“ABA” stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is based on the science of learning and behavior. This science includes general rules on how behavior works and how children learn from interactions and experiences during development. ABA therapy applies these training rules in a way that helps to promote beneficial or desired outcomes. 

The team at Therapists 2 Go is comprised of highly compassionate, educated, and experienced professionals. Our one and only goal is to help children with their healthy development and provide families with the resources they need to succeed! ABA therapy is just one of the many early intervention therapy services that we offer. 

Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

ABA focuses on positive reinforcement strategies. It can help children who are having difficulty learning or acquiring new skills.

The ABC’s – Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence

There are three main principles that ABA therapy accounts for, antecedents ( which are what causes a behavior to occur) and consequences (what response follows that behavior).

Antecedent: this is what occurs right before the problematic behavior is exhibited. It can be verbal, such as a demand or a question. It can also be physical, such as a toy or object, or it can be an environmental factor like sound, light, etc.

Behavior: This is how the child reacts to the antecedent. It can be a verbal response or a physical reaction.

Consequence: this action follows the elicited behavior, and often depends on the behavior that is displayed. Positive reinforcement means positive behavior is met with a good and fair consequence, while negative behavior is discouraged.

ABA Therapy is effective for children with or without learning disabilities.

Benefits of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy

ABA also applies these rules to help reduce behaviors that may be harmful or inhibit learning.

Early Skills Development

Childhood is a critical period for growth and development – so many of your essential life skills are learned and strengthened at a young age. If your child has trouble learning and improving these essential skills, ABA therapy could help. Early functional skills include things like:

• Using the bathroom
• Getting dressed
• Holding things like pencils and scissors
• Movement skills
• Play skills
• Communication skills

It is also used to improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics. 

ABA Helps Kids Make Friends

Practitioners recommend this therapy be used in conjunction with teaching techniques like Direct Instruction, Pivotal Response Training, Natural Environment Training to promote the development of good communication skills in kids. ABA also helps children with autism make friends and make socializing easier.

Applied Behavior Analysis therapy helps your child play out social scenarios, learning positive responses and behavior that will help them form friendships and display friendly behavior towards others.

Helps Control Emotional Behavior

As children grow and develop, learning to control their emotions and the behavior attached to them can be very challenging. It’s common for children to have emotional outbursts or throw a tantrum occasionally, even more so if your child has autism. 

ABA Therapy walks them through scenarios, teaching them the best ways to express their emotions, which will elicit a positive response (consequence) from authority figures or friends. Instead of emotional outbursts, teaching them that calm communication is the best way to behave.

ABA is Evidence Backed Therapy

Studies have shown that with approximately forty hours of ABA therapy over an extended period of time, there is a very high rate of success of identifiable and significant behavioral improvement. Several organizations recognize ABA to be very effective, including:

• Autism Speaks
• American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Association for Science in Autism Treatment

ABA is an evidence-based “best” practice therapy, as indicated by the US Surgeon General and by the American Psychological Association. “Evidence-based” means that ABA has passed peer-reviewed scientific studies on the basis of its usefulness and effectiveness.

Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy At Therapists 2 Go

The term ABA is such a broad term that encompasses so many different methods and teaching tactics that it becomes difficult to explain what a typical program might look like. The number of sessions, hours of therapy as well as parental involvement 

ABA is such a broad approach that it is difficult to define what a typical program will look like. The amount of therapy and level of parent involvement varies, often according to the specific needs of the child. ABA skills training programs (such as discrete trial training, incidental teaching) can require several hours each day. 

While skills training programs are usually implemented by behavior therapists or teachers, parents are often taught critical skills to help their children transfer what they have learned in therapy to everyday life.

For more information, call our offices to speak with a member of our team or schedule a consultation online today!