Does your child have difficulty working with others or talking? Does he have difficulty looking others in the eye and speaking? Does he have a delay in learning language or speaking? Or does he sometimes cry for hours on end, or does he behave in a way that is uncontrollable? If you are a parent of a child with autism, you probably know very well how much this kind of behavior can affect the life of a child. One effective method that you can think of for your child at such times is Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA therapy.
Simply put, what is ABA therapy?
ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a special behavioral therapy used for children and individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The basic idea behind it is very simple. That is, when a child exhibits a certain good, appropriate behavior, if we praise that behavior and give a positive response (reward) for it, the child will be motivated to repeat that behavior.
In other words, when we reinforce a child's behavior, that behavior becomes more frequent. Similarly, when we do not respond to a child's inappropriate behavior in the same way, that behavior gradually decreases, and may even disappear altogether.
ABA therapy can help a child with autism to:
- Develop social relationships: Learn to talk, play, and work together with others.
- Learn new skills: things like language, academics, and how to do things on your own.
- Increase good, positive behaviors: like listening to others and being patient when making a request.
- Reduce challenging behaviors: things like self-harm, hitting others, and constant yelling.
Research has shown that ABA therapy significantly improves children's social skills, communication skills, and expressive language. Some studies have found that ABA therapy for more than 20 hours per week in the early years of a child's life (especially before age 4) can significantly improve a child's development. It has also been found that the need for special services is reduced later in life.
What actually happens during ABA therapy?
When your child begins ABA therapy, they will first meet with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), who has specialized training in this field. The first thing they will do is get to know your child well and assess their needs and current abilities.
After getting to know your child well in this way, the therapist will create a treatment plan that is specific to your child and tailored to them . This plan is designed to specifically target which behaviors your child needs to change and which skills they need to develop.
Your child's therapist will use a variety of methods, depending on your child's needs and the behavior they are targeting.
What are the main methods used in ABA therapy?
Behavior analysts (BCBAs) use a variety of methods when implementing ABA therapy. Here are some of the main ones. It is important for you to understand the differences between them.
| Methodology | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Discrete Trial Training (DTT) | This is often what people think of when they hear ABA. But this is only one part of ABA. DTT is a very structured method where the therapist teaches the child one task at a time, step by step. It is done one-on-one. For some children, this method is very successful. The important thing is that although in the past this method used to involve punishment for misbehavior, it is now completely banned. It is no longer an accepted method. |
| Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) | This method is very different from DTT. It is not as structured. It focuses on teaching through play and things that are related to the child's daily life. In PRT, the therapist uses the child's will and interests to teach. The therapist follows the child, but does not force the child to do what he wants. For example, if the child shows interest in playing with blocks, the therapist uses those blocks to teach him colors, shapes, or letters. |
| Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) | This is a combination of both of the above methods. Like PRT, the ESDM method also has mostly play-based activities . However, if necessary, structured teaching methods like DTT can also be used. One of the special features of this method is that it tries to achieve several goals within a single activity. For example, teaching a child the shape of a triangle can be one goal. At the same time, having the child put the triangle-shaped piece into the puzzle correctly can be another goal, developing the child's fine motor skills. |
What are the main benefits of ABA therapy?
There are several benefits that ABA therapy can bring to both you and your child:
- Ability to use for various conditions: This method can be used for many other health conditions, not just autism.
- A child-specific plan: Not every child is the same. The treatment plan is tailored to your child's needs and abilities.
- Scientifically proven results: This is not just a fad. Numerous studies have proven the success and positive results of this treatment method.
- Methods that can be used at home: ABA therapy also teaches you, the parent, ways to teach your child at home and measure their progress. This is very important for your child's development.
What are the misconceptions in society about ABA?
ABA therapy has been the subject of various criticisms and misconceptions since the past. In particular, when this method was first introduced, it used a method of punishment for children who did not learn something. But we must remember that now those methods have been completely abandoned . But some people still oppose this therapy because of such misconceptions.
| Misconception | The Real Story |
|---|---|
| "ABA is about trying to force children to be 'normal'." | This is a big misconception. The main goal of ABA is not to change the child and make them like everyone else. The focus here is on changing socially important behaviors that directly affect the child's safety and learning . For example, if a child is self-harming, stopping that behavior is essential for the child's safety. |
| "This is like training animals." | Positive reinforcement is a fundamental principle in the science of learning and behavior. It is common to animals as well as humans. It is the same principle that is used in things like a teacher praising a child in school, or a bonus for someone who does a good job in the workplace. In ABA, this principle is used to teach a child important life skills. |
| "ABA only focuses on behavioral problems." | Reducing challenging behaviors is one part of ABA. But more importantly, it teaches children appropriate, helpful behaviors to replace those bad behaviors. Rather than just saying "don't yell," it teaches them how to ask for what they want and how to control their anger. |
| "This is about paying children to work." | 'Bribery' and 'positive reinforcement' are two completely different things. A bribe is when a child is engaged in bad behavior (e.g., rolling around in a store and crying), and then we give them something to stop it. But in positive reinforcement , we tell the child in advance, "If you behave well inside the store, I'll buy you something you like when we come out." Here, we communicate the expected good behavior in advance. |
How long will my child need ABA therapy?
This is a question that many parents ask. But there is no single answer. The length of time your child will need ABA therapy depends on several factors. Every child is different.
When your child starts working with the therapist, he or she will help you decide how much time your child will need. The therapist will consider the type of therapy used, the amount of help your child needs, and how quickly your child is improving.
When your child is diagnosed with autism, you as a parent can feel overwhelmed and overwhelmed. You want to do the best for your child. But with so many treatment options available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. The best person to talk to about this is your doctor . Talk to him or her about your options. One of the most effective treatments you can consider is ABA therapy. This can help your child change their behavior, develop skills, and reduce their need for special services in the future.
Take-Home Message
- ABA therapy is a scientific method that praises a child's good behavior, responds positively to it, and improves that behavior.
- This treatment plan is not the same for every child. It is tailored to your child by a trained specialist.
- This helps improve the child's social skills, communication, and learning, and reduces challenging behaviors.
- Modern ABA therapy does not use any form of punishment. Don't be afraid of that.
- There are many misconceptions about ABA in society, so always seek information from trusted sources and your doctor.
- Before deciding which treatment options are right for your child, be sure to talk to your doctor .
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