Therapy FAQ

The Role of ABA Therapy in Empowering Autistic Children and Their Families

From communication barriers to social difficulties and a slew of problematic behaviors, parenting a child on the autism spectrum poses a distinct challenge. Due to learning challenges, children with autism have problems learning simple tasks. Therefore, even the most effortless daily activities can prove overwhelming.  However, that’s not to say that autistic children can’t learn […]

Author Generic Image By Therese de Liz, LMHC
Male therapists observes child.

Updated on May 21, 2024

From communication barriers to social difficulties and a slew of problematic behaviors, parenting a child on the autism spectrum poses a distinct challenge. Due to learning challenges, children with autism have problems learning simple tasks. Therefore, even the most effortless daily activities can prove overwhelming. 

However, that’s not to say that autistic children can’t learn — they’re perfectly capable of learning — but at a much slower rate. Enrolling a child with autism in applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy helps improve their quality of life. 

ABA therapy uses an evidence-based approach to help children with autism and their parents or caregivers thrive. It provides them with the tools, strategies, and skills to navigate autism’s complexities.  

What is ABA Therapy?

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps modify human behavior. It uses positive reinforcement to incentivize people to learn new skills and adopt new behaviors. Board certified behavioral analysts (BCBA) mainly use ABA therapy to help children with autism improve specific skills while reducing problematic behaviors.

ABA therapy modalities use behaviorism principles such as operant conditioning to guide an individual’s actions and behavior. Therapy entails implementing strategies that help promote skill development and positive behavioral change.

The modality dates back to the 1960s when mental health professionals used it to treat mental health conditions such as developmental disabilities and schizophrenia.

Later, the approach was adapted for autism treatment based on the premise that applying rewards and consequences can help patients with autism learn new skills. Therapists used the system to ingrain behavioral and social skills while extinguishing other behaviors.

Since then, ABA treatment has proven effective in helping clients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) improve their quality of life. Today, many types of ABA therapy have emerged and primarily focus on treating autism and other mental health problems.

The ABA Therapy Process

ABA therapy uses a systemic approach to help clients with autism and other mental health conditions learn new skills and behavior. The ABA therapy process is largely linear and comprises different steps, including:  

Periodic monitoring enables therapists to refine treatment strategies alongside a child’s evolving needs to accelerate progress and ensure positive therapeutic outcomes.

Types of ABA Therapy

ABA therapists use various types of ABA therapy to help children with autism work towards improving their quality of life, including:

Discrete Trial Training

Discrete Trial Training (DTT) systematically breaks down skills into smaller achievable steps. A therapist then uses a step-by-step method to teach the child the new behavior. The teaching process employs a cue-and-response structure to drive learning. A child will practice each step several times during the therapy session. 

The therapist rewards the child for performing the task successfully or giving a correct response. If the child responds incorrectly, the therapist may repeat the question or provide an instructional prompt. Typically, the therapist will sit across from the child at a table during a DTT session, which makes it easier to analyze behavior. 

Incidental Training

Also known as natural environmental training (NET), incidental teaching seeks to help a child learn new skills in the context of their daily life. Unlike DTT, incident training is child-led and happens in the child’s natural environment, such as home or school. The therapist uses a child’s interest to create learning opportunities while engaging them in meaningful activities.

An ABA therapist may use naturalistic teaching to target skills like language and communication skills, play skills, and social interaction. Focusing on the learner’s motivation creates engaging learning experiences, accelerating skill acquisition and generalization.

Pivotal Response Treatment

Pivotal response treatment (PRT) uses a play-based format to help a child with autism learn general skills such as initiating conversations or taking turns. Such skills are pivotal since they allow the child to learn other crucial social behaviors and tasks. Mastering a pivotal skill may lead to noticeable behavioral changes that improve their quality of life. 

For instance, a child with autism may become more attentive in class and learn to follow directions. A therapist will observe the child as they play, looking for opportunities to teach pivotal skills. Unlike DTT, which often uses candy or stickers, pivotal response training uses intangible or context-based rewards.

The Early Start Denver Model 

The early start Denver model (ESDM) is among the newest ADA therapy modalities. It combines ABA principles with other relationship and development-based approaches. The early intervention program focuses on autistic children between 12 and 48 months.

Unlike DTT, which teaches one skill at a time, ESDM uses a naturalistic, play-based approach to teach multiple skills. For instance, an ESDM therapist may ask a child to put a block in a closed box. Consequently, the child may learn about shapes while practicing fine motor skills.  

By taking advantage of the brain’s plasticity and rapid development, ESDM is quite efficient and often leads to positive outcomes. Young children with ASD show marked improvements in language skills, social communication, and developmental milestones.

Focused ABA Therapy

Focused ABA therapy seeks to help a child learn specific behaviors or address a defined area of concern. Therapists lean towards this approach when the child only needs to learn a few chosen skills. Alternatively, a therapist may use it to address an acute behavioral problem that must be prioritized. Since it focuses intensely on select functional skills, Focused ABA therapy may drive noticeable behavioral change. It’s an excellent way to quickly address skills deficits or challenging behaviors.

Comprehensive ABA Therapy

Comprehensive ABA therapy is among the most intensive therapeutic modalities for autism. Each treatment session may last several hours daily for weeks, months, or even years. ABA therapists use this approach to address multiple developmental challenges and teach new skills. Treatment starts with one-on-one ABA sessions and gradually transitions to group activities and naturalistic learning. Parental participation is necessary when using this treatment modality. Popular comprehensive ABA-based methods include early intensive behavioral interventions (EIBI) and verbal behavioral approaches (ABA-VB).  

Common ABA Techniques

ABA therapists use various behavioral therapy techniques to help children with autism learn and grow, including:

Your child’s therapist will likely handpick a few techniques and use them to create a custom treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs or a specific goal. 

Benefits of ABA Therapy

As an evidence-based approach, ABA therapy confers numerous benefits to children with autism and individuals with developmental challenges. Benefits of an ABA program include:

ABA therapy helps children with autism improve their academic skills. It also enables them to engage in meaningful social interaction, build relationships, and engage with peers.

Who May Benefit from ABA Therapy?

While therapists primarily use ABA therapy to treat children with ASD, the modality helps treat other conditions including:

Both children and adults with developmental disorders may benefit from attending ABA therapy as it’s grounded in behaviorism.  

Choosing the Best ABA Therapy Techniques for Your Child

Naturally, parents want the best outcome when enrolling a child with autism in ABA therapy. Therefore, you may feel the pressure to know which ABA therapy techniques you will use and if they’ll deliver the best outcome for your child.

Luckily, ABA therapy is collaborative. Your child’s therapist will assess your child and work with you to create a custom treatment plan. Your therapist will use your child’s unique needs and situation. Typically, the ABA therapy techniques the therapist uses during the initial therapy sessions will quickly give way as your child progresses.

You’ll work with your child’s therapist to identify the best techniques and which ones you may consider later. An ABA therapist will help you understand what each method entails and which best suits your child’s needs. More importantly, they advise which techniques to avoid based on your child’s cognitive abilities and behaviors.

Let Your Child Lead a Quality Life

Enrolling your child in ABA therapy gives an autistic child a chance at leading a happy and fulfilling life. Its systematic approach allows children with autism to learn new skills and behaviors as they work to become socially adept, self-reliant, and independent. Your autistic child can easily communicate their needs, making parenting easier and more rewarding.

Grow Therapy can help connect you with a registered behavior technician in your state and enroll your child in ABA therapy. You can opt for an online or in-person session and schedule a session within two days.

FAQs

  • Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a form of therapy treatment used to help children with autism learn new skills and positive behavior while shedding problematic behaviors such as tantrums and self-harm.

  • The primary goal of ABA therapy is to help individuals with developmental challenges improve their quality of life. The therapy modality uses proven approaches to teach and reinforce skills that promote self-reliance and independence.

  • ABA therapy techniques include errorless teaching, generalization, behavioral contracts, behavioral chains, and video modeling.

About the author
Author Generic Image Therese de Liz, LMHC

Therese De Liz is a licensed mental health counselor with 17 years of experience treating patients using psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral methods and has received specialized training on OCD and ERP (Exposure-Response-Prevention therapy). She specializes in treating anxiety, depression, transition, acculturation difficulties, and culture shock for young adults, families, and individuals. Therese offers international online counseling for communities in Florida and the European Union.

This article is not meant to be a replacement for medical advice. We recommend speaking with a therapist for personalized information about your mental health. If you don’t currently have a therapist, we can connect you with one who can offer support and address any questions or concerns. If you or your child is experiencing a medical emergency, is considering harming themselves or others, or is otherwise in imminent danger, you should dial 9-1-1 and/or go to the nearest emergency room.

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