About Hickory Learning Group
At Hickory Learning Group, we are passionate about nurturing, empowering, and engaging our community through the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Our team is dedicated to providing meaningful, evidence-based support for individuals, families, educators, and professionals. Whether through direct ABA therapy, parent consultative services, RBT training, school collaboration, or organizational behavior management, we strive to create lasting positive change.
We believe in the power of learning, collaboration, and compassion to unlock potential and foster growth. By equipping families, educators, and future behavior analysts with the tools and knowledge to promote success, we are building a stronger, more inclusive community—one where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
Our Mission
Our mission at Hickory Learning Group is to empower individuals and families by applying the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to create meaningful, lasting change. We are committed to:
Nurturing future ABA professionals through comprehensive RBT training, supervision, and internship opportunities.
Empowering parents and caregivers with the skills to confidently manage behaviors, support learning, and promote independence.
Engaging our local community by collaborating with schools, therapy providers, and businesses to create inclusive and supportive environments.
Advancing the field of behavior analysis through ethical, evidence-based practices that prioritize compassion, dignity, and individualized care.
At Hickory Learning Group, we believe that growth happens through guidance, education, and meaningful support. Together, we can create stronger individuals, stronger families, and a stronger community.
Building Confident and Competent Families Through ABA
At Hickory Learning Group, our mission is to empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster lasting independence in their loved ones. Our approach prioritizes family involvement with the goal of equipping caregivers with the confidence and competence to implement Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) strategies effectively. Through this collaborative process, individuals can successfully transition out of direct ABA services and into a less restrictive, more independent environment.
Core Areas of Focus
Functional Communication
Functional communication is essential for individuals to express their needs, thoughts, and emotions effectively. Many challenging behaviors stem from difficulties in communication; therefore, we emphasize teaching alternative, functional communication strategies that serve the same purpose as the behavior while utilizing the most effective modality for the individual. By developing these skills, individuals can navigate their world with confidence while reducing the need for problem behavior.
Practical Socialization
Social skills are crucial for developing meaningful relationships and navigating daily interactions. We focus on two key principles:
Pro-social behaviors that encourage confidence, foster friendships, and promote positive interactions.
Social avoidance strategies that enable individuals to set boundaries and appropriately disengage from unwanted interactions.
By balancing these skills, individuals can engage socially in a way that aligns with their personal comfort and goals.
Daily Living Skills
Independence in daily routines is a cornerstone of success in home, school, and community settings. Our structured approach introduces and builds upon essential self-care, household management, and adaptive skills in a way that promotes self-sufficiency and self-esteem. By gradually increasing independence, individuals gain the skills necessary for greater autonomy and overall well-being.
Preferred Vocational Skill Training
Meaningful employment begins with identifying an individual’s interests and abilities. Rather than focusing solely on traditional vocational training, we prioritize two guiding questions:
What does the individual enjoy doing?
What skills can they confidently and willingly perform?
By aligning vocational training with personal preferences, we embed natural reinforcement into the work itself, fostering motivation, job satisfaction, and long-term success in employment.
Replacing Unsafe Behaviors
Challenging behaviors do not simply disappear—they must be replaced with functional, socially appropriate alternatives that serve the same purpose. Our approach focuses on identifying the underlying function of unsafe behaviors and systematically teaching and reinforcing replacement skills that allow individuals to achieve their goals in a safer, more effective manner. This shift opens doors for learning, social engagement, and greater independence.
Parent and Caregiver Collaboration
The foundation of long-term success lies in caregiver involvement and skill development. Our collaborative approach ensures that parents and caregivers are not just observers but active participants in their child’s progress. Through training, coaching, and hands-on practice, caregivers learn to apply ABA principles with confidence, supporting skill generalization and maintenance beyond therapy sessions. As families become more proficient in these strategies, the need for ongoing clinical intervention naturally fades, allowing individuals to thrive with the support of their caregivers in a more independent and enriching environment.
At Hickory Learning Group, we believe that ABA is not just about reducing behaviors—it’s about building a pathway to independence, confidence, and success for both individuals and their families. Through collaboration, education, and empowerment, we work together to create a future where every individual has the tools they need to lead a fulfilling and self-sufficient life.
The Foundation for Goal Selection: A Guiding Framework for Independence
At Hickory Learning Group, our approach to goal selection is rooted in a structured framework designed to foster long-term independence. Every skill we teach is chosen with intentionality, ensuring that it is not only meaningful but also taught in a way that aligns with the individual’s unique learning style. To achieve this, we focus on three essential questions when selecting goals across all domains of development:
1. What?
What specific behaviors will we teach to promote independence?
Before setting goals, we first determine the critical skills that will enhance autonomy in the individual’s daily life. These behaviors may include communication skills, social interactions, self-care, safety awareness, or vocational skills—each carefully selected to support meaningful progress toward greater self-sufficiency.
2. How?
How does the individual learn best, and how can we teach these skills effectively?
Every learner is unique, and understanding their learning style, strengths, and motivators is key to success. We tailor our teaching strategies using evidence-based ABA methods, such as discrete trial training, natural environment teaching, and behavior shaping to ensure the individual can acquire, retain, and generalize the targeted behaviors across different settings and situations.
3. Why?
Why is this behavior significant, and how does it impact the individual’s life?
A goal is only valuable if it has practical importance in the individual’s daily life. Each skill is selected with a purpose in mind, whether it enhances communication, promotes safety, increases social engagement, or improves overall quality of life. By identifying the real-world significance of each goal, we ensure that interventions are meaningful, functional, and aligned with the individual’s long-term success.
By consistently applying this What-How-Why framework, we ensure that each intervention is purpose-driven, effective, and designed to empower individuals on their journey toward independence. At Hickory Learning Group, our goal is not just to teach skills but to equip individuals with the tools they need to confidently navigate their world, reducing reliance on direct support and fostering lasting autonomy.
