WELCOME TO MALUHIA ABA LLC

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MALUHIA ABA STORY

We are 100% locally owned, grown and operated. Our owner and founder was born and raised right here in Hilo, Hawaii. Kristen Okano-Dalere graduated from Waiakea High School, attended University of Hawaii at Manoa, and earned a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education, Master’s in Curriculum Studies, and a Post-Bachelorette in Special Education for Moderate to Severe Disabilities. Kristen is now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Hawaii.

Maluhia ABA was opened in 2019 as a mission to provide a well needed service to the children and families of Hawaii Island. Our team consists of the best, carefully chosen individuals that live and believe in change, positivity, and love. These superheroes change lives and give their clients the skills to live fulling lives.
At Maluhia ABA, we’re proud to provide a caring and safe environment for our clients and their ohana. We provide opportunities for clients and families to learn the skills needed to provide the best quality of life. We strive to teach communication, socialization, and daily living skills in all settings including clinic, community, and home settings.

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WHAT IS APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA)?

Applied Behavior Analyst (ABA) is a therapy that aims to reduce maladaptive behaviors while building skills in the areas of socialization, communication, and daily living skills.

According to the Center for Autism, ABA helps clients with Autism improve social interactions, learn new skills, and maintain positive behaviors. ABA also helps transfer skills and behavior from one situation to another, controlling situations where negative behaviors arise and minimizing negative behaviors. With Autism, ABA is most successful when intensely applied for more than 20 hours a week and prior to the age of 4. ABA can also help aging adults cope with the losses that come with age, like memory, strength, and relationships. For young and old, ABA can help individuals manage some of the lifestyle challenges that accompany many mental and physical health conditions.

ABA is currently covered by both commercial and quest insurance for individuals who are have been diagnosed with autism.

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OUR PROGRAMS

Client Centered

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CLINIC SETTING

We provide a fun, safe, and enriching environment for children to learn and develop communication, social, and daily living skills. We encourage social group settings to promote and generalize behaviors and skills.

HOME BASED

Home sessions are used to generalize appropriate behaviors with family members. Clients build daily living skills including personal hygiene, housekeeping, and meal prep. We work with families to give them the skills needed to be successful with generalizing skills and behavior learned in ABA.

COMMUNITY BASED

We believe that community based sessions are a critical part in helping the client to generalize skills and be an active member of their community. We use a variety of community based settings to teach and foster various skills. Sessions are held at the beaches, library, mall, park, fitness gym, and internship sites.

PRIVATE SCHOOL

If your child attends private preschool or private school, we can work with that school to provide individualized client support in the areas of behavior, social, communication and adaptive skills.