“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”
~Brene’ Brown, Ph.D.
Foundational Understandings
Through healthy connections with others, our lives form meaning. In order for connection to occur, we must have an environment in which we can be authentic with ourselves and others. With authenticity, we must be allowed a degree of autonomy and feel competent within our social setting. These foundations set the stage for instrinsic motivation. Motivation is an essential component of ABA.
NNC maintains the belief that applied behavior analysis is scientifically shown to be an effective teaching strategy. This is backed by decades of research. While we hold to this truth, we also believe communication, collaboration, and understanding of other professions and autistic individuals, is crucial to understanding the vast world of autism. Through understanding, neurotypical and non-neurotypical populations can build better connections with one another.
Below are links to other experts from disciplines that have studied self-determination, connection, trauma, and insight into the brain.
Please click on the links below to learn more.
While we reserve the right to disagree with any of the people or establishments listed above, we resonate with their overall conceptual theories.
Through understandings and experience gained within the field of ABA, trauma, and compassion towards the families and children we work with, we’ve found the need for connection and motivation to be an underlying and essential need, which coincides with the findings from the professionals above.