What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy that helps children with autism learn new skills and build greater independence. Therapy is tailored to each child and may focus on communication, social skills, daily routines, and behaviors that make everyday life more challenging.
ABA focuses on understanding how a child learns and what may be influencing their behavior. Therapists then use positive reinforcement, repetition, practice, and other strategies to teach new skills and encourage helpful behaviors. Because every child has different strengths and needs, ABA therapy is individualized around goals that are meaningful for the child and their family.
What Does ABA Therapy Look Like?
ABA therapy is hands-on and often incorporates play, everyday activities, and a child’s interests into treatment. Depending on your child’s age and goals, a session might include practicing how to ask for a favorite toy, taking turns in a game, following directions, transitioning between activities, or completing the steps of a daily routine.
ABA can be used to work on skills such as:
- Communication: Asking for help, expressing wants and needs, answering questions, or using words, gestures, or other forms of communication
- Social skills: Taking turns, sharing, playing alongside or with other children, understanding social cues, or participating in group activities
- Daily living skills: Getting dressed, brushing teeth, toileting, eating, or completing other age-appropriate routines more independently
- Transitions and routines: Moving between activities, following a schedule, preparing for changes, or completing multi-step tasks
- Emotional and behavioral skills: Learning ways to communicate frustration, cope with difficult situations, wait, or respond when something does not go as expected
- Learning and school-readiness skills: Following instructions, participating in group activities, completing tasks, and developing other skills needed for a classroom environment
The specific activities used during therapy will depend on your child’s treatment goals. Skills are practiced over time and in different situations to help your child use what they learn in everyday life.
Our ABA Therapy Services
At Associates in Pediatric Therapy, we provide ABA services for children and young adults up to age 21. Treatment and goals are tailored to each child’s age, developmental level, individual needs, and family priorities. ABA services are available at select APT locations.
We offer two primary types of ABA services:
Focused ABA
Focused ABA is designed for children who need support with specific skills or behaviors rather than intensive support across multiple areas of development. Treatment focuses on a defined set of goals based on your child’s individual needs.
Focused ABA may be a good fit for children who already have strong foundational skills but need additional support in specific areas. Treatment typically ranges from 2–16 hours per week in Indiana and 2–20 hours per week in Kentucky and Tennessee, depending on your child’s individual needs and treatment plan.
School Readiness Program
Our School Readiness Program provides ABA therapy in a preschool-like setting to help children ages 3–5 build skills that can prepare them for preschool and kindergarten. Children attend four-hour sessions, five days per week, for a total of 20 hours per week.
Using ABA strategies, children practice following a classroom schedule, participating in group activities, engaging in social play with peers, and building independence with skills such as toileting. The program gives children opportunities to learn and practice these skills in an environment designed to introduce routines and experiences they may encounter in a classroom.
ABA for Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions
Children with autism may also have other developmental, behavioral, or health conditions. Our ABA team can support children with autism who have co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, intellectual or developmental disabilities, genetic disorders, sleep disorders, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
ABA treatment focuses on behavioral and developmental goals within the scope of ABA therapy. Your child may also receive care from other healthcare professionals for needs that fall outside the scope of ABA.
What to Expect from ABA Therapy
Every child is different, so ABA therapy begins with getting to know your child and your family. One of our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) will meet with you and your child to learn more about your concerns, your child’s strengths and challenges, and the goals that are most important to your family.
From there, your BCBA will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your child’s specific needs and goals. The BCBA oversees your child’s care, monitors progress and adjusts the treatment plan as your child learns new skills and their needs change.
Working With a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
Your child may also work directly with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). RBTs provide hands-on ABA therapy under the direction and supervision of a BCBA. During sessions, your child’s RBT follows the individualized treatment plan developed by the BCBA and helps your child practice specific skills through activities, play, and everyday routines.
RBTs also collect information about your child’s progress during sessions. This helps the BCBA understand which strategies are working, where your child may need additional support, and when treatment goals or strategies should be adjusted.
Parent and Caregiver Training
Parents and caregivers are an important part of helping children use the skills they learn in ABA outside of therapy. Parent and caregiver training gives families practical strategies they can use during everyday routines and situations at home and in the community.
Your BCBA will work with you to better understand your child’s behavior, learn strategies for encouraging new skills, and practice ways to respond to challenging situations. Training may focus on areas like communication, transitions, daily routines, independence, or managing challenging behaviors based on your child’s treatment goals.
Where and How Is ABA Therapy Provided?
Direct ABA therapy is provided in person at our clinic locations. Your child will work face-to-face with their therapy team during ABA sessions.
Teletherapy may be used for BCBA supervision and parent or caregiver training when appropriate. For example, a BCBA may provide remote supervision when they are not at the same clinic location, or parent training may be provided through telehealth when meeting virtually is more convenient, or an in-person meeting is not feasible.
Your care team will work with you to determine the approach that best supports your child’s treatment plan, goals, and individual needs.
ABA as Part of Your Child’s Care
Applied Behavior Analysis is one of the pediatric therapy services available at Associates in Pediatric Therapy. ABA is a distinct service with its own treatment goals and care team and is separate from other services we offer, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.
If your child receives multiple therapies at APT, their providers can coordinate care. ABA team members may collaborate with your child’s occupational, speech, and physical therapists, share relevant updates, and review treatment goals across disciplines. This collaboration can help your child practice and use new skills across different therapies and everyday situations.
When appropriate, our BCBAs and RBTs may also observe your child during other therapy sessions and collaborate with other members of the care team on treatment goals and behavior support strategies.
Get Started with ABA Therapy
Finding the right support for your child can feel like a big decision, and our team is here to help you understand your options. If you think ABA therapy may be a good fit for your child, contact Associates in Pediatric Therapy to learn more about our services, ask questions, and discuss the next steps.
Our team can help you determine whether ABA services are appropriate for your child, find a location near you, and guide you through the process of getting started.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about ABA therapy for your child.
