Collecting and analyzing data is imperative in order to accurately measure a child's progress, evaluate the effectiveness of the child's treatment program, and to identify skills and/or behaviors that need to be taught. There are a variety of data collection methods such as continuous data procedures and time sampling procedures that yield reliable, accurate, and valid data. The staff at Peace By Piece use a variety of data collection methods to measure progress. Some of these include probe data, time sampling recording procedures, ABC recording trial and by trial data probes.
Ongoing treatment evaluation is made possible by keeping all treatment and intervention data-based. Data-based treatment allows therapists, supervisors, and parents to directly observe daily performance and collect data that provide feedback regarding treatment effectiveness and child progress. On the basis of this data, individualized programs should be revised as needed to allow the child’s continued progress. Treatment goals should always be divided into behavioral units. At Peace By Piece behavioral units are charted and graphed. Mastery criteria is set for each behavioral unit. The behavioral unit is targeted until the pre-determined mastery criteria are accomplished. Progress is determined and measured by the data collected at Peace By Piece. As long as the child is maintaining skills at 40-60% and gaining any new skills at 80-100%, he/she shall be determined to be making adequate progress. Some children will have exceptions to this and this will be discussed with the parent. At any time, if the parent feels that the child is not progressing, Peace By Piece encourages parents to address their concerns with Dr. Terrasi directly.