What is ABA Therapy?
When your child is diagnosed with autism, you are presented with numerous therapy options, one of which is ABA Therapy. Typically a child is recommended to participate in ABA therapy for 10 to 20 hours per week, sometimes up to 40. As this therapy is a significant family commitment, it is important to know the in’s and out’s prior to beginning treatment.
How Does ABA Work?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a mode of therapy in which behavior is modified using positive reinforcement. A therapist will set goals for a skill or behavior for the child and use a rewards and consequence system to help them achieve it.
It is a data driven approach, and is based on the belief that every behavior serves a purpose, and with that knowledge behavior can be modified. Children are assessed for their skill level and development, and a plan will determine goals and objectives. An ABA therapist will work with the child to reach these goals, collecting data for every measurable behavior. Progress and goals are routinely reviewed to evaluate whether a skill or behavior has been learned or what work must still be done.
Once a target behavior has been identified, an ABC assessment will be conducted. ABC stands for:
- Antecedent – event that happens before child’s behavior
- Behavior – the child’s behavior
- Consequence – the event following the behavior (positive or negative)
For example, let’s say the goal was for a child to put their backpack in their cubby. The antecedent would be a therapist asking a child to put their backpack in their cubby. The behavior is when the child puts their backpack in its proper place. The consequence is that the therapist praises the child, “Excellent job listening and putting your backpack in your cubby, Tom!” In the same scenario, the behavior might be that the child ignores them, and the consequence is that the therapist repeats the request with direct eye contact.
Collecting data over the course of many instances of the same behavior allows the therapist to analyze patterns and determine which antecedent is most common for a desired behavior and seek to replicate that for repeated success.
In the case of a less desirable behavior, the consequence can be essential for replacing the behavior. For example, a therapist may seek to stop a child who keeps chewing on their pencil, which is a choking and safety hazard and therefore a dangerous behavior. An ABC might show that a common antecedent is the child tensing their body as they try to answer a difficult homework question, and the consequence is they become visibly relaxed and continue their work. The behavior is clearly a method of self-soothing, and if the child were simply forced to stop the behavior, this might lead to self-regulation difficulties. In this case, a safe behavior that can serve the same self-soothing purpose would need to be taught in its place, such as chewing gum.
What are the Benefits of ABA?
ABA is one of the most recommended therapies for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and for good reason. ABA therapy can improve social skills, teach independent life skills, and increase a child’s ability to focus, leading to fewer outbursts and potentially harmful behaviors.
There is also a parent education component that helps teach you as the parent how you can better understand your child’s needs and how to better prepare them for life going forward.
At the heart of ABA therapy is an appreciation of the unique gifts every child brings to the table while modifying certain behaviors in order to keep them safe and enhance communication skills. For example, children on the autism spectrum are often extremely empathetic but lack the ability to identify their complex emotions. In this instance, ABA therapy would work with the child to educate them on recognizing their own emotions as well as those of others.
What Should I Look for in an ABA Therapist or Therapy Program?
First, look for a clinical therapist with board certifications. They will have BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) after their name. Some therapists work under BCBAs to provide care to young people on the autism spectrum.
Second, ask the important questions about the program, staff, and insurance coverage. Start off with these:
- How many BCBAs do you have on staff, and if they work with therapists, how much ongoing supervision do the therapists receive from them?
- What is communication like between myself and the BCBA?
- Are staff required to go to trainings or professional workshops?
- What is your staff turnover?
- Do you offer parent trainings?
- Are staff background checks required?
- How is data collected and shared with parents?
- How many hours of therapy will my child receive, and what is the structure of sessions?
- How is it determined when/if therapy is no longer necessary?
- What does insurance cover, and what are parents financially responsible for?
- Are there equipment charges or expenses parents need to be aware of?
ABA therapy is most recommended to parents of children with autism because it’s been proven to improve the quality of life of everyone involved time and time again. Many parents/caregivers who go through ABA therapy will watch their child grow in ways they never thought possible. ABA therapy enables you to raise the bar, recognize your child’s full potential, and prepare them for a successful life.
Sources: