Questions? 866-352-5010
Questions? 866-352-5010
If you’ve come across mentions of ABA therapy helping kids with autism, you’re probably wondering about the details. What is ABA therapy, exactly? How can it help children? And is it a good fit for your child? Let’s dive in and explore the ins and outs of ABA therapy.
ABA therapy stands for applied behavior analysis, which is a form of autism therapy to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder improve independence and social skills. Each therapy session is uniquely tailored to each child to focus on their personal strengths, hone skills where they have deficiencies, and grow in their personal journey.
Your child’s ABA care team will consist of several different professional clinicians. First, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will assess your child’s medical history and create a personalized treatment plan.
The behavioral therapist will then be responsible for executing the treatment plan that the BCBA creates. The case manager that’s working with your child will keep records of your child’s progress and be available to answer any questions or concerns about the therapy your child receives.
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy offers numerous benefits, particularly for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It helps improve social skills by teaching appropriate interactions, enhances communication abilities—whether verbal or non-verbal—and aids in reducing challenging behaviors such as aggression or self-injury. Additionally, ABA supports the development of essential life skills like self-care, dressing, and hygiene, ultimately promoting greater independence and a higher quality of life.
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy is distinct from other therapies due to its structured, data-driven approach that focuses on modifying observable behaviors through reinforcement. It is highly individualized and involves intensive, one-on-one sessions, often targeting skills such as communication, social interactions, and daily living tasks. Unlike therapies like CBT, which focus more on cognitive patterns and emotional processing, ABA relies on careful observation and continuous data collection to assess and adjust interventions. This systematic and behavior-focused method makes ABA particularly effective for individuals with autism.
ABA therapy offers unique benefits to children with autism, but it’s essential to consider both its advantages and challenges.
Some of the positives of ABA therapy could include:
Some of the cons of ABA therapy could include:
To dive deeper into the pros and cons of ABA therapy, check out this blog post.
Applied ABC offers a variety of different services depending on the needs of patients and their guardians. We offer in-center therapy, in-home therapy, in-school services, and Social Skills Groups.
First, we gather the necessary information needed to submit your application to your insurance company. Once approved, we begin developing a unique treatment plan for your child with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. This plan also needs approval from your insurance provider, and on approval, we locate a local ABA therapist to begin delivering services.
ABA requires a significant time commitment, with some patients receiving up to 40 hours of therapy per week. During sessions, children will work toward improvement for many daily living skills by breaking down complex tasks into basic components.
When first suspecting that your child may have autism, you may visit a doctor who can use a screening tool to determine if your child should see a specialist for further evaluation. While this isn’t a referral, speaking to a doctor can help you understand if your child is on track developmentally.
Each child’s journey with autism is unique, and commitment to ABA therapy requires anywhere from 15-40 hours per week. Children may need years of therapy to reach their personal objectives.
A study by Kristen R. Choi, et al. determined that ABA therapy has the potential for improving communication skills, socialization, and reducing maladaptive behaviors. However, due to the varied nature of autism spectrum disorder diagnoses, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. Applied ABC has highlighted a few landmark successes in our Stories of Hope.
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