Life Skills #Generalization #In-Context Instruction

Dr. Patrick McGreevy

Oct 24

Side by Side: Alice, Her Health, and Her Behavior

A child neuropsychiatrist’s perspective on Rett syndrome, changes in adult behavior, medical evaluation, and essential skills.

#Essential for Living #Functional Life Skills #Health and Behavior #Rett Syndrome

Chiara Pezzana

Oct 24

Using Essential for Living and Event-Based Teaching to Prepare Students for Life After 21

Learn how SEARCH Day Program uses Essential for Living and Event-Based Teaching to teach functional life skills and strengthen transition programming for students with moderate-to-severe disabilities.

#Applied Behavior Analysis #Essential for Living #Event-Based Teaching #Functional Life Skills #Life After 21 #Moderate-to-Severe Disabilities #SEARCH Day Program #Skill Based Treatment

Edward Sidley, MA, BCBA

Oct 14

Classroom Design: Use it to Cue the Behavior You Want to See

What if the way we design our classrooms is limiting the skills our students learn? Explore how rethinking traditional special education classrooms can create more natural learning environments, promote independence, and help students develop functional life skills that matter beyond the classroom.

#Classroom Design #Daily Living Skills #Event-Based Teaching #Functional Life Skills #Generalization #In-Context Instruction #Special Education

Emily Beal Wilkinson, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Oct 11

Practical Functional Assessment Skill Based Treatment Essential For Living

Explore the differences between Traditional Functional Analysis and Practical Functional Analysis (PFA) with Dr. Greg Hanley. Learn how assent-based assessment, safer procedures, and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) are changing the way behavior analysts assess and treat severe problem behavior, with an emphasis on meaningful outcomes and improved quality of life.

#Dr. Greg Hanley #Essential for Living #FTF Behavioral Consulting #Practical Functional Assessment #Skill Based Treatment

Gregory P. Hanley, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Apr 15

Essential for Living (EFL): What It's All  About 

Dr. Patrick McGreevy

Mar 15