All About ABA Therapy

While there is no cure for autism, there are treatments like ABA therapy that can be used to help individuals with autism learn to better navigate their world. Applied Behavior Analysis therapy is one of the most widely recognized and utilized therapies for autism. Maybe you’ve been wondering what exactly that entails and whether or not it may be beneficial to your child.

ABA therapy is used with children of all ages. It is highly individualized and goal-oriented. The primary goals of ABA therapy can generally be divided into three major categories:

1. Decrease negative behaviors (such as self-harm or tantrums)
2. Strengthen existing core skills (including communication, literacy, academics, etc.)
3. Develop adaptive skills (these are practical everyday skills like getting dressed, grooming, safety, and social skills)

In addition to varying from individual to individual, ABA therapy may look different from session to session. However, therapy will follow a predictable framework that begins with one or more goals as described above. Therapy can also be sure to include:

●    Instruction - When teaching a new skill, therapists break larger skills down into their individual steps and teach each step explicitly and to mastery.

●    Reinforcement - Desired behaviors are frequently and consistently reinforced with small, but meaningful rewards; rewards can include praise and tangible reinforcers like stickers or access to a favorite toy or activity.

●    Observation - As the therapist observes, he will make careful note of anything in particular that serves as an obstacle to the child. A child may be unable to complete a prompt due to any number of things, such as fatigue, hunger, or overstimulation.

●    Communication - All that the therapist observes serves to communicate valuable information about the child, and the therapist will communicate this with families so that they will be equipped to help their child outside of therapy.

To be most effective, ABA therapy will be repetitive, but therapists work hard to make it fun and enjoyable for the child. Therapy can also be quite time-intensive. It is common for children to require 20 or more hours of therapy per week. While these expenses add up quickly, therapy may be covered by your health insurance. In upcoming blog posts, we will explore more about the costs involved with this gold standard of therapy for individuals with autism.

Contact Positive Reinforcement today for ABA therapy servicing North Virginia, West Virginia including cities like Ashburn, Leesburg, Winchester, Richmond, Centerville.