ABA Therapy

If you’re the parent of a child with Autism, you’ve probably heard about ABA therapy. Maybe it was suggested by a pediatrician, a school or a neighbor. Google shows both good and bad reviews of ABA which can be worrisome to a parent first navigating this field. Are you worried that maybe ABA isn’t right for your family? It might not, but we’ll take a deeper look into what ABA is and what NBN has to offer.

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a research-backed approach that helps children with Autism and other deficits build important skills. It can also reduce challenging behaviors or increase behaviors such as being independent. ABA programs are tailored to the child’s specific needs, meaning it is an individualized program that works in your home using your routine, beliefs and culture.

Goals we can work on include learning to communicate, making food, or brushing their teeth independently. The goal of ABA is success and independence.

What is the Process for ABA therapy?

ABA might sound complicated and scary, but our team at NBN can make the approach easy. Here’s a simple look at how it works:

1. Making the phone call- Our friendly and courteous case managers will take the referral and guide you with what paperwork is needed to open a case. The documents needed are CDE’s or a script from a licensed professional.
2. Assessment: Next, the case is assigned to a BCBA, BCaBA or Tech 1 and we learn the child’s strengths, challenges, and current skills. This includes observations, parent input, and standardized assessment tools.
   • For example: Does your child struggle with requesting for wants/needs? Are there particular situations or people that can trigger behavior?
3. Setting Goals: We create clear, achievable goals based on your child’s needs. These might include improving communication, social interactions, or self-help skills.
   • For example: Helping your child say, “I’m hungry,” instead of crying or throwing items. Sometimes it can feel like a guessing game.
4. Teaching Strategies: ABA uses a few key techniques to teach new skills:
   • Positive Reinforcement: When your child engages in the desirable behavior, they’re rewarded with something meaningful to them (praise, a toy, or a fun activity).
   • Prompting: If your child needs additional support, we guide them through the task and gradually reduce the support as the skill is learned.
   • Shaping: Breaking down a complex task into smaller steps and reinforcing progress along the way.
5. Tracking Progress: data is collected during all sessions. The data is analyzed to see if improvements are being made. If not, we sit together as a team to figure out barriers.
6. Parent Involvement: Parents are an essential part. Our goal during parent training is to teach techniques used in therapy, which you can utilize at home to help with success.

Addressing Concerns About ABA?

You might have heard many opinions about ABA. Many parents believe ABA can be harsh or it’s been compared to training a dog.

• Positive Reinforcement: ABA focuses on encouragement and rewards, not punitive measures.
• Your Voice Matters: We respect your child’s preferences as well as the families.
• Strengths: ABA builds on strengths and helping areas they need support.

If you have concerns or questions, please ask! NBN staff will listen and work with you to ensure the approach aligns with your values and your child’s needs.

How Can ABA Therapy Help Your Child?

ABA can be life-changing for a child because it targets skills that are viable in everyday situations. Some examples include:

• Communication: Teaching your child how to ask for what they need, adaptive protest and becoming advocates for themselves.
• Social Skills: Helping your child engage with peers, sharing, taking turns, or learning rules to board games and conversational volleys.
• Daily Living Skills: Supporting independence in tasks like eating, dressing, showring, making food and potty training.
• Behavior Management: Helping your child handle frustration, coping skills, reduce maladaptive behaviors, such as aggression, property destruction or elopement.

Don’t Feel Alone

“It takes a village” is a statement we truly value and use in our approach. Deciding on ABA therapy for your child is a deeply personal decision. ABA has helped many children with Autism, and it could be a valuable resource for your child, too. Parenting a child with Autism comes with joys and challenges, which you don’t have to face alone.

Explore more of NBN blogs for tips, resources, and encouragement. Together, we can help your child achieve success.