What is ABA Therapy?
Written by Mariah Speranza, Psychology Assistant with a keen interest and training in ABA.
Applied Behavioural Analysis can be briefly described as a process which utilises the child’s interests as motivation to progress, therefore, it is based on positive reinforcers. It allows us to understand the behaviour, its function and how the environment might be contributing to its maintenance. It includes various techniques to help teach new skills and replace/change behaviours.
Reinforcers are encouragements which strengthen behaviour and are distributed in multiple manners, such as favourite toys and activities. Most reinforcements in ABA are presented through a natural learning approach for easier generalisation. ABA is frequently opted for as a common intervention option for autistic children and other children who may be struggling with social or self-help skills from other populations.
When attempting to teach new skills and behaviours, a functional assessment is conducted by a Behaviour Analyst to identify what is triggering the problematic behaviour. A functional assessment includes understanding what might be maintaining the behaviour, such as the consequences following the behaviour. A common result is the misinterpretation of communication and the child’s frustration regarding the inability to communicate efficiently. ABA approaches such frustration, and replaces it with more socially appropriate behaviours by introducing new skills to tackle a functional and healthy way for the child to communicate.
Some approaches may benefit some children more than others, hence, diverse ABA techniques have been developed in the communicative disability field. The rewards, described as reinforcements, are identified with caregivers and can be used in the absence of the therapist for consistency and immediacy which facilitate behaviour reinforcement. Family reinforcement must remain consistent with the therapist’s techniques, so the caregivers follow these collaborative methods and adopt them as the norm of parenting. Additionally, daily home life assists the goal of generalisation through the different everyday situations which may all be less predictable and structured in comparison to a clinic setting. Naturally, caregivers would be guided by the Behavioural Therapist and regular sessions would be conducted to support the treatment.
“Family reinforcement must remain consistent with the therapist’s techniques, so the caregivers follow these collaborative methods and adopt them as the norm of parenting.”
As in all cases, children’s needs are assessed on a case by case basis and we are here to help in the best way we can, offering a variety of approaches that would best suit the child and caregivers.
In case of any questions, we are here to help!