Applied Behavioral Analysis is a one-on-one, personalize therapy adapted to meet each child‘s unique needs. ABA therapy helps increase behaviors that are positive and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning by using postive reinforcement. ABA therapy can:
increase language/communication skills
improve social interactions
decrease problem behaviors
teach everyday life skills
improve academics/grades
improve motor skills
promote self-care
There is no one-size-fits-all, cookie cutter program. No two autistic people are the same, so each ABA program is customized to teach a child when it is appropriate to have behaviors or to replace negative behaviors with beneficial ones. ABA isn’t a one and done therapy, but it is a great addition to your therapy team or community.
What to Expect
A Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) will assess your child and create their treatment plan. The BCBA may occasionally be involved in a session, but most sessions will be performed by a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT). These professionals are working together to collect data about your child's behavior to better understand what stimuli are causing problem behaviors.
This therapy has a high demand so expect to wait for an availability. Therapists are working with clients one-on-one for sessions that can last several hours. Some insurance plans will not cover ABA therapy.
Controversy
In the world of special needs, ABA can be controversial. Some people feel that you are changing a child's personality or making them too robotic. Much depends upon the therapists that are working directly with your child. If your child connects with them and you are able to from a good relationship with them, your experience will be that much better.
Our Story
We contacted several ABA therapists in our area. After waiting for almost 5 months for an opening, we got a call that a spot had come available for our son. After running our insurance we received the devastating news that insurance would not cover ABA therapy. In our state, insurance plans are not required to cover ABA therapy unless your employer has 50+ employees. Paying out of pocket was impossible for us. The hard truth is this therapy is expensive, and most people don't have that kind of money. Luckily, we found a therapist with availability that would work with us while we worked to get Medicaid coverage for our son.
Our experience with ABA has been wonderful. Our therapists have periodic parent training where we discuss our son's goals and treatment plan. Our son loves his therapists and is excited to go to appointments. He has learned to make eye contact, to use his index finger to point at objects he wants, and follow one step commands. ABA has been a life-changing part of our autism journey.
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