Best Practices Behavior and Occupational Therapy, PLLC was established in 2019 by Dustin and Taffta Thornburgh. This husband and wife team set to go beyond the work they had done in school districts for over 12 years. Moving away from public schools allowed BPBOT to focus on what matters most – delivering evidence-based treatments to children with disabilities, thereby improving quality of life, helping them gain independence, and allowing them to reach their potential for an ultimately fulfilling life. At Best Practices, you will be working with a community-based small business – the client will not be working with Registered Behavior Technicians or OT assistants, they will be working directly with the owners.
MISSION STATEMENT
Every person deserves the promise of being fully included in society. Bonding with parents and siblings, making connections with peers at school, learning to their full potential, and eventually graduating, pursuing a career, and finding a partner to start his or her family.
At Best Practices, we strive to help clients and their families build skills and overcome obstacles so they can reach their potential for a full and happy life.
VISION STATEMENT
A collaborative team approach is essential for sustainable long term development. We recognize the importance of developing appropriate behavior, physical, or sensory skills with a therapist, but also include parents, caregivers and siblings as a key component to any successful plan. Consistency in teaching and reinforcing newly acquired skills promotes rapid and sustainable progress.
Ultimately, as therapists, the goal is to work ourselves out of a job, and the most rewarding experience is when our clients no longer have a need for services.
WHO WE ARE
Dustin Thornburgh
Board Certified Behavior Analyst #1-07-3956
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Dustin began working with children with autism in 2000, after he graduated from UCLA with a degree in Psychology. Working in homes and schools as a behavior consultant, he provided direct treatment to children displaying severe behavioral challenges. In 2007, Dustin graduated from California State University, Los Angeles with a Master’s of Science degree in school psychology and additional certifications in autism and applied behavior analysis. He subsequently passed the B.C.B.A. exam and has been a practicing behavior therapist and school psychologist for over 12 years. Dustin’s role as a leader in the public school setting expanded, and he represented his school district for several years at statewide intervention groups such as the Positive Environment Network of Trainers (PENT) and the California Autism Professional Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN) *parent resources from these organizations can be found under the RESOURCES tab. In addition, Dustin led trainings for paraeducators, teachers, and administrators on topics such as social skills, applied behavior analysis, and autism. He received certification to run the Program for Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS), an evidence-based practice for adolescents on the spectrum that addresses social skills. After moving from California to The Woodlands, Dustin worked as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) in local school districts, focusing on autism as well as the District’s most severely behaviorally challenged students.
Dustin Thornburgh’s approach to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) starts with the ability to connect with families and meet challenges head on with strategies that are effective and practical for parents.
Taffta Thornburgh, MA OTR/L
Occupational Therapist #119177
Taffta first became interested in child development after teaching afterschool and daycare motor activities to children of various ages in the Los Angeles area. She was then trained in behavior intervention to provide both school and in home and behavior services to children with special needs before enrolling in University of Southern California’s Masters of Arts in Occupational Therapy program. While at USC, Taffta was awarded a school-based practice grant and focused on pediatrics and the principals of Ayres Sensory Integration (SI). Upon graduating in 2006, Taffta began working as a school based OT for Los Angeles Unified School District serving children in over 85 schools in the Los Angeles area. Over the course of 12 years, Taffta provided school and home-based academic related occupational therapy to children 3-21 years of age. Additionally, she provided Ayres SI based intervention in a therapy room setting for children identified with deficits with sensory integration. Her interest in Ayres SI led her to advise her peers and instruct a course in assessing and addressing sensory integration in the school environment for fellow occupational therapists in the district. She found her training in behavior techniques and understanding of sensory processing helped her to better reach children with various disabilities. In addition to collaboration with school staff, Taffta felt most rewarded when working with parents to help better meet the needs of the children.
After moving to Texas, Taffta was able to focus on what was most effective and rewarding – providing home based treatments for families struggling and desperate for assistance. She finds that early intervention in the home setting provides significant long term outcomes for children with special needs.
BEST PRACTICES 