Here at FBS, we understand that real behavior change is tough, and we are here to help you not only navigate your way through to socially acceptable behaviors, but to be by your side as you work to reach your goal.
Offering direct services, consultation services, caregiver training, and one-on-one training from a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, BCBA, supervised therapist, we have a level of service to meet your needs. To explore our services, click here.
Our unique summer program gives children direct instruction in community access, life skills, social skills and positive behavior supports. Each child participating will have an individualized Behavior Support Plan which will identify areas of need and methods of meeting those needs. To learn more, click here.
Specializing in children affected by neurological disorders, our Behavior Specialist, Kathleen Gilmore, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) and certified special education teacher in the state of Washington. She has worked with children, both neurotypical and those affected by a disability, since 1992. To learn more about Kathleen, her qualifications and her philosophy regarding behavior change, please visit our website.
A Letter from our Director:
Hello Friends and Families,
I have been working with children affected by neurological disorders as a certified teacher since 1992. My experiences range from severely affected children whose only voluntary movement was with their eyes to children in the genius IQ range with behavioral disorders. Teaching children to get their needs met appropriately, regardless of their ability, has become a passion for me.
After earning my Masters of Arts in Education in 2004, I focused on teaching children affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and have kept that focus since. Seeing the potential these children hold has pushed me to research the best ways to tap that potential. The one methodology that has consistently been proven year after year is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
ABA is a very individualized methodology that focuses on each child, what their needs are and how to get those needs met in socially acceptable ways. Whether that be a child who is biting a caregiver to escape tooth brushing learning how to request a break from the task with a gesture while learning to tolerate having their teeth brushed or a child who is cursing in class to gain the attention of their peers learning to get peer attention through comedy acts during recess, every behavior gets a need met and it can be replaced with a socially acceptable way to get that same need met. ABA always uses empirically based methods which focus on positive ways to reinforce positive behaviors.
After seeing the real, lasting benefits of ABA, I started to look for ways to get children here in the Walla Walla Valley access to ABA. Unfortunately, there were no Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) in the area. BCBAs are individuals who have completed 25 post masters degree credits through an accredited institution as well as completed 3,000 hours of supervised work in the field and passed a national board exam. To fill this void, I enrolled in a BCBA certification program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
In 2010, I completed the BCBA program and passed the exam in January, 2011 becoming the first BCBA in the Walla Walla Valley.
To further access to services, I have also become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate as some insurance companies in Washington state require a state license in addition to the national certification.
Now, forming this company, Functional Behavior Solutions, LLC, is the culmination of my efforts for the past 20 years to bring children the highest quality services and help each child reach their potential.
I believe that every child can learn, every child can find happiness and success. With the right supports and consistency in place, each child can reach their potential.
Sincerely,
Kathleen A. Gilmore, MEd, BCBA, LMHCA
So glad I found Kathleen’s services!