Applied behavior analysis therapy is one of the widely recognized approaches for supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders. If your kid’s therapist has also recommended it and you are confused, don’t worry. This blog aims to discuss applied behavior analysis in detail so you can navigate it with confidence.
What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a behavior-based therapy for people with developmental disorders. The goal of this therapy is to increase positive behaviors and reduce negative behaviors.
If your child has trouble interacting with others, has difficulty making eye contact, or has language development issues, you may want to consider applied behavior analysis therapy. It is based on reinforcing specific behaviors through a reward system to increase their frequency.
Some studies have shown that ABA therapy is extremely helpful before age 4, when delivered 20 hours a week. It also reduced the need for special services later in life.
What Happens During ABA Therapy?
Before your kid starts therapy, they will meet a BCBA who will assess their needs and ability level. After that, they will come up with an individual treatment plan with specific targets. Your child’s therapist will use different techniques based on their needs and the behavior they want to target.
Important ABA Methodologies
BCBAs can use several techniques when implementing ABA therapy. Some common strategies include reinforcement, prompting, and improving communication.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
Discrete Trial Training is essentially a method of teaching. Early ABA programs often used this technique alone to teach. However, now it has evolved. In this method, a healthcare provider leads your child one-on-one through a series of highly structured tasks.
In the past, therapists would use punishment for bad or incorrect behaviors. However, it is no longer acceptable in DTT therapy.
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)
It is less structured than DTT and focuses on play and other activities that are a part of the child’s life. This method includes using the child’s interests and attention to guide their learning.
With PRT, the therapist usually follows what your child wants to do. They don’t start an activity unless the child engages with something.
PRT also uses natural forms of reinforcement instead of rewards like candy. For instance, if a child working with a stack of blocks wants to knock them down, they can do that as a reward.
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
This method uses the child’s favorite play-based activities, but also incorporates traditional forms of ABA, such as DTT, when necessary.
In this method, one activity has multiple goals. For instance, if the therapist wants your child to learn about the triangle shape, they will ask the child to pick out a triangle puzzle piece and, at the same time, require them to fit it into the puzzle to work on their fine motor skills.
Potential Benefits of ABA Therapy
ABA has many potential benefits, as outlined below.
- ABA has widespread use, meaning it can be used for various health conditions, including autism.
- Your child gets a complete, personalized plan designed to their needs and abilities.
- There are many studies that have shown positive outcomes of ABA.
- You can use some strategies at home to measure your child’s developmental progress.