What is ABA therapy? Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy is a form of therapy that helps those with developmental disabilities overcome behavioral challenges and develop a variety of essential life skills.
What exactly does this entail? How does ABA therapy work? Learn all about ABA therapy in this article.
What Is ABA Therapy?
ABA therapy is the result of decades of research and analysis of human behavior. It was developed in the 1960s to apply this knowledge to autism intervention strategies. Thanks to its established record of decreasing maladaptive behaviors while improving the quality of life for those with autism, it remains widely used to this day.
What is applied behavioral analysis like today? In its modern form, ABA therapy helps those with developmental disabilities learn new skills and replace challenging behaviors with constructive ones.
Positive skills ABA therapy can help develop include:
- Improved focus and attention span
- Better communication and social skills
- The ability to complete daily tasks effectively
Challenging behaviors ABA therapy can help reduce include:
- Temper tantrums
- Aggression
- Self-harm
ABA therapy uses a two-part process to make these behavioral improvements. The first part is identifying the stimuli that cause a challenging behavior—let’s say a schedule change. The second part is teaching better coping mechanisms and more constructive behaviors.
This approach, combining emotional understanding with practical solutions, makes ABA therapy well-suited for children with autism, who may not understand why they have to act a certain way or why a stimulus makes them upset.
How Does ABA Therapy Work?
ABA therapy works by using a variety of techniques known to positively shape behavior, the most common ones being:
- Positive reinforcement: This technique focuses on rewarding good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior. It makes the ABA process much more pleasant and emotionally safe for the client as they learn.
- Discrete trial training (DTT): DTT essentially takes a big idea—let’s say brushing one’s teeth every day—and breaks it down into smaller pieces. It might focus on the motion of brushing teeth, creating habits around tooth brushing, and following a schedule.
- Natural environment teaching (NET): NET focuses on teaching children skills in a setting where they would naturally use those skills. This can be done through play or in-home ABA sessions.
- Prompt fading: This technique slowly takes away prompts to do things so the client will do them on their own. For example, the ABA technician stops reminding the client to brush their teeth, and the client does it on their own without prompting.
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC): AAC is finding other ways to communicate besides talking. These can include facial expressions, writing, drawing, pointing to objects, or using special devices.
Once the ABA intervention plan is created, a behavioral technician will work with the client in daily or weekly one-on-one sessions using a mix of techniques tailored to the individual’s needs.
ABA therapy can happen both at home and in a center—both options have advantages, but one may be better depending on the client’s needs. The most important thing is to build a routine that the client can accept and follow to ensure that progress is made in each session.
Learn more about what to expect from ABA therapy with Spectrum Behavioral Therapies.
Benefits of ABA Therapy
There are many benefits to ABA therapy. Here are some of its biggest strengths.
- Is Evidence-Based
ABA therapy is proven to help those with developmental disabilities—especially autism—overcome behavioral challenges and develop important skills. Decades of research and practice have demonstrated its ability to improve people’s lives.
- Creates Custom Plans
Properly trained ABA therapists create customized plans for their clients since each person has different needs and abilities. This helps ensure the treatment plan and strategies make sense for the individual.
- Improves Behavior
Through its practical interventions, ABA can improve behavior and minimize instances of self-harm, aggression, temper tantrums, and more.
- Strengthens Basic Daily Living Skills
For some clients, daily living tasks can be a significant struggle. ABA therapy can help people develop these skills for an easier and more independent life.
- Improves Social Skills
Socialization is crucial to a happy life, and it’s a skill that many with developmental disabilities struggle with. ABA therapy can develop these social skills by teaching communication, emotional regulation, and social cues—which will help clients express themselves, make friends, and work with others.
- Focuses on Adapting, Not Masking
ABA therapy is about adapting, not masking. It helps people understand why certain things upset them and provides coping mechanisms, which helps them adapt instead of suppressing their reactions.
- Can Be a Family Affair
If needed, ABA therapy allows for family participation. This involves teaching parents to better understand how their child engages with the world, which improves their relationship with their child. It also creates a supportive environment for the child as they learn and grow.
- Can Be Done at Home or in a Center
Depending on the needs of the client, ABA therapy can be done at home or in a center. As mentioned before, each option has its benefits. We’ll recommend which location is best for a child’s progression and continue to evaluate locations as the therapy sessions continue, which helps ensure progress in therapy.
Who Can Benefit from ABA Therapy?
According to the Behavior Analysts Board Certification website, autism is 81.84% of the primary emphasis of Board Certified Behavior Analysts. While the primary focus of ABA therapy tends to be on those with autism, it is also often helpful for those with:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Anxiety
Other contexts that employ ABA therapists include:
- Parent and caregiver training
- Sports and fitness
- Rehabilitation
- Education
It’s also important to note that both children and adults can benefit from ABA therapy. Early intervention is beneficial because children generally learn new skills more easily while their brain develops. However, ABA therapy can be at any age, with many adults reaping the rewards in both personal and professional realms.
Ultimately, anyone who could use help with managing behaviors or improving living skills can benefit from ABA therapy.
Discover Quality ABA Services with Spectrum Behavioral Therapies
Now that you know what ABA is, take the next step. Get quality ABA therapy with Spectrum Behavioral Therapies. We’ll create a customized plan based on your needs and goals.
