The TCI Programs

TCI Classroom

At The Children’s Institute of Hong Kong We look forward to providing learners the most comprehensive Applied Behavior Analytic approach to education. TCI is a 12-month full time program for children from 3-11 years of age. In our interdisciplinary school model, learners receive special instruction ABA interventions in combination with individualized therapeutic services.

Research has demonstrated that (ABA) is the safest and most effective treatment for students with special education needs. ABA is widely recognized by educators and professionals as the only intervention leading to comprehensive, lasting improvements in the lives of individuals with special education needs. This approach has been endorsed by a number of agencies in the United States, such as the Department of Defense, the US Surgeon General, and the New York State Department of Health.

Applied Behavior Analysis provides us with:

• An assessment of socially significant behaviors and skill deficits
• Learner driven motivational systems and positive reinforcement
• A design for individualized curriculum.

How ABA works

• Skills are broken down into steps based on a given student’s performance
• Behaviors are considered for their own right and are defined carefully
• Each student skill is reinforced or corrected until components of each concept are learned.
• More than 200 various instructional tactics are used to ensure learning. “The student is always right” – Fred S. Keller
• Learning is the responsibility of TCI. “If the student cannot learn the way we are teaching, then we must teach in the way the student can learn” – Ivar O. Lovaas
• Methods used are scientific and based on research literature
• All instructional decisions are first parent driven, then student driven.
• Students are in the center stage in the classroom.
• The program merges Learn Units (Greer, 2002). Group Instruction, & Natural Environment Training
• Inclusion and mainstreaming is a systematic goal-oriented process.
• Because of the challenges presented by developmental delays, we believe that time is of the essence and every moment is an opportunity to learn.

Our Curricula

The components of the curricula are

1. Academic (i.e. reading, math, language arts, writing)
2. Social Skills (i.e. attention to task, cooperative play, conversation units)
3. Verbal behavior (i.e. communicative behavior, joint attention and perspective taking)
4. Self-management (i.e. functional daily-living skills)
5. Community of Reinforcers, an expanded community of interests (i.e. appropriate play behaviors and interest in age appropriate leisure activities)

At TCI

• Curriculum is always individualized and adapted depending on skill levels of students.
• The Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS-R, 2006) is conducted annually to function as a springboard for individualized curriculum development and to share progress with parents
• Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans are conducted, as needed, by full time Board Certified Behavior Analysts

TCI serves children and their families using evidence-based and state of the art treatments derived from the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This is made possible, but not limited to the following four factors:

1. Learning objectives are met through special instruction using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)1 in a one to one student to teacher ratio and group formats.
2. TCI’s relationship and close proximity to THS provides our students with opportunities to learn in a general education setting with their TCI trained ABA teacher “shadow”, when appropriate.
3. Professional staff are trained and supervised in-house by full time Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and accountability systems are in place to ensure that instruction is both effective and efficient, and
4. A close working relationship with our families ensures that they are supported while accepting training and guidance from the TCI administration and teachers. Our families participate in a comprehensive five-point system, termed our “Helping Hand”