Throughout my career, the idea of writing a skill acquisition curriculum has surfaced many times. Sometimes it was a personal professional milestone I wanted to achieve; other times, it was an organizational need. Regardless of the "why," I have always approached the "how" with a deep respect for the sheer magnitude of the task. When done correctly, a well-written curriculum is often the result of years of continuous effort, testing, research, and iteration.
The Evolution
When the conversation arose during my first six months as Chief Clinical Officer at Mindcolor, I found myself energized by the idea. I was backed by more experience and supported by co-founders who are exceptionally innovative and encouraging of tools that improve our services while making our clinicians’ workflows more efficient. After several brainstorming sessions, I committed to a "mini-curriculum." This “mini curriculum” serves as a robust starting point with the potential to evolve alongside our clients’ needs and our team’s growth. Thus, the “Skill Builder Packs” were born.
A Data-Driven Development Process
My process for development was simple and aligned with my clinical roots: I started with the data. To ensure these resources would be practical and relevant, I conducted a needs assessment survey with our Mindcolor BCBAs to identify the specific hurdles they face in skill acquisition programming. The results were a clear call for synthesis of research into useable programming, for standardization, and for efficiency. Our Mindcolor BCBAs identified three primary challenges:
- Clarity for RBTs: The need to write programs that team members can understand and execute accurately without being overwhelmed.
- Clinical Efficiency: The struggle to find the time and resources to choose targets and write programs from scratch, and particularly to ensure skill acquisition programs align with modern literature on various topics.
- Consistent Procedures: The difficulty in deciding which teaching procedures to use and how to define effective prompting and error correction procedures based on current literature.
How We Built the Framework
To ensure every pack met the same high standard, I developed a 15-category template. This structure ensures that the information is organized and accessible. The packs cover everything from the Key Insights (the conceptual "why") to the Skill Builder Essentials (the "how"), including teaching procedures, decision-making processes, and common barriers. We even included “Customization Corner” and “Family in Focus” sections to ensure the programming is individualized and inclusive.
Launching the First Phase
Following the development of the framework, I identified a subset of pivotal early skills that are frequently underemphasized or difficult for clients to master. Through a synthesis of BCBA feedback, clinical data, and established research, I formalized the 'Core Six' packs. These serve as the foundation for the Skill Builder library, which officially launched—both as a curriculum and an interactive digital experience—in April 2026.
From Concept to Interactive Interface
While the content provided the clinical foundation, we knew that for these tools to be truly "tech-friendly," they needed a home that matched the pace of a busy clinic. To bring this vision to life, we developed the Mindcolor Skill Builder Hub.
This interactive website transforms the static curriculum into a dynamic resource. Clinicians can navigate the "Core Six" easily and they can quickly access the 15-category templates and clinical insights with just a few clicks. The interactive website also contains a decision tool to help them decide which skill builder packs are a good fit for their clients, a clinical progression map, and a glossary of helpful terminology. Bringing these resources into a digital hub means our BCBAs don't have to hunt for the right template. The guidance they need is already there, integrated into their workday.
Conclusion
At its heart, the Skill Builder Packs and the Mindcolor Skill Builder Hub website are about empowering our clinicians to do what they do best. By reducing the administrative burden of searching the literature, interpreting best practice, and program writing, we are ensuring that every Mindcolor client receives the highest quality of evidence-based care. The Skill Builder Hub website is the beginning of our "mini-curriculum," and I look forward to growing it as we continue to innovate and support our incredible team of BCBAs.
Author: Amber Valentino, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Chief Clinical Officer at Mindcolor Autism