One of the most common interventions that parents of children with autism use to manage their symptoms is comprehensive ABA. By focusing on a child’s behaviors and using positive reinforcement, parents and therapists can use ABA to help a child with autism understand their behavior and develop positive habits. It’s important to be compassionate and empathetic when using ABA, which is why it’s beneficial to learn about it before deciding whether it’s right for your child. Here’s a bit more information about ABA, including how to determine whether it’s the best idea for you.
What is ABA?
ABA therapy is a type of intervention that aims to teach new skills and positive behaviors to children with autism. This typically involves monitoring a child’s behavior and offering rewards when the child repeats behaviors the therapist or parent is trying to teach them. For example, the discrete trial teaching type of ABA therapy works by breaking down larger lessons into individual tasks that a child gets rewarded for, using a cue-and-response format. Here are a few other types of ABA therapy:
- Naturalistic teaching: This strategy gives the student the power to set their own pace throughout the day, with the therapist or parent offering interventions that fit naturally into their existing routines.
- Pivotal response training: During this strategy, the child takes the lead and the teacher provides different responses for them to try to help set social structures and self-regulate.
- Token economy: The token economy strategy involves designating a token that’s given or removed based on the behavior a child exhibits to reinforce positive behaviors.
How is ABA Helpful for Children with Autism?
ABA can be helpful for children with autism in many cases. When ABA rewards children regularly for engaging in new, positive behaviors, it allows them to integrate them into their everyday lives. This can result in better skills development, improved social interactions, and an enhanced understanding of the world around them and the ways they fit into it.
How can parents determine if ABA is right for their child?
There’s a lot to think about when determining whether ABA is right for your child and how to choose an ABA provider. First, observe your child’s behavior and responses to positive reinforcement to gauge whether they’ll respond positively to ABA. Then, meet with a doctor or ABA provider to evaluate whether it will be the right choice.
It’s crucial to remember that focusing on negative reinforcement in ABA can be detrimental to a child’s development, so if your child is especially sensitive to feedback or direction, it may not be for them. However, if ABA does seem like the right choice for your child, it can help them reach their full potential by giving them insight into new behaviors and allowing them to practice them to engrain them into their regular routines and behaviors.
This has been an overview of ABA and the ways it can be helpful for children with autism. By engaging in ABA thoughtfully and reinforcing positive behaviors, a parent can support their child throughout their development and help them unlock their full potential. Speak with your child’s doctor or therapist to learn more about ABA and whether it’s the right choice for you and your child.