Does school-based ABA replace my child's IEP?

No, it works alongside it. Orchid's team collaborates with administrators on developing robust, actionable IEPs and 504 Plans, including Safety Net IEPs that add a further layer of support, so the behavior plan and the education plan pull in the same direction.

Who from Orchid actually works in the classroom?

Fully trained BCBAs and behavior technicians, supplied by Orchid, so schools don't have to recruit, hire, and train additional paras. Our BCBAs also provide in-person coaching and consultation to teachers, helping them apply ABA principles and adjust interventions as the year goes on.

How does school-based ABA support teachers and paraprofessionals?

We work directly with teachers to build behavior plans that are practical and manageable inside a busy classroom, equip them with proactive strategies for challenging behavior, and offer ongoing professional development for teachers, paras, and administrators. Continuous consultation is also how we help prevent burnout across the school year.

How are parents involved in school-based ABA?

Parents stay in the loop throughout. Orchid runs parent training workshops, keeps communication moving between school staff and families so behavior strategies stay consistent at home and at school, involves parents in transition planning between clinic and classroom, and reports on progress and next steps to schools and families alike.

Where does Orchid Academy offer school-based ABA in Washington?

Orchid supports schools around each of its Washington locations: Creekside Academy, Issaquah, Maple Street Academy, Issaquah, East Wenatchee Academy, Bothell In-Home ABA, Kirkland School & In-Home ABA, Sammamish School & In-Home ABA, Bellevue In-Home ABA, Covington In-Home ABA, Federal Way In-Home ABA, Auburn In-Home ABA. If your school is near one of those, start with the contact form and we can talk through what support would look like.

School-Based ABA

School-Based ABA Therapy

Orchid brings school-based ABA therapy into classrooms across Washington, with BCBAs and behavior technicians working alongside the teachers and paras who are already there every day.

Empowering School Administrators and Teachers: Resources & Expert Services for Autism Support

Founded by a Special Education Teacher, we are here for you!

At Orchid, we recognize the unique challenges that special education teachers face in the classroom.

Unlike traditional private ABA services, working within a school setting requires a deep understanding of the realities teachers encounter every day.

As the founder of Orchid, Dr. Autumn Flick brings firsthand experience from her seven years as a special education teacher. Her journey from the classroom to becoming a BCBA drives our commitment to providing services that are not only effective but also practical for a school environment.

Start Care Call (425) 699-7164

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Find the right support for your child

A learner receiving school-based ABA therapy support from Orchid Academy in Washington.

Key Areas of Support

At Orchid, we provide comprehensive services tailored to the unique needs of learners, teachers, administrators, and families. Whether it's enhancing classroom management, reducing the burden on school staff, or fostering collaboration between schools and families, our team is here to offer targeted solutions. Our expertise helps schools create inclusive environments where learners with autism can thrive while supporting educators and administrators in achieving lasting success.

Learners:

Tailored Behavioral and Educational Support We prioritize creating life-changing outcomes for learners and build individualized strategies that promote both behavioral and academic success in the classroom. Our approach focuses on fostering independence, enhancing communication skills, and providing the necessary tools to ensure learners can thrive alongside their peers.

Individualized Behavior Plans: Customized interventions are designed to meet each learner's needs while promoting inclusion in general education settings.
Skills-Based Treatment (SBT) / Trauma-Informed Care: Specialized techniques for addressing severe behavior challenges, with a trauma-informed approach to ensure emotional safety.
In-Classroom Behavior Support: On-site support to help learners manage challenges within the classroom, promoting positive interactions and academic success.
Functional Communication Training (FCT): Helping learners develop the skills needed for effective communication in the classroom, leading to greater independence.
Supporting Academic Instruction: We help break down academic tasks into manageable steps and provide tools that support learners' engagement with the curriculum, ensuring that they stay on track academically.

Administrators:

Improving Retention & Enhancing Service Quality At Orchid, we understand the challenges administrators face when it comes to supporting special education programs. Our services are designed to help schools improve retention and enhance the quality of behavioral support, freeing up your team to focus on what matters most: helping learners succeed.

Providing Expert ABA Professionals: We supply schools with fully trained BCBAs and behavior technicians, eliminating the need to hire and train additional paras.
Cost-Effective Staffing Solutions: By partnering with Orchid, schools can avoid the cost and time associated with recruiting, hiring, and training additional staff.
Collaborative IEP & Safety Net Plan Support: Our team works with administrators to develop robust, actionable IEPs and 504 Plans, ensuring compliance and maximizing student success. We also assist with creating Safety Net IEPs, providing an extra layer of support to ensure learners have the necessary interventions in place for long-term success.
Professional Development for Staff: We offer ongoing training for teachers, paras, and administrators, ensuring that all school personnel have the skills needed to support learners with autism.
Seamless Coordination Between Home and School: We streamline communication between families, schools, and our team, ensuring that administrators are updated on progress and support strategies.

Teachers & Paras:

Practical, Classroom-Friendly Solutions With a background in special education, we understand that teachers need practical solutions that fit into the realities of their classroom routines. Our approach is designed to help teachers manage behaviors without adding extra burden.

Classroom Integration of ABA Strategies: We work directly with teachers to implement behavior plans that are practical, manageable, and effective in a busy classroom setting.
Collaborative Problem-Solving & Burnout Prevention: We partner with teachers to address specific challenges they face in the classroom, offering ongoing consultation and practical solutions. By providing continuous support and resources, we help prevent burnout, ensuring that teachers feel equipped and energized throughout the school year.
Behavior Management Techniques: Teachers are equipped with proactive strategies for managing challenging behaviors, preventing disruptions, and promoting a positive learning environment.
On-Site Coaching and Consultation: Our BCBAs provide in-person support to teachers, helping them apply ABA principles and adjust interventions as needed.
Social & Communication Skills Development: We help teachers foster key skills in learners, such as communication, social interaction, and self-regulation, ensuring that they can participate more fully in classroom activities.

Parents / Guardians:

Engaging Families in the Learning Process We believe that strong partnerships between schools and families are essential to a learner's success. Our parent collaboration services ensure that families are actively engaged and informed throughout the school year.

Parent Training Workshops: We offer workshops for parents to understand better autism and how they can support their child's behavior plan at home.
Home-School Collaboration: Regular communication between school staff and parents ensures consistency in behavior strategies across environments.
Family-Centered Transition Planning: We involve parents in transition planning as learners move from clinic to school or between classrooms, ensuring a smooth and supportive process.
Parent Resource Hub: Access to free resources and training videos to help families support their child's learning and behavior at home. Check our Autism Resource Navigator www.orchidacademy.com/blog
Consistent Communication About Progress: We work with both schools and parents to keep everyone informed about progress, challenges, and next steps in the learner's behavioral and educational journey.

Resources Designed for Teachers & Administrators

A woman sitting at a table with food and utensils, appearing thoughtful, in a classroom decorated with children's artwork on the walls.

Preventing Teacher Burnout Through Professional Development: A Tailored Approach for Special Education Teachers

Preventing Burnout? Discover how ongoing support, professional development, and a positive school culture can prevent burnout for special education teachers. Learn from personal experience and research to create lasting change in your school community! 🌟 Read the full article to find out how you can make a difference for your team. 💪📚

Three people in a discussion in an office. One woman is talking, holding a folder, another woman is standing with a coffee cup and a badge, and a man is sitting wearing a badge.

Empowering Teachers: How to Advocate for Yourself When Working with Paraprofessionals

👩‍🏫 Advocating for Yourself with Paraprofessionals can be a challenge, especially when roles are unclear or conflicts arise. By focusing on key areas like safety, team-building, and clear communication, teachers can create a more positive classroom environment. Remember to approach administrators with solutions in hand, not just problems, and use data to back up your requests. 💪 Clear expectations and proactive communication can transform the way you work with paras, fostering collaboration that benefits everyone! 🌟

Three women walking and talking outdoors, two holding phones and one holding a notebook, dressed in business casual attire.

When 10% of Your Teachers Take Up 80% of Your Time: A Guide for Supporting Special Education

Supporting special education teachers isn't just about providing resources or managing budgets. It's also about compassion and understanding. 💖 These teachers face unique challenges, from balancing high parent involvement 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 to managing their own health 🏥 due to close, often unpredictable interactions with learners. Simple acts like honoring sick day requests 🗓️ or practicing active listening 👂 with phrases like, "I hear you had a tough day," can make a world of difference in helping special education teachers feel supported. 🌟

Explore more on our Autism Resource Navigator blog.

Educators and clinicians can also review our provider referral process for sending records securely and coordinating a family's next step.

Where Orchid Academy Offers School-Based ABA in Washington

School-Based ABA Therapy: Questions Schools and Families Ask

What is school-based ABA therapy?: School-based ABA therapy brings ABA support into your child's existing classroom rather than a clinic. Orchid places BCBAs and behavior technicians on site to work alongside the teachers and paras who are already there every day, covering individualized behavior plans, in-classroom behavior support, functional communication training, and help breaking academic tasks into manageable steps.
Does school-based ABA replace my child's IEP?: No, it works alongside it. Orchid's team collaborates with administrators on developing robust, actionable IEPs and 504 Plans, including Safety Net IEPs that add a further layer of support, so the behavior plan and the education plan pull in the same direction.
Who from Orchid actually works in the classroom?: Fully trained BCBAs and behavior technicians, supplied by Orchid, so schools don't have to recruit, hire, and train additional paras. Our BCBAs also provide in-person coaching and consultation to teachers, helping them apply ABA principles and adjust interventions as the year goes on.
How does school-based ABA support teachers and paraprofessionals?: We work directly with teachers to build behavior plans that are practical and manageable inside a busy classroom, equip them with proactive strategies for challenging behavior, and offer ongoing professional development for teachers, paras, and administrators. Continuous consultation is also how we help prevent burnout across the school year.
How are parents involved in school-based ABA?: Parents stay in the loop throughout. Orchid runs parent training workshops, keeps communication moving between school staff and families so behavior strategies stay consistent at home and at school, involves parents in transition planning between clinic and classroom, and reports on progress and next steps to schools and families alike.
Where does Orchid Academy offer school-based ABA in Washington?: Orchid supports schools around each of its Washington locations: Creekside Academy, Issaquah, Maple Street Academy, Issaquah, East Wenatchee Academy, Bothell In-Home ABA, Kirkland School & In-Home ABA, Sammamish School & In-Home ABA, Bellevue In-Home ABA, Covington In-Home ABA, Federal Way In-Home ABA, Auburn In-Home ABA. If your school is near one of those, start with the contact form and we can talk through what support would look like.

Related services & guides

Insurance Orchid Academy Accepts for ABA Therapy

Orchid Academy is in network with Premera Blue Cross, Regence, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Medicaid (Washington Apple Health), Molina Healthcare, Asuris Northwest Health, Personify Health, TRICARE.

Not sure if your plan is covered? Our team is happy to verify your benefits and explain your coverage before services begin - at no cost to you!

We know insurance can feel overwhelming. Our team will verify your benefits, answer your questions, and help you understand your coverage before services begin.

Verify My Insurance →

Call (425) 699-7164 to check your plan, or compare carriers in the insurance guide.