When it comes to supporting children with autism, every child deserves care that’s personalized, flexible, and rooted in respect. That’s what makes Skills-Based Treatment (SBT) different. At Mariposa Autism Service Center (MASC) in Southern New Mexico, SBT helps children build meaningful life skills through positive reinforcement and collaboration — while making sure they always have a voice in the process.
What Is Skills-Based Treatment (SBT)?
SBT, or Skills-Based Treatment, is a structured yet flexible approach to helping individuals reduce challenging behaviors and develop essential skills for daily life. Unlike traditional methods that focus only on behavior reduction, SBT emphasizes teaching meaningful replacement skills — such as communication, cooperation, and emotional regulation — in a compassionate and supportive way.
SBT is guided by three core principles:
- Individualized support: Therapy is tailored to each person’s unique needs and strengths.
- Positive reinforcement: Progress is encouraged through recognition, praise, and motivation, never punishment.
- Assent-based care: Children are active participants in their therapy. They understand what’s happening and have the right to say “no.”
How SBT Works at MASC
Our team at MASC integrates SBT across home, school, and community settings to create consistent, real-world progress.
- Home
- Therapists work closely with caregivers to design strategies that build on family strengths. Sessions focus on reinforcing positive behaviors in familiar routines, helping children and families succeed together.
- School
- We collaborate with educators to apply SBT in classrooms, ensuring that learning is supported through strength-based accommodations and active student involvement.
- Community
- Children practice new skills in everyday environments, from playgrounds to grocery stores, with encouragement from our team. This helps reinforce independence, confidence, and adaptability across settings.
A Team Approach to Every Case
At MASC, SBT is never a one-person effort. Each case benefits from:
- Bi-weekly clinical consultations where therapists and BCBAs collaborate and troubleshoot challenges
- Dual BCBA support, ensuring multiple professional perspectives guide every treatment plan
- Ongoing consultation with FTF Behavioral Consulting (the originators of the SBT model) for advanced guidance and training
This model ensures every child receives the highest standard of care — rooted in evidence, compassion, and teamwork.
Why Families Choose SBT at MASC
Families across Southern New Mexico choose MASC for SBT because it offers:
- Respectful, assent-based therapy that values every child’s voice
- Focus on real-life skills that improve daily routines and relationships
- Consistency across environments, from home to school to the community
- Highly trained clinicians, many holding advanced SBT credentials
Our therapists pursue professional growth through a structured SBT Level system, ranging from foundational knowledge to advanced consultation — ensuring that your child’s care is always guided by experts who believe in continuous learning.
Is SBT Right for Your Child?
SBT may be especially helpful if your child:
- Experiences frequent frustration or behavioral challenges
- Struggles to communicate needs or emotions
- Needs support generalizing skills between home and school
- Benefits from a calm, collaborative approach to learning new behaviors
Whether your child needs minimal support or more intensive care, our team can help you understand how SBT fits into your family’s goals.
Additional Resources
Starting SBT at Mariposa Autism Service Center
If you’re curious about Skills-Based Treatment and how it can help your child, we’re here to guide you. Call (575) 652-3155 or visit aitkids.com/masc to learn more about SBT and our compassionate, family-centered autism therapy programs across Southern New Mexico.
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