Quality ABA Therapist
ABA Therapist Red Flags
When securing Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for your child with autism, it is important to find a therapist you can trust. We discussed the necessary qualifications of an ABA therapist in a recent blog post. But are there any red flags to look for during your child’s experience with ABA? Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure the best possible intervention for your child with autism.
Generalization and guarantees - If your therapist is offering one-size-fits-all therapy, this should be an immediate red flag. ABA therapy is intensely personalized. There is no way the same treatment plan will work for every individual. In a similar vein, if a potential therapist makes claims that any treatment plan is guaranteed to work, steer clear. No one can make these kinds of assurances.
Lack of documentation - A quality therapist should keep detailed records of your child and their progress. If data is not being collected and analyzed on a regular basis, there may be no evidence of progress and no information to guide decision-making.
Favoring punishment over positive reinforcement - One of ABA therapy’s hallmarks is its use of positive reinforcement to increase desired behaviors. This could be anything from a sticker or small toy to an enjoyable activity or even verbal praise. What’s not used in ABA is punishment in an attempt to decrease undesired behaviors.
Focusing on stopping negative behaviors - An experienced and trustworthy ABA therapist knows that to be successful, therapy must train a child in positive behaviors not just try to stop the negative. These positive behaviors are referred to as replacement behaviors.
Reluctance to work as a team - An ABA treatment plan is not created by just one person. Likewise, ABA therapy is not limited to one person or one place. The therapy process extends into the home, school, and all parts of the child’s life. Therefore the parents or guardians of a child with autism are a crucial member of the child’s treatment team. Therapists must work alongside families, training and helping caregivers so they can help their child outside of therapy sessions.
A good ABA therapist is undoubtedly a valuable resource. At the same time, a superior therapist will use parents as a resource as well, to monitor the child’s progress and to make collaborative decisions regarding therapy. Any therapist who is not willing to do this is displaying clear red flags.
Contact Positive Reinforcement today for in home ABA therapy servicing North Virginia, West Virginia including cities like Ashburn, Leesburg, Winchester, Richmond, Centerville.
