Does your child have difficulty connecting with others and talking? Does he or she have difficulty making eye contact? Or does he or she sometimes cry for no apparent reason, or behave in a way that is out of character? If your child has a developmental condition like autism, you probably know how disruptive these behaviors can be. One treatment option you might consider in this situation is ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis.
Simply put, what is ABA?
ABA therapy is a special behavioral therapy used for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. It is based on a very simple idea. That is, when we reward a certain behavior, the child is more likely to repeat that behavior.
In other words, when we reinforce a child's good, positive behaviors, those behaviors increase. Similarly, when we do not encourage certain inappropriate behaviors, those behaviors gradually decrease, and sometimes disappear completely.
ABA therapy can help a child with autism with things like:
- Improve social connections and interactions.
- Learn new skills.
- Increase good, positive behaviors.
- Reduce challenging and problematic behaviors.
Research has shown that ABA therapy has a positive impact on children's socialization, communication skills, and expressive language. Some studies have shown that providing ABA therapy for more than 20 hours per week in the first few years of a child's life (especially before age 4) can lead to significant improvements in a child's development and reduce the likelihood of needing special services later in life.
What actually happens during an ABA therapy session?
When your child begins ABA therapy, he or she will first meet with a behavior analyst who specializes in this field. We call them a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He or she will first assess your child's needs and abilities.
After getting to know the child well and understanding his or her abilities, an individual treatment plan is created for that child . This plan clearly states what behaviors are being targeted and what needs to be improved.
Your child's ABA therapist uses a variety of methods and techniques depending on the child's needs and the behavior they are targeting.
What are the main methods used in ABA therapy?
Therapists use a variety of techniques in ABA therapy. Here are some of the main ones. Understanding the differences between them will help you better understand this therapy.
| Treatment method | Simply put, | How it happens |
|---|---|---|
| Discrete Trial Training (DTT) | Structured, step-by-step teaching | The therapist sits with the child one-on-one, breaks down a task into small steps, and teaches them one by one. They encourage them when they do the right thing. This is very systematic. Most of the time, the activities are done sitting at a table. |
| Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) | Learning through play | This is not as structured as DTT. Here, the child's preferences and interests are given priority. When the child starts a game that he likes, the therapist joins in and teaches targeted skills through it. Even rewards are associated with the game. (For example, if the child places a few blocks correctly, they are allowed to break them). |
| Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) | A combination of both methods | This uses play-based activities like PRT. However, where necessary, systematic teaching methods like DTT are used. Attempts are made to accomplish multiple goals within a single activity. (For example, recognizing shapes and developing fine motor skills while building a puzzle). |
Importantly, in the past, ABA therapy used punishment for misbehavior. But that is no longer an accepted method. Today's ABA therapy is based entirely on positive reinforcement.
Misconceptions and the truth about ABA therapy
There are different opinions in society about ABA therapy. Some of them are misunderstandings. Let's talk about that a little bit.
| Wrong opinion | True story |
|---|---|
| ABA attempts to "normalize" children, to turn them into robots that behave like everyone else. | No. The main goal of ABA therapy is to develop socially significant behaviors that affect the child's safety, learning, and social life. It is not about trying to make the child a different person. |
| This is like training animals. | ABA is based on the science of learning and behavior. While the concept of positive reinforcement can also be used in animal training, ABA therapy for humans is used to teach a child important life skills and behaviors. |
| ABA focuses only on behavioral problems. | It's true that it tries to reduce problematic behaviors. But an effective ABA program does this by teaching functional alternatives to those behaviors and increasing positive behaviors. |
| ABA is a form of bribery that pays children to be "good kids." | This is a misconception. In positive reinforcement, you tell your child in advance what is expected and what you will get in return. Bribery is when a child is already engaged in inappropriate behavior and you offer them something to stop it. The two are completely different. |
How long will my child need ABA therapy?
How long your child will need ABA therapy depends on several factors. Every child is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all time frame. Once your child starts working with a therapist, they will be able to give you an idea of how long your child will need.
The therapist considers the type of treatment used, the amount of help the child needs, and how quickly the child is developing.
When your child is diagnosed with autism, you may be overwhelmed. You want to do the best you can for your child. But with so many treatment options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one to choose.
The best person to talk to at this time is your child's doctor . Talk to them about your options and decide if ABA therapy is right for your child.
Through ABA therapy, your child can receive great help in managing their behavior, learning new things, and even reducing the likelihood of needing special services in the future.
Take-Home Message
- ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a scientific treatment method that encourages positive behaviors and reduces challenging behaviors in children with autism and other developmental disorders.
- This treatment is tailored to each child, according to an individualized plan tailored to that child's needs and abilities.
- Various methods are used in ABA therapy, such as DTT (structured), PRT (play-based), and ESDM (mixed method).
- There is no punishment in current ABA therapy. It is based entirely on positive reinforcement.
- Always discuss with your child's doctor whether ABA therapy is right for your child and for more details.
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