What kind of therapist will be a good fit for your child?

Not all therapists will have the same style of implementing common ABA therapy techniques. Some may be very gentle, others firm, where some may want to explain situations to a child who works well with logic, and others may want to make simple demands instead. Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) is a therapy that is implemented in a way that molds to your child's unique personality and needs.

Because of this, not all Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapist will be the right fit for your child. When you decide to terminate services, you may consider if you want somebody else. If this is the case, think about what it was about the last analyst that caused issues for you. Understanding what you disliked about the therapist style of teaching, and communicating it to the company, can help them find you a better fit. Making a concrete list of what you are looking for gives the therapist/company a way to meet your needs, and either refer you or find someone like that.

Whether it’s tone of voice, certain techniques you don’t agree with or simply the personality of your therapist, making sure all of those issues are met to your desires are important. Never be afraid to go with a different therapist until you find the right fit for your child. Every therapist practicing ABA will bring their own unique style and personality into the mix. Just like every child will bring their own personalities into the relationship.

Why your child is acting a certain way

Every child, anywhere, regardless of autism, acts a certain way for a reason. We don’t do things out of nowhere. Honing down those reasons are the key to helping a child overcome a behavior that won’t serve them in their adult years.

Let’s look at some common reasons people engage in certain behaviors so you notice what makes your child act the way they do!

Sensory

Sometimes we do things because it feels good to do them. Even though soda is bad for us, when we drink it the taste feels worth it, or the energy it gives us feels good. Sometimes we know we shouldn’t do something but we do it anyway because it makes us feel something we crave.

For an autistic child they may involve themselves in sensory stimulation, like flapping, rubbing their hands on things and spitting. This behavior is self soothing; they do it because it feels good! You may see it occur more when the child is frustrated, bored or even excited.

Escape

If you could escape from a painful situation without consequence, instead of facing it head on, would you? Most of us would!

Autistic children are known to bolt (they call it eloping now, officially) they run from situations, they hide under tables and do anything they can to escape doing something. Sometimes that something could be as simple as putting their plate in the sink. It’s not always because of doom and gloom circumstances.

A client of ours loves to use this behavior, he has several places in the house he knows is hard for adults to get to and as soon as you ask him to do something unpleasant (like chores) off he runs to hide under the bed.

There are other ways to escape situations like violence and yelling.

Children do this when they don’t want to engage in something. Maybe that something is boring, scary, annoying or too hard for them.

Attention

Yup, people do things for attention. This is a difficult one for some people to understand because it has such negative connotations wrapped around it. It shouldn’t, ‘attention seeking’ is just communicating that you want someone’s attention in the wrong way.

This is probably my middle child’s favorite reason to act out. He is a show star, he is loving, cute and by golly if he can be center of attention he will find a way! His autism (low empathy) means he often pushes children, hits them or bullies them so he can take their attention from them. It’s not about the child being a ‘bad kid’, this is just a child that doesn’t know how to say, “Hey I want a connection with you right now but I don’t know how to do it.”

Children do this when they want social interaction, or they want you to connect with them.

Tangibles

A few of our clients are obsessed with electronics. When it comes to trying to take them away the term ‘out of my cold dead hands,’ comes to mind. Sometimes children act out because they want something, plain and simple. They just don’t know how to communicate that want or they are terrified if you take it away they will never see it again.

This is the way that an ABA therapist looks at your child’s behavior, and a great thing to do for yourself as a parent. Sometimes putting meaning to situations helps us cope, and also gives us insight into how we can help our child in that moment.

Terms that can be useful during ABA therapy

As a parent Applied Behavioral Analyses (ABA) uses a lot of jargon words that leave us confused and wondering what the heck the therapist just told us! Arming yourself with the professional language of ABA will help you understand what the analyst or therapist may be saying when discussing your child with you (or even each other).

ABA – Applied Behavioral Analyses.

ABC – A three step behavior process that stands for, antecedent, behavior and consequence.

ASD – Autism spectrum disorder

Abscissa – The horizontal line graph that measures the time a behavior occurs.

Active Behavior – A behavior which can change, such as running, jumping etc, sitting still is not an active behavior.

Active Responding – When a child is expected to behave by solving problems, speaking, writing etc rather than just listening.

Advocate – Somebody who speaks out on behalf of a person.

Americans with Disabilities Act – Federal civil rights law protecting those with disabilities.

Annual Goal – A goal that you wish your child to reach within a set time period.

Antecedent – What happened before a behavior.

Approach – Choosing which form of treatment will be used, ‘the approach used’.

Augmentative Communication – Any communication made without using speech, such as pictures, sign, or electronic devices.

BCBA – People with this qualification are able to oversee and supervise programmes.

Behavior – Not always something bad, this is when a child does a behavior that is measurable, such as a meltdown or manding.

Chaining – This is the word used to describe when a therapist teaches a child a task using multiple steps. These can be taught backwards or forwards and still be successful.

Chronological age – How old the child is biologically.

Cognitive – Referring to thinking skills, which includes receiving and understanding information. This could be done by placing a square in a square shaped slot by understanding where the square needed to go.

Consequence – What happens after a behavior occurs.

Consultant – Anyone your therapist consults with/creates plans with, or a person who trains people.

DSM – Diagnostic manual for all mental disorders. This let’s a therapist know the criteria for each diagnoses.

DTT – Discrete trial training. This is when a skill is taught multiple times, usually by giving a demand and expecting a specific response, followed by praise.

Deprivation – When a motivator is removed/lessened so it is very desirable.

Development age – How old the child is ‘developmentally’, measured by tasks and skills they can complete based on the neurologically typical age range for those skills.

Developmentally Delayed – When a child is delayed compared to their peers.

Echoic – When you ask a child to repeat something and they repeat it on demand.

Echolalia – Where a child repeats what is said back to you almost compulsively. So instead of answering a question they repeat parts of the question, or the entire sentence.

Elopement – The official term for a child running away, or bolting.

Environmental Modification – Where the environment is changed to reduce barriers affecting instruction, behavior and teaching.

Expressive language – The use of language to convey meaning.

Extinction burst – When a child suddenly starts doing the behavior more often, or at a higher level, once a re-enforcer is removed.

Extinction – Removing what re-enforced your child to do something, such as giving attention to whining, which results in the child doing this less.

Fine motor – The small movements you perform with your body. With Autism you may see that a child has a hard time picking things up with his/her fingers or writing.

Floor-time – When a child moves away from table-learning, this is often child led learning.

Generalization – Being able to apply what you have learned to all situations. Such as learning how to ask for juice in therapy, then asking the same way at home.

Gross Motor Skills – Large muscles in the body perform gross motor skills. This could be jumping or running.

Hand-Over-Hand – When a therapist will literally move your child’s body to show them what they mean by a demand. For example, they may ask them to pick up a block and when the child doesn’t understand or refuses, they will take their hands and help them pick up the block with plenty of praise.

High functioning Autism – A child with Autism who has a great grasp of age appropriate skills but is unable to socialize with ease.

Hypersensitive – Very sensitive to outside stimulation.

Hyposensitive – Not at all sensitive to outside stimulation.

IEP – Individualized education plan. A legal document outlining the educational plan for your child when they are considered to have special needs.

Intervention – Using a plan of action to change an undesired behavior.

Intraverbals – When a child uses speech without visual prompts, such as being able to tell you what they did at school that day.

Level, 1, 2, 3 – Under the DSM criteria each level requires more and more support, with 1 being minimal and 3 being substantial.

Low Functioning Autism – A child who is quite delayed, may not speak etc.

Mand – This is a verbal criterion, and is when a child uses words to ask for something or make a demand. This is usually the first form of language that children learn. Juice, when asking for juice, would be an example of manding.

Mouthing – When a child puts things in their mouth.

NET – Natural environment training is child led therapy or learning from the current environment.

Neurologically-typical – Another way to say ‘normal’. This is when a child develops at a normal rate.

Normal – When a child develops normally. Some people may find this term offensive.

Peer-Mediated – When a child a similar age to yours is trained to interact with your child and teach social skills.

Perseverative Behavior – When a child engages in excessive, repetitive behavior that is not stimming such as asking for an object several times in a row.

Picture Exchange Communication System – Or PECS is used when a child has limited verbal skills, often they are given pictures to exchange with you in order to communicate.

Pivotal Response Training – Where a child is taught pivotal areas of development which are targeted to affect several areas of development at once.

Prompt dependant – When a child has gotten to the point where they consistently need to be prompted to do a specific task and won’t do the task independently.

Prompt – When a therapist prompts a specific response they are looking for, this could be verbally, physically, visually etc.

Punisher – This does not refer to punishing the child, but rather a consequence of an action which reduces a behavior. This could mean having a child move away from a situation where they are being disruptive and being allowed to re-join once they behave appropriately, in this case it could both protect the child and other children/objects involved.

Re-enforcer – When a child is given a motivation to complete a task, such as a favorite toy.

Receptive Language – This is ‘good listening skills’ where a child can follow directions that are non-verbal.

Recovered – When a child no longer fits the diagnostic criteria for ASD.

Regression – Where a skill a child previously knew has reduced or vanished from their repertoire. Or when a behavior eradicated many years ago, comes back.

SLP/OT/PT – Professionals who help with areas of the child’s development. Speech and language therapists (SLP) help with speech delays, OT helps with occupational therapy issues (play), Physical therapists help with fine and gross motor skills.

Satiation – When a re-enforcer no longer works because it has been over-used.

Scripting – A verbal stim of some sort, such as a song that’s repeated over and over.

Scrolling – When a child is asked a question and they go through several responses before reaching the correct response. As in; if they are shown a circle and they say, square, rectangle, circle!

Self-Injurious Behavior – When a child hurts themselves purposefully.

Sensory Integration – Tools used to help a child reach internal sensory needs, this could be a weighted vest or blanket.

Shadow – Somebody who follows your child around in the classroom as a helper.

Stereotypic/Repetitive Behaviors – Also called stimming, this could be repetitive motions such as spinning and flapping.

Tact – A tactile is a verbal term, this is where a child can name objects they can see.

Target Behavior – A behavior the therapist is interested in increasing or decreasing.

Task Reduction – In some cases a child is frustrated by the amount of demands put on them so they are reduced to help increase success levels.

Transitions – A lot of children with Autism have transition issues, this is issues with moving from one location to another or one activity to another.

VB – Or verbal behavior; a branch of ABA that concentrates on speech behavior.

Variable Ratio – When a child is given a demand, or is expected to make a response and is given a re-enforcer every set amount of times. For example, 3-5, the child receives a re-enforcer every time they complete a task 3-5 times.

Vocal/Verbal vs Non-Verbal/Vocal – When a child can use language or not.

 

Asking questions about your therapist being too hard or too soft on your child can be a learning experience

Applied Behavioral Analyses (ABA) therapy is about teaching your child life skills, academics, and positive behaviors in a fun environment. Sometimes that means your therapist may do something you don’t always understand. It’s always best to ask why, often, as once you understand you too can apply it at home.

One common question parents often ask is why the therapist is, or isn’t placing demands on a child, especially if the parent has done something entirely different regarding a behavior.

Is the Therapist being too hard?

Sometimes when a therapists places lot of demands, a child with Autism tantrums. However, this does not mean that the therapist should punish or spank.

 Many times you will see an ABA therapist holding a child still, forcing them to do things, or to sit still until they stop tantrumming instead of typical punishments like removing a toy, or time out. As a parent, this can be uncomfortable as we often go into survival mode and try to stop whatever has upset the child. Or bargain with them, or put them in time out, or any myriad of techniques that seem appropriate at the time.

An ABA therapist is unafraid of the meltdowns. They place the same demands that anyone would place on a child and hold them to it, sometimes literally, in a safe place.  

Is the Therapist being too soft?

However, on the other end of the spectrum you could ask, why is my therapist not jumping on the bad behavior enough?

Sometimes this is a legitimate concern and perhaps your therapist needs to consult with their team better if they are encouraging certain behaviors to continue. If you notice your child has started a new behavior because of what a therapist is doing, always consult the analyst or therapist. Sometimes therapists get it wrong too.

For example: Our child once started purposefully engaging in ‘bad’ behavior to find opportunities to get a demand. This was because, during therapy time when given a demand, he got a piece of candy for performing it correctly.  Of course, 40 minute long tantrums ensued as he stole items, gave them back, and then demanded candy for his confused version of good behavior. Looking back, it was a little funny to watch a child run with glee through the house as he stole his sisters night shirt, only to immediately bring it back, then head to the candy jar all proud of himself…as I stood there completely baffled. But at the time it was a confusing experience for everyone involved. We fixed this by speaking to the analyst who banned candy as a re-enforcer. The issue was remedied in less than a day.

But there are other reasons a therapist may not be addressing the behavior. Some techniques involve ignoring a behavior altogether until it naturally falls out of the child’s tool-box. Perhaps they’re licking the table and making silly noises because they think it’s funny, but actually this could be totally unhygienic if they were to do it outside of the home. Here, the therapist may ignore it until the child forgets about doing it because they’re not getting any fun out of it.

Another reason your therapist may not be addressing behaviors yet, is when therapy first begins. Therapists will go through a ‘honeymoon’ stage with the child when they meet. This is where they play, get the child to love them, teach them they’re a fun person and everything will be great. If they come down too hard to begin with, your child won’t want to be around them since they haven’t learnt this person is a fun person to play with. And ABA therapists believe a child HAS to have fun to learn.

 

It’s always best to ask questions that come to mind with your therapist— it can be a great learning experience for everyone involved, not just your child. This is somebody who will be working with your child for perhaps years to come, and being on the same page with their nuances will make everything run a little more smoothly.

 

Tips for Potty Training

Autism can cause a host of issues when it comes to potty training and there are many reasons. Some of these issues stem from a general development delay, communication issues and anxieties that accompany toileting.

The Trouble with Communication

There may be some problems with communication where the child is unable to express that they need the potty, or do not understand the line of questions associated with the potty such as: “Do you need the bathroom?”

Even body language can be a problem with children who have Autism; you may notice that your child has no warning signs before an accident, such as playing with their underwear or jumping up and down.

With Applied Behavioral Analyses (ABA) techniques like Verbal behavior methods or PECs can teach a child to understand and communicate more efficiently so fewer accidents happen. Specifically a visual schedule or social story can help a child who has trouble understanding language; this is several pictures showing what will happen when a child goes potty, from sitting on the toilette, to wiping, to washing their hands.

Sensory Issues and Potty Training

Another common issue for Autistic children is the sensory side of using a potty or diapers. Sometimes the bathroom is colder than other rooms in the house, the floor could be cold, the potty hole could be too intimidating, the diaper could comfort, the child may need a stool to stabilize their feet and may detest the sound of the toilette flushing. These are all things that spike anxiety and make potty time unpleasant. Most of these things can be adjusted, explained, and worked through together.

Make Potty Time Fun Again

As with many classic ABA methods, re-enforcers encourage a child to enjoy their potty time. This could be rewarding them with stickers, candy, or a special toy every time they successfully use the potty. Some parents use a special toy area that the child has access to after they have successfully used the bathroom. You can set this up in the corner of the room or in the bathtub.

Transitioning to the Potty

Finally, children with Autism often have transitional problems. This too may impact your potty training in a way that ‘typically developing’ children may not have to deal with. Moving straight from an activity or location can be traumatic for a child with Autism and they may have accidents to try to avoid potty time all together. Giving plenty of warning and being consistent can help.

 

ABA therapists have strategies for every situation that occurs, and they have probably seen it all before, or at least heard about it. This will make potty training so much easier on the parent and guarantee a greater chance of success.

A tool that can help to reduce your child's anxiety

Children who have Autism often have trouble with transitions. A transition is just a fancy way of saying, going from one activity to the next, or one place to the next. Applied Behavioral Analyses (ABA) has plenty of tools in its toolbox to help your child overcome the meltdowns, or negative behaviors that occur after or during the transition.

This article talks about visual schedules…

Autistic children love routine and love knowing what’s going to happen next. Think about it this way:

A friend says they’re taking you away for the weekend. They want you to pack everything you need within 2 minutes so you can leave right away. If you don’t pack in time, you’re leaving any way and can’t gather what you need. You aren’t allowed to know the location, who is going to be there, or any clues to what you might need with you.

The scenario is a little exciting sure, but incredibly stressful. Do you pack jeans? Something formal? Hiking gear? Will you need soap? Will you need a towel? Can you gather your tools to be successful on this trip fast enough?

Springing a transition on an Autistic child is a lot like the above scenario. Without a schedule there is no walk-through, your child doesn’t know what to prepare for, what tools they might need from their coping toolbox, who might be there or how they’re expected to act socially. When a new activity is dropped on them out of nowhere, it’s akin to trying to pack a suitcase in 30 seconds flat…Oh and listen to what your parent tells you to do and do it right away! It is horribly overwhelming.

Knowing this, it’s a little wonder your child might be tantrumming, throwing their toys, or just plain sulking and refusing to go. After all, they probably don’t have the same tools an adult would, to navigate the situation.

A visual schedule is essentially pictures of all the locations your child will be visiting that day. Perhaps it’s different classes, or Grandma’s house. Whatever it is, take a picture and put it up on an hour by hour schedule and talk to your child about what you will be doing that day. Warn your child 30 minutes before you have a transition, and use the picture during a transition, to explain what is happening next. 

Once your child becomes familiar with the routine, and locations, things may get better. This is just a quick explanation, your ABA therapist can use these tools and more to help reduce your child’s anxiety.

10 Facts You Must Know About Applied Behavioral Analyses

Applied Behavioral Analyses therapy (ABA) is a fantastic therapy for Autistic children, to help them keep up with peers, learn life skills and develop into happier adults.

Here are ten remarkable facts you might not know about ABA.

1.     ABA continues to be researched and practiced, for more than 35 years. The original name of the therapy was Behavioral Modification, which goes back even further to the early 1900’s.

2.     ABA therapy is supported by the Association for Science in Autism Research, the Surgeon General and the National Institute of Health.

3.     This therapy can be performed at any age, but works best on younger children.

4.     It works anywhere, from school to home and work life. Fostering generalization across all areas of life ensures your Autistic child can live life to the fullest anywhere.

5.     90% of Autistic individuals who underwent ABA, at 40 hours a week, substantially improved. (Lovaas, 1987, study of intensive behavioral treatment)

6.     45% of therapies develop long-lasting and observable results – according to the Surgeon General Autism treatment report. ABA is one of these.

7.     ABA is not all table work; a child learns in the real world too!

8.     Corporate punishment is not a part of this therapy.

9.     ABA is used to quit smoking, help personality disorders, air those with OCD and counsel relationships. It is also used in the workplace, and with athletes.

10.  No two ABA programs are the same. By its, nature ABA is tailored towards the child so that every ABA therapy will look different.

11.  Since ABA is personalized, it is also a data driven therapy. Lots of information and facts are written down and recorded about your child to help them progress.

12.  Bribes are not used during ABA, re-enforcements are. This means a child is not told they will get something if they do something; the positive behavior is praised after the child has performed the needed action or behavior.

Is Your Child Sync with ABA Therapy and School? If Not Here Are Some Tools You Can Use to Get ABA Therapy and School Aligned.

Applied Behavioral Analyses therapy (ABA) helps to change behaviors that hinder your child’s development – when they have a diagnosis of Autism and other similar issues. But this therapy alone will not push your child to the heights of their learning abilities. It’s important that all areas of the child’s life are in sync – which is why it’s great to have an ABA therapist willing to be in contact and work with schools.

All Therapists Should be in Sync with ABA

Some schools provide OT, speech and other services that help improve your child’s quality of life, but they have the luxury of syncing these lessons together. If your ABA therapist is on the outside of this team, they can’t work as a whole. This is why, as a parent and ABA therapist, it’s important to be on top of the lessons the child is learning in all areas of their lives.

But what if your child is struggling in school and not progressing with peers? Or the school is not providing any therapy at all?

Some Autistic Children Do Not Cope in School

A child who absolutely cannot function in a social, verbal learning environment due to sensory issues will often exhibit strong sensory pre-occupation; they may seem inattentive, or exhibit bad or repetitive behavior. This is typical for a lower functioning Autistic child. It can be so distracting for your child and sometimes even painful, it’s almost impossible for them to learn in a school environment.

If this sounds like your child, ABA and homeschooling/shorter days should be thought about. Postponing regular schooling to correct sensory/learning problems doesn’t make you a bad parent. If a child cannot concentrate in a group setting, they won’t be gaining anything out of it anyway.

However, some schools simply aren’t trying hard enough. Hiring your ABA therapist to go in and investigate the school environment should be step one. They can identify the issues in the classroom and report back what isn’t working for your child and work with your child’s teacher who likely hasn’t been trained correctly. Using this method you can fight for better resources – and sometimes, unfortunately, it will be a fight.

Is ABA More Important than School?

ABA can help a child learn to learn, help a child overcome sensory issues and engage in the world outside of themselves. If your child can’t participate in a school setting, perhaps thinking about intense ABA therapy before school would be the best way to go. As a parent it’s best not to feel guilty about this; a child learning how to live in the world is more important than the skill of counting which can be taught at any age. With that said…

A child is not required to enter school until they are 6 years of age on or before September 1^st of the year they will enter school. But if pushing back school entirely makes you uncomfortable, you can also consider shorter school days in order to add extra ABA therapy or even home school entirely.

ABA therapy should be a compliment to your child’s schooling and should always come first if a child is struggling greatly. As a parent, it’s important to communicate with schools and our children’s therapist to know what course of action needs to be taken.

For more information please visit our Website @ www.buildingblockresolutions.com

The Benefits of Getting Your Autistic Child ABA Services Before the Age of Three.

If you’re a parent of a child who has recently received a diagnosis of Autism under the age of 2, you will consider what therapies can help them. After all, they may not be verbal right now, they may have little comprehension of the world around them – you may wonder how on earth anyone could teach them socialization and if therapy is even worth it. I know I had many of those thoughts myself; especially since many parents spend countless hours trying to teach my Autistic sons skills with little progress.

One of the first therapies you will likely hear about is Applied Behavioral Analyses (ABA). That sounds like a formidable name by itself, but ABA is simple teaching your Autistic child skills they can use in the world, be it social, verbal, play or correct behaviors.  You may also visualize this as your one-year-old sitting attentively at a desk and ask yourself “how will that work?”

Actually, you’d be surprised what little things a one-year-old with Autism needs to learn that will heavily impact them later on – and a lot of it doesn’t involve desks at all. Like the ability to point, the ability to engage for short amounts of time, and most importantly, the ability to play. Teaching a child these simple age appropriate skills will help them build up to more intense things later on. If a child can point to something, they can communicate better and reduce frustration as they grow. If a child can engage for a short amount of time, then your relationship will grow and you will bond. If a child is taught to play with toys appropriately, then they can learn from these toys (as children learn through play).

According to a study performed by researchers at the New England Center for Children 90% of children under the age of 2 made significant social and communication skill gains within a year, when enrolled in an early intervention program. 90% is a big deal, and this drops to 30% if a child begins after the age of 2 and a half. So ABA is almost guaranteed to help your child, and should definitely be a therapy you look into.

ABA is always aimed at a child as an individual; it isn’t a step-by-step program that can be followed out of a book. This is a complex therapy that takes therapists years of study to master, so you can rest assured your little one won’t be put under any learning regiment they are not ready for.

 visit our website at www.buildingblockresolutions.com

Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy for All Ages

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy is a great therapy for young Autistic children, and what most people associate the therapy with. But if you have an older child or teenager, they too can benefit from ABA. ABA isn’t only an early intervention therapy, it teaches children how to learn and change behaviors and can be started at any age.

In fact, ABA isn’t just for Autistic children; it is simply famous for helping Autistic children. But ABA is also used in business, sports and education to name a few. For example, ABA can be applied using antecedents and consequences to help somebody achieve more in their area of sports, be it track, baseball or anything you could think of.

ABA also doesn’t only help with negative behaviors in children and teenagers; if you want your teenager or older child to have more freedom it can provide it. For example, if your child is unable to turn the channel to their favorite television show, it can teach them how to do this. For the higher functioning children, it can help with their organization skills. Using visual charts is a part of ABA and implementing these to set schedules so your child can remember to complete homework on time is just one example of many. It can improve the quality of life so you can have a happier child.

ABA helps older children to function in a more positive way, to learn at a rate that their peers are learning, to be happier in life and achieve the needs that they crave. It is excellent for children and teenagers of all ages, even adults and it is never too late to start your child in an ABA program.

Please visit our website at www.buildingblockresolutions.com

Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy for All Ages

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy is a great therapy for young Autistic children, and what most people associate the therapy with. But if you have an older child or teenager, they too can benefit from ABA. ABA isn’t only an early intervention therapy, it teaches children how to learn and change behaviors and can be started at any age.

In fact, ABA isn’t just for Autistic children; it is simply famous for helping Autistic children. But ABA is also used in business, sports and education to name a few. For example, ABA can be applied using antecedents and consequences to help somebody achieve more in their area of sports, be it track, baseball or anything you could think of.

ABA also doesn’t only help with negative behaviors in children and teenagers; if you want your teenager or older child to have more freedom it can provide it. For example, if your child is unable to turn the channel to their favorite television show, it can teach them how to do this. For the higher functioning children, it can help with their organization skills. Using visual charts is a part of ABA and implementing these to set schedules so your child can remember to complete homework on time is just one example of many. It can improve the quality of life so you can have a happier child.

ABA helps older children to function in a more positive way, to learn at a rate that their peers are learning, to be happier in life and achieve the needs that they crave. It is excellent for children and teenagers of all ages, even adults and it is never too late to start your child in an ABA program.

Please visit our website at www.buildingblockresolutions.com

Analytical Behavioral Therapy Applied by Parents Over Therapist

Analytical behavioral therapy (ABA) is a great therapy for Autistic children and studies have shown that parents who do this at home get better results. There are several online courses to help us learn how to do this, but we can also ask our therapist what they would recommend we do at home. Having said this, there will be times where we as parents won’t get the same fast results that a therapist would. For example, one of my children couldn’t use sign language no matter how many hours of effort I put in. Along came a therapist, and he signed within the week. It’s upsetting when a therapist can teach our child better than we can, but there are reasons for it…

You Are Not a Failure

It’s important to not be discouraged that it’s taking longer to implement new behaviors without our therapist's input. This isn’t because we are bad parents, or we are doing anything wrong. We as parents need to remember that our child see’s us as the caregiver. We are the love and comfort source that our children seek out. When we start withdrawing wants to teach, it can become a power struggle. Our therapist has the advantage of setting up this kind of relationship from the start, our kids know they mean business and they cannot be manipulated.  A child may dig their heels in or simply become confused when we suddenly change the way we relate to them. Because of this, it is always best to have a therapist conduct ABA therapy alongside you.

Your Child May Get Stubborn

Power struggles with any child are frustrating, but it’s game on when an Autistic child fixates better than you. One of my two-year-old Autistic children is a classic example of this. He insists on touching outlets, climbing on objects, and generally touching anything that would get a quick fear reaction. Reacting with fear gives the child power over you, but as a parent, it’s natural to be afraid your child will get hurt. This is something a therapist would be able to control far more than you, rendering ABA difficult for you as a parent but not impossible.

You Can’t Change the World

On top of this, a therapist is able to change the environment and reduce stimuli the way we as parents can’t. This is a great tool for Autistic children but is unrealistic outside of a therapist’s office. We can’t change the world to suit their needs, unfortunately, and so we are more likely to run into triggers before the child is ready to handle them.

ABA must become a lifestyle in your home for the best success. But you are not a failure if you cannot implement the same changes as your therapist. There are restrictions that we as parents have, preventing us from gaining that same success a therapist would. But with time and patience, your child will overcome whatever stands in their way.

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How Do You Know If Your Autistic Child No Longer Needs ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analyses (ABA) is a wonderful therapy for your Autistic child; it works on their negative behaviors, social skills, speech, educational skills and more.

But how do you know if your Autistic child no longer needs ABA therapy? What stage of functioning is ‘good enough’?

How Do You Think Your Child is Doing?

The first step to determine this is the observation from you and the therapist. Interaction with peers, and how other children are behaving and performing around them, will work well as a sounding board. If they appear to work well in classrooms and other environments, it may be time for some evaluations.

Some Issues May Be Hiding

If all tests come back in the same range as peers their age, then your child can probably end ABA. Before making this decision, be sure to check problem-solving, pragmatic language (body language/how we say things), and executive functioning (time management). Which are subtle skills that often stay with Autistic children, but go unnoticed.

Is Your Child Happy?

Take into account how happy your child is. If your child is still struggling, it’s important to get to the root of the issue. They may appear to be functioning with language and IQ, but perhaps there is an emotional issue under the surface.

Continuing Therapy at Home

If you – as the parent – have enough skills in ABA and the child functions well with few areas to work on, ending the therapy is a good next step.  You can continue the therapy from home. But if you don’t have the time to put into therapy (on top of all the other things we do as Autistic parents) keeping a behavior analyses around is a good thing too. New behaviors may emerge and a child can always learn more.

Don’t Suddenly Stop

If you do decide to end ABA, be sure to fade it out slowly so you can catch any issues that may arise. Ending therapy and leaving a therapist is an emotional time, especially for a child who may love their teacher. It’s important to give your child plenty of time to adjust.

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Can Applied Behavioral Therapy Help a Child Who is Non-verbal?

Many children on the Autism spectrum have trouble with speech. This could be because of Apraxia which is a motor disorder that makes it hard for children to use their mouths to form words, or maybe they simply can’t communicate as well as the rest of us. This doesn’t mean they can’t communicate in other ways such as picture cards, behavior (good and bad), sign language and electronic devices.

But can Applied Behavioral Analyses (ABA) help a child who is non-verbal?

The short answer is yes.

ABA is essentially performing an antecedent (an action, a request), the child performs a behavior, and then there is a consequence for the behavior. Either they get it right and there're positive displays of fun and cheering, or the child is shown again. If they still get it wrong a hand is placed on theirs to guide them to the answer so they are correct (queue cheers and happy words).

Think of all the ways a non-verbal child could respond to this without words. They could hand over an object, use picture cards or electronics to communicate speech, point, or even sign their response. Not being able to speak would not hinder your child to learn. 

In fact, VB is a branch of ABA that teaches children how to communicate. So ABA techniques can help teach your child to speak too. It uses much of the same principles including errorless learning. This means your child is never wrong and receive prompts as much as needed – which like ABA are faded out as the child learns.

As parents, we use ABA tools all the time. We ask a child to get up to the table to eat, the child does, we praise the child. This is partly ABA! Being able to speak or not speak would never hinder your child to learn positive behaviors and in turn learn that the world will reward them for all the good that they do.

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Using Data to Determine the Best Course of Action

When it comes to your Autistic child and applied behavioral analyses (ABA), it’s important that all sorts of factors are measured. This means your therapist will be using charts, data and numbers to determine the best course of action. But why would they do this?

One reason is a prediction. When a child needs to reduce problematic behavior it’s measured rather clinically so the therapist can work towards a realistic goal. Some measurements to achieve this are; when a behavior happens, where, with whom, and how often.

Measurements can also be a great help for the parent as we see changes we wouldn’t otherwise have noticed. For instance, a child does something once not three times, or for two minutes less. Predictions predict where a child will be in a few months time. Measurement lets us see how far they have come.

Another great thing about observing and measuring behavior is we start to see patterns emerging. Patterns tell us why the child is behaving the way they are so we can form a hypothesis. This is therapy jargon that means ‘we can understand the reason behind an action’. Once we know why we can replace the behavior with something more appropriate, or reduce the stimuli causing the issue.

Behavior isn’t random, it’s used to receive a need, or avoid/escape something painful. With Autism the painful thing a child could be avoiding can be surprising as many things stimulate them in ways stimuli usually wouldn’t. For example, a child could be tantrumming every time they start to walk into a store because of the bright lights. Measurements and keen observation catch these things quickly so your child can work towards a realistic goal.  

Measuring, graphs, numbers and data are just another tool in the therapist’s box to steer, guide and teach your child how to navigate the world.

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ABA Therapy at Home V.S. The Therapist's Office

 

  Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a therapy that teaches your Autistic child how to learn with positive re-enforcement. They are taught in a thrilling, gentle way, which opens up new paths for them. But should your child be doing their ABA therapy at home? Or in the therapist’s office?

ABA in the Therapists Office

When ABA is performed in this structured way it simulates similar learning environments your child will encounter over the years in schools, colleges and universities. Performing ABA therapy with your child in such an environment may help them focus when at school, due to a familiar feeling of structure. ABA teaches child skills and behaviors that are needed for environments like schools, such as concentration.

By performing ABA therapy in an office, or out of the home, your child doesn’t have their usual clutch items to cling to, such as toys and family. This is something that will happen as they get older and enter ordered environments. Being away from familiar items can cause anxiety and distress for a child, something that a therapist can address and help your child overcome.

Also, Autistic children often have issues with distractions; some of these are sensory problems such as loud noises. In a home it’s hard to avoid the sounds of traffic, phones ringing, and people talking, but a therapist can design their space to suit your child’s needs to get the best out of ABA.

ABA at Home

Of course, home based therapy can be wonderful for a child who struggles with new places and new people. Sometimes a child has specific behaviors that need addressing within the home, such as meal times, or escaping out of the front door! This can’t be addressed easily in an office as it’s hard to simulate. It’s also convenient for the parent to keep up with high hours of therapy if it’s done within the home.

Another thing to consider is that it can depend on how old your child is. A child who doesn’t need to be in nursery or a school setting yet (1 – 3 years) may benefit more from having therapy in an environment they know. ABA also doesn’t need any fancy equipment that you don’t already have around your home and working with loved toys will be enjoyable for your child.

Balancing working in a structured environment and a therapist’s office is the best way to achieve a perfect balance with ABA therapy. But otherwise, the approach will depend on your child. ABA therapy is a wonderful experience for most Autistic children and it’s important they are as comfortable as possible where ever it’s performed.

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ABA Training for Parents

 Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a fantastic therapy for an Autistic child, as it helps to achieve something called generalization. This is when a child is able to perform actions in all areas of their lives. If you’ve ever seen your child use certain words, or perform certain tasks at school but not at home (or the opposite) ABA therapy can help!

But to do this we as parents need to be heavily involved. Research has shown that parents who are involved with their child’s ABA therapy are more likely to succeed. ABA therapy is labor intensive and takes a whole team, a parent who has a big say in this team is able to co-ordinate more efficiently – after all you see your child in all areas of their life.

A child whose parent isn’t deeply involved with ABA therapy, or don’t understand the goals and outcomes the therapist is looking for, may find that their child is only able to perform certain actions around the therapist. This can be frustrating, and can even knock our self-esteem as parents. We want to feel a sense of control and be able to teach our own children, ABA therapy not only gives you an active role to play but helps you feel as if you are helping your child in ways you couldn’t before.

There are many organizations that provide ABA training for parents, including some online schools. Getting as much information about ABA therapy, from schooling, to online, to your own therapist will help your child reach the goals that you want them to achieve. 

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Individualized Autism Treatment with ABA

It’s called Autism Spectrum Disorder because it’s just that --a spectrum-- meaning it can range from very severe to barely noticeable. No two cases of autism are alike therefore it should be no coincidence that no two autism treatments should be alike. It’s often best for children with autism to get an individualized 

approach to treatment.

Deciding which type of autism treatment will be best for your child can pose a challenge. Probably the only thing that different practitioners and researchers agree on is that the earlier the child gets treatment the better off he or she will be. Early detection and treatment can prevent symptoms from getting worse, teach missing skills, and sometimes even mainstream the child -- meaning they become virtually undetectable from typical developing children. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

The best place to start is to assess your child’s current basic strengths and weaknesses. A skilled therapist will be able to do this. The reason for this is that treatment most often treats the symptoms, not the diagnosis of autism itself. There is currently no cure for autism and the cause is still unknown. Luckily, treatment options are very promising. Assessing your child’s current strengths and weaknesses will help better direct the treatment in the areas which would be most beneficial to your child.

Next look at the treatment options available and ask yourself which one would best benefit your child. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most commonly used behavioral approach. ABA is a scientifically based, systematic approach to teaching people how to learn. Usually no plan of action is started without a functional behavioral assessment (FBA). This way you as the parent can be assured that your child is truly receiving individualized care. ABA focuses on socially important problems so the child can best function in their environment. This is why treatment is often conducted in the home -- the natural environment.

It’s always important that in any approach that the child likes the treatment or else it will eventually become aversive and possibly ineffective. Good therapy sessions should be rewarding and fun. Progress should be systematically reviewed; and if you are not seeing positive changes within the first 3 months, services should be re-evaluated because when treating young children time is of the essence. Getting effective treatment while the child’s brain is still young and developing can make a world of difference.

Finally, making sure that you are utilizing skilled practitioners who utilize best practice will be essential to child improvement. When choosing ABA it’s important that the case is being supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

To learn more about ABA treatment in the South Florida area visit www.buildingblockresolutions.com.