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Grand Valley Behavior Services and Consulting
Grand Valley Behavior Services and Consulting
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Grand Valley Behavior: services and consulting

Grand Valley Behavior: services and consultingGrand Valley Behavior: services and consultingGrand Valley Behavior: services and consulting

Creating confident and capable children and caregivers. 










Contact Us

Grand Valley Behavior: services and consulting

Grand Valley Behavior: services and consultingGrand Valley Behavior: services and consultingGrand Valley Behavior: services and consulting

Creating confident and capable children and caregivers. 










Contact Us

Question of the month

Ask a BCBA!  Click on the arrows below to view the question of the month, the response from a BCBA, and an important disclaimer.

Hi GVBSC BCBA,


So many ABA providers say they provide naturalistic environment teaching. What does this mean and is it pretty much the same at all places?

 

                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                       What is 'natural' really?


Dear What is 'natural' really?


Great question — and one that families ask often. The short answer is: No, naturalistic teaching is not the same everywhere. In fact, there are major differences between what some providers call “naturalistic” and what it actually looks like in practice.


What Naturalistic Environment Teaching Should Mean

In true naturalistic learning, teaching happens:

  • During activities the child chooses or is motivated by
  • Using materials the child is already interested in or shows interest in
  • By challenging with respect for the child's development and in ways that prioritize dignity and safety 
  • Within the environments the child naturally explores (including outdoors)
  • Through play, movement, and shared enjoyment
  • Without forcing participation or compliance
  • With the child leading the direction and pace
  • With the understanding that the adult/RBT must learn to read and understand the child's behavior
     

Naturalistic teaching is supposed to feel joyful, respectful, and meaningful — not adult-directed or rigid.


What It Sometimes Means in Practice (and Why Families Notice a Difference)

Many ABA programs describe themselves as “naturalistic” because sessions happen in a playroom, games and toys are used, or an RBT sits on the floor with a child instead of at a table.
But the teaching can still be:

  • Adult-led and in a space the adult chose
  • Heavily prompted 
  • Reinforcement-driven rather than relationship-driven 
  • Focused on checklists rather than connection
  • More about “getting through programs” than following the child
  • Focused on teaching a child to comply over communicating their needs, wants, and feelings.
     

That is very different from true naturalistic intervention.


What Naturalistic Teaching Looks Like at GVBSC

At Grand Valley Behavior, we practice true naturalistic environment teaching, meaning:

  • The child always has access to choice and autonomy 
  • We follow their lead, not a preset agenda 
  • Learning goals are embedded into the activities they already love
  • Teaching moments are created through curiosity, connection, and shared joy
  • We adjust our actions to match the child’s regulation, interest, and comfort 
  • Outdoor environments are used freely and intentionally
  • We prioritize relationships, emotional safety, and assent
  • Progress requires connection, communication, and confidence — not compliance
     

For example, if a child wants to explore rocks and dirt outside, we join them there and embed learning to support the goals into that play, which are developed with the child's caregivers, rather than redirecting them to an adult-planned task.


Why This Matters

When naturalistic teaching is done well, children:

  • Feel safe and understood
  • Stay motivated because activities are meaningful 
  • Communicate more spontaneously
  • Build trust and confidence 
  • Engage with others more naturally
  • Reduce frustration and challenging behavior
  • Learn skills that generalize because they’re tied to real life
     

So Is It the Same Everywhere?

No — not at all.
“Naturalistic ABA” can look very different depending on the provider. At GVBSC, it is one of the core foundations of our practice, not a buzzword or a checkbox.

We work hard to ensure that naturalistic teaching:

  • honors neurodiversity, 
  • respects autonomy,
  • prioritizes emotional well-being, and
  • creates authentic, joyful learning moments.
     

If you ever want to see what this looks like in action, we’re always happy to share examples or arrange a parent observation.



                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                      GVBSC BCBA


Disclaimer:

The information provided in response to community questions reflects general, evidence-based strategies that may be helpful when implemented correctly. However, these strategies are not intended to replace individualized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services or other professional recommendations. Without a comprehensive understanding of the individual’s unique history, environment, and needs, these suggestions may not fully address the challenges presented.


In ABA services, effective teaching typically involves modeling, role-play, and feedback—not just verbal or written explanations. Families may require more direct support from a BCBA to ensure strategies are applied safely and effectively.


Our Mission

Grand Valley Behavior is a team of passionate and skilled Board-Certified Behavior Analysts and Registered Behavior Technicians, using trauma assumed Applied Behavior Analysis. GVBSC emphasizes outdoor and naturalistic environment teaching, and partners with families, clients, and therapy teams across the Western Slope to support confident and capable children and caregivers. 


GVBSC professionals are able to serve clients, ages 1 - 21, of all abilities; however, our staff are certified in Professional Crisis Management and Skills Based Treatment, 2 of the most current, evidence-based, trauma informed practices for working with individuals with severe challenging behaviors. 




What sets us apart

At GVBSC, we use "NEW ABA" to support our clients' growth. What does that mean? 


AT GVBSC, NEW ABA:

  • Is relationship, assent, and consent based.
  • Employs staff certified in Skills Based Treatment, including Level 6 trainers, and Professional Crisis Management, including PCM instructors.
  • Provides services in multiple settings to support changes in behavior.
  • Provides trauma assumed and compassionate care.
  • Uses natural reinforcers and contingencies.
  • Respects and encourages neurodiversity.
  • Places a greater emphasis on skill building.
  • Recommends hours based on individual need, using a dosage chart.
  • Families and caregivers are respected as collaborative partners in their child's treatment.


OUTDATED, OLD SCHOOL ABA INCLUDES:

  • Services provided in limited environments, such as in an individual room, for extended periods of time.
  • Restrictions an individual’s ability to leave the room.
  • High levels of contrived reinforcement.
  • High levels of punishment and repetition to change behavior.
  • A focus on reducing challenging behaviors rather than teaching new skills.
  • Work to fit neurodiverse individuals into societal standards rather than accepting neurodiversity.


Our Philosophy

At GVBSC, we work as a team to empower caregivers and clients to achieve the skills they need to access a meaningful and fulfilling life. We create treatment plans based on our clients' unique strengths, needs, hopes and dreams and prioritize the client and their family’s perspective when determining what goals will be most meaningful and result in the best outcomes. 


At GVBSC, to maintain an environment where vulnerability is valued as a critical component of learning and empowerment, we operate with kindness, compassion, integrity, and respect for the perspectives each team member and client bring to our community. 


Our Settings

We have 3 center-based locations, 2 in downtown Grand Junction and 1 in the Redlands.  However, we provide services in multiple settings: home, community, and in our centers.  GVBSC prioritizes outdoor learning and recognizes the value added to our clients' learning when we do not restrict their ability to learn in nature. Our center settings are designed to support both individual and social skills and to enhance development across developmental domains (communication, cognitive, social, emotional, motor, and adaptive),  


Click here to check out more of our setting: 

See our settings

Cultural responsivity and diversity statement

“The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit.” 

                                                                                 – Wade Davis


At GVBSC, we recognize and have a deep respect for and understanding that every client, family, GVBSC team member, and collaborator comes to us with their own distinct values, traditions, experiences, background, hopes and dreams. 


We demonstrate this respect through our commitment to and recognition of the many dimensions of diversity, and through our support of racial, linguistic, neurological, physical, gender, ethnicity, age and overall cultural diversity in our organization and in our services. 


The GVBSC team is proud to represent all aforementioned dimensions of diversity. 

Translation Services


At GVBSC, we strongly believe that language should not be a barrier to accessing high-quality services. To support our clients and families who speak languages other than English, GVBSC uses Southeast Spanish for translation services at no cost to our clients. If you would like to take advantage of this no cost translation service, please contact Allison Goryl, GVBSC’s office administrator, at 970-317-7175. Additionally, GVBSC uses CentralReach, a leading software and services platform, which includes documentation, resources, and customer support to assist Spanish speaking users. CentralReach has a client portal, which allows parents or caregivers to login to their own CentralReach account to access personalized data sheets, session notes, appointments and more. Finally, GVBSC also staffs multiple bilingual Registered Behavior Technicians who can implement treatment in Spanish for families whose primary language is Spanish. 


Videos and Use of Closed Captioning 

GVBSC is committed to ensuring our video consent is accessible to everyone. As such, all of our videos are hosted through CentralReach, Relias, and Zoom, with built-in closed captioning features included. For more information on enabling the closed captioning features, please contact the GVBSC office administrator, Allison Goryl.


Accessibility:

GVBSC makes every reasonable accommodation for clients that may have a documented disability to access services. These accommodations may include specialized equipment, technology, and the physical set up of the organization’s physical locations. Our clinic spaces are handicap-accessible and provide easy access for a wide range of physical disabilities. If you require additional accommodation, please contact your supervisor or our office administrator, Allison Goryl. 


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