Proactive Behavior Services help socially and developmentally challenged kids reach their full potential
By Mary Malik
Every child reaching their potential. That’s the goal of Proactive Behavior Services. Dr. Leah Gongola, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA, is the owner and director of Proactive Behavior Services, where staff members are meeting children where they are in terms of their social and behavioral development, utilizing a scientific, play-based approach to decreasing problem behavior. The team provides individualized behavioral, academic and functional programming based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to help individuals reach their full potential.
“ABA programming is a very personalized approach designed to systematically structure the child’s environment for quality interactions,” Dr. Gongola says. “It begins with an assessment to determine skill level and where gaps exist in the child’s development.”
Dr. Gongola says success is different for each child.
“For some, it’s going to college. For others, it’s living independently, or sitting through a meal at a restaurant or a church service without a disturbance,” she says.
An autism diagnosis is a necessary first step in the process for services to be covered by insurance.
“We require a minimum of 10 hours a week up to 35 hours of services,” Dr. Gongola says. “Children come to us throughout the day, or, depending on their schedule, in the evenings. We go to homes, school, restaurants, church, or any environment where support is needed.”
Proactive Behavior Services is now hiring individuals to join their team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) and Behavior Technicians (BT).
“We pay for your training and as you prepare for your exam you’re receiving hands-on experience as a (Behavior Technician),” Jennifer Loudon, Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA, says. “We have a very cohesive team culture here. We work together and bounce ideas off each other for how to get the best results for every child.”
Dr. Gongola and Dr. Loudon have instituted a positive behavior support system where every staff member accrues points that they in turn distribute to others for positive behaviors.
“We’ve developed a culture of positivity here,” says Dr. Loudon. “This system is just one way we foster that. Staff members bank their points then cash them in for swag, gift cards and more. We’re very aware that this is a job of significant needs and team members can become strained, even deflated. Our goal is to always keep things positive, moving forward and lean on each other. Let’s work as a team and figure it out. Today wasn’t great, but tomorrow will always be better.”
Dr. Gongola and Dr. Loudon want prospective new employees to know that they are building a culture of trust at Proactive Behavior Services.
“Every team member here understands the significant needs of our children and their families,” Dr. Gongola says. “That’s why I started this clinic. I wanted to be able to form a team of people dedicated to those needs who could spend the amount of time necessary to make real and significant changes for these children and their families. This is not a cookie-cutter approach for clients or for our team. Come join us and see how we’re making a difference, what sets us apart and how we continue to move in a positive direction—one child at a time.”
Proactive Behavior Services is located at 12573 Chillicothe Road, in Chesterland. For information call 216-554-4541 or check the website ProactiveBehaviorServices.com and fill out the “Contact Our Team” form to send a message or the “Join Our Team” form for interest in open positions.