Do you want to know what is applied behavioral analysis and how it works? You are one the right place. Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), also known as ABA therapy, is a therapeutic intervention that emphasizes rectifying developmental impairments and enhancing learning, communication, and social skills, especially in children. This therapy includes tactically-developed reinforcement techniques and is based on behavioral and learning psychology.
ABA therapy has been employed for many years to address a variety of health problems, particularly those that are linked to cognitive activities, such as:
- Phobias
- Dementia
- Abuse of drugs and alcohol
- Brain injury rehabilitation
- Anger problems
- Management of organizational behavior
- Eating Disorders
- Personality Disorder (BPD)
Aside from that, ABA therapy is used to address a variety of other developmental disorders. However, this therapy is thought to be more effective and beneficial when it comes to children or individuals with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Experts acknowledge ABA therapy to be a gold standard treatment option for the development of children and people with ASD.
This post will go over Applied Behavioral Therapy in detail, including how ABA works and how helpful it is for the development of your child. But, before we go any further, it’s crucial to understand what an autism spectrum disorder that ABA therapy can fix.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a spectrum of neurological and developmental disorders that typically take place in early childhood. Simply put, it is a developmental disorder in which the brain does not fully grow, resulting in difficulties with socialization, learning, and communication.
Despite the fact that it is not a life-threatening disorder, it has a significant impact on patients’ daily life. In every aspect of life, the patients experience difficulties in expressing, engaging, and socializing with others. They feel despondent since society, with the exception of their family, frequently ignores them. They can even become a source of ridicule at times. They have a very difficult and demanding life.
Patients with ASD can be identified by their behavior in their early childhood. But, because there is no clinical diagnosis for this developmental issue, diagnosing them might be difficult. However, center-based ABA therapy is thought to be highly helpful in diagnosing the problem.
What is Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy?
Want to know what is applied behavioral analysis? Well, it is a behavioral and interpersonal therapy that works to improve speech, cognition, interaction, and social skills, as already stated. Children and people with Autism Spectrum Disorder are the focus of this therapy.
Unlike the older version of ABA: behavior modification, this version is a flexible and applied form of therapy that can be tailored to a patient’s specific requirements and goals. As a result, this psychosocial intervention has a very high rate of success.
How Does ABA Therapy Work?
ABA therapy is a multi-phased intervention carried out by professional ABA therapists. It is tailored to each patient’s specific needs, capabilities, and goals. The therapists can conduct ABA therapy sessions in a variety of settings, including a clinic, your house, or school, depending on what is most convenient for your child. And these sessions could be conducted one-on-one or in groups.
It all begins when you speak to an ABA therapist and discuss your child’s developmental problem with him the very first time. Consultation and evaluation are the terms that can be used to describe this phase.
Consultation and Evaluation
This is the initial stage of center-based ABA therapy, during which therapists listen to your concerns and learn about your needs and desired outcomes. This stage is not limited to one or two encounters but can include a number of meetings and trips.
The therapist may ask you a number of questions about your child’s behavior, approach, mood, and involvement in various activities. They will also interact one-on-one with your child to closely examine his behavior and reactions to various scenarios. They will also conduct visits to your house and your child’s school to see how he reacts to various scenarios that he encounters on a daily basis. This step is also known as functional behavior assessment because it involves behavior assessment.
This entire procedure aids therapists in learning about your child’s behavior, social skills, strengths, weakness, and capabilities.
Creating a Treatment Strategy
The therapists develop a treatment strategy based on their findings from the first phase in the second phase. This strategy should be tailored to your child’s specific requirements and objectives.
The major goals of the treatment plan are to reduce abnormal behaviors like tantrums and to improve social, cognitive, and communication skills.
Therapists may employ a variety of strategies to help your child with his or her developmental disorder. If you want to know what are those and what is applied behavior analysis therapy, here are those:
- Discrete Trial Training- While using this intervention, therapists focus on educating the various skills of your child through organized processes involving rewards. For instance, a therapist may ask your child to perform a specific interaction with somebody. If your child does this correctly, he will be rewarded. The reward could be something that means something to your child as a reward. If your child fails to perform it correctly, he will be required to repeat the task.
- The Denver Early Start Model- This model incorporates development and learning through a variety of play-based activities. Your child will be asked to participate in a play-based activity, such as completing a puzzle or performing a block or board game, by the therapist. They will also get involved to make it more fun and beneficial for your child.
- Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)- The EIBI intervention is developed for children under the age of five. It focuses on social, interpersonal, cognitive, and conversational skills development and improvement.
- Caregiver Training- ABA is simply inadequate to provide a diagnosis to children with developmental disorders unless it is integrated into your child’s everyday life. The reinforcement tactics established for your child’s treatment are taught to you and your child’s teachers during caregiver training.
Progress Evaluation on a Regular Basis
Once your child’s therapy begins, the therapists will constantly monitor his or her progress and review it on a regular basis. This aids in the implementation of significant adjustments to the treatment plan in order to make it more successful and efficient.
How Much Does ABA Therapy Cost?
The cost of ABA therapy is determined by a variety of factors, including:
- The requirements of your child.
- The abilities of your child.
- The clinic or a health organization selected by you.
- Qualifications, skills, and experience of the therapist who will be working with your child.
- The location of the clinic you’ve chosen.
- ABA program that your therapist recommends or that you choose.
- The duration of the therapy.
One hour of ABA therapy that you receive from a certified and qualified therapist costs about $120. This may differ depending on the aforementioned criteria. On the other hand, the same therapy provided by a non-qualified therapist is significantly less expensive than that provided by a certified therapist.
For most people, the cost for ABA therapy could be very expensive. However, there are a few ways you can cut down your ABA expenses. Those include:
Insurance- Some health insurance coverages can cover a part of the entire cost of your child’s ABA therapy. Speak to your insurance provider about the same.
Schools- Some schools provide funds for ABA therapies. You must utilize them.
Financial Assistance- Many ABA and Autism centers provide scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. Talk to them about the same.
To know more about how much does ABA therapy cost, consult your therapist.
Final Thought
For children and adults with a variety of developmental issues, ABA therapy can be a useful therapeutic choice. It aids in the reduction of developmental disabilities as well as the improvement and enhancement of communication, learning, and social skills. Now, we hope you know what is applied behavioral analysis therapy and how it works.
