An autism diagnosis can be life-changing for you or your loved one. Suddenly, interventions such as applied behavioral analysis (ABA) and occupational therapy are suggested, and you may have no idea what those are.
Both therapies offer benefits to those with autism. To help with your research, we’ve created this helpful guide exploring occupational therapy vs. ABA, so you can make the best-informed choice for yourself or your loved one.
What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy, also known as OT, is a medical therapy that addresses cognitive, physical, and emotional barriers to performing specific tasks. The goal of OT is to gain or regain independence or improve quality of life. It uses various techniques and activities, tailored to the client’s needs.
OT addresses a client’s motor, social, and communication skills and also assists with sensory processing challenges.
For example, if someone broke their leg, OT could help them strengthen their muscles after recovery so they can go back to running easily. The same could be said for someone with a concussion. OT would work with the client to help them relearn how to do certain tasks they struggle to do post-concussion.
Typically, OT is employed to help those with:
- Physical rehabilitation
- Developmental delays
- Physical disabilities
- Mental health challenges
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Cognitive challenges
Is ABA the Same as OT?
No, ABA is not the same as OT. The two medical interventions share some similarities but enough significant differences to remain two separate therapies.
ABA therapy focuses on human behavior with the goal of reducing maladaptive behaviors and providing coping mechanisms for upsetting stimuli. Compare this to OT’s more task-oriented and skills-building focus.
ABA Therapy vs. Occupational Therapy: Similarities
Both ABA and OT have many similarities, which is often why they are confused for the same intervention.
Primary Goal
ABA therapy and occupational therapy have the same goal: Improve the client’s quality of life and independence. No matter the technique or tools used, a professional ABA or occupational therapist will always have the same client-oriented goal.
Focusing on Patients’ Needs
Both OT and ABA’s approach to care is focused on the client’s needs. This is why both therapies start with an assessment to fully understand the client’s needs. They will ask about goals and struggles and even observe the client to create a tailored plan.
Both types of therapists will also continuously evaluate the client’s progress and adapt plans as needed.
Strategies
ABA and OT have crossover strategies that help their patients:
- Breaking tasks into smaller steps
- The use of visuals to teach
- Reinforcement
- Repetition
- Learning through play
- Hands-on activity
Benefits
Here are the benefits that both OT and ABA provide:
- Improving social skills
- Enhancing communication
- Developing various skills
- Involving families
- Improving independence
- Acquiring new skills
Insurance Coverage
Insurance often covers both ABA and OT. Of course, there are variables such as coverage, the type of insurance you have, etc., but both are considered medically necessary with an autism diagnosis. A recommendation from your primary care physician is significantly helpful in gaining coverage.
Occupational Therapy vs. ABA Therapy: Differences
Here are the key differences between ABA and OT.
Philosophies
Occupational therapy’s foundation is in skill-based improvement and gaining independence. ABA therapy, on the other hand, focuses on human behavior and changing maladaptive behavior to a positive one. While independence and building skills are part of ABA therapy, it’s the goals, not the philosophy.
While neither philosophy is better than the other, it does affect how each therapy operates.
Range of Patients
Occupational therapy is used for a wider range of patients than ABA therapy. ABA focuses on those with developmental or cognitive conditions, while OT includes these individuals and also assists those with physical disabilities.
Session Lengths and Occurrence
OT and ABA are significantly different when it comes to session length and weekly occurrence. ABA therapy can range from 1–5 days a week and last 1–8 hours. OT, on the other hand, is usually a few times a week for anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour.
ABA vs. Occupational Therapy: Visual Comparison
| Element | ABA | OT |
|---|---|---|
| Improve the quality of life and increase independence. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uses visuals, learn through play, small steps, etc., as intervention techniques. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Client-centered approach. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Improves motor, social, and communication skills. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Covered by insurance. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Philosophies. | ✗ Focuses on human behavior. | ✗ Skill-based improvement. |
| Range of patients. | ✗ Assists those with developmental and cognitive challenges. | ✗ Assists those with developmental, cognitive, and physical challenges. |
| Session duration and occurrence. | ✗ 1–5 days a week for 1–8 hours. | ✗ A couple of days a week for 30 mins to one hour. |
Can I Use Both ABA and OT?
Yes, you can use both ABA and OT. In fact, depending on your or your loved one’s needs, it may be the best partnership you could use. Depending on which style of therapy the client responds better to, OT or ABA can take the lead, while the other therapy provides support.
For example, if an autistic child is struggling with motor skills, ABA can create a structure based on how the child behaves, while OT provides specialized play activities that focus on motor skill development.
This can also be done for social, communication, and daily living skills.
The key to a successful co-approach is that both therapy teams communicate openly, collaboratively, and consistently with one another.
How to Choose the Right Therapy for Your Needs
It can be difficult to know which therapeutic approach to start with when you or your loved one is diagnosed with autism. As you can see, both therapies are successful at addressing behaviors and needs, but they have different approaches.
If your needs are more behavioral, such as repetitive actions, social challenges, and maladaptive reactions to certain stimuli, ABA may be the better intervention to start with. Since ABA is based on human behavior, ABA therapists will know which strategies to use after meeting with you or your loved one.
OT may be the better therapy to start with if the challenges include more skill development factors, such as communication, daily living skills, and sensory acclimation.
However, it’s important to note that some ABA and OT practitioners may employ techniques similar to the other therapy, so you may not have to choose.
Is ABA Better than Occupational Therapy?
No, ABA isn’t better than occupational therapy. Both are highly respected therapeutic interventions for those with autism. Rather than being better, it’s a matter of being better suited based on your or your loved one’s needs.
Does My Child Need OT or ABA?
Whether your child needs OT or ABA is a conversation to have with your primary care provider. They know your child best. However, you can consult with occupational and ABA therapists about your child’s needs and ask for their opinion after talking to your primary care provider.
What to Look for in an ABA or Occupational Therapist
Whether you choose an ABA or occupational therapist, you want to ensure you or your loved one is in good hands. Finding a trustworthy practitioner will take time, research, and interviewing various therapy centers.
To make your job a little easier, here are factors to look for in potential therapists:
- Empathy: First and foremost, you need a therapist who is empathetic and compassionate toward you or your loved one. This will inform the strategies they use and who they work with.
- Collaborative spirit: Your ABA/OT therapist should be open to working not only with you, but also with an OT/ABA therapist if it’s needed. Having an ABA/OT therapist who’s open to collaboration will ensure the best care possible is given to you or your loved one.
- Communicative: A high-quality therapist will clearly define the process, starting with the assessment, the intervention plan, and how adaptations will occur as things change. If you struggle to reach your potential therapy for help or appointments, that’s a sign of what will come in the future.
- Wants to include family in the program: Both an ABA and an occupational therapist should want to involve family or caregivers in the program, in addition to the client. If you feel like you’re being shut out, it’s best to move on to the next therapist.
- Positive reviews: You want a therapy center that has positive reviews. If you can’t find any online, ask the center where you can find some.
- Client-focused approach: When your OT/ABA therapist talks about their process, listen to see if it’s a client-first approach. If it feels like the client isn’t the center of focus or that the therapist only focuses on what they think is best, they may not be the right fit.
Being Informed Is the Best Way to Determine Which Therapy Is Best
When deciding whether ABA or OT is the better therapy for you or your loved one, you’re going to see a lot of opinions from professionals and clients alike. However, it’s your opinion that matters the most, and doing research is a great place to start.
If you are searching for a California ABA therapy center that provides compassionate care, reach out to us. We’re happy to discuss your needs and answer any questions you may have before starting the ABA journey.
