Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a popular form of therapy for individuals with developmental disorders such as autism. ABA for autism encourages the development and strengthening of socially significant behaviors such as communication, response to stimuli, independent activities and lifestyle habits. It also acts to lessen the frequency and severity of interfering behaviors such as self-harm. ABA is frequently used as an “early intervention” strategy for children with autism, as the program can be altered over time to fit the child’s unique developmental stages. | autism behavior specialist |.

Whether you are looking for ABA for toddlers, school-aged children or teenagers, there are some considerations you should make before deciding which ABA therapy service to go with.

1. Who will be doing the therapy?

ABA therapy can be administered by a number of different people. In fact, for your child to have the best outcome, it can be helpful for many people in their life to follow certain ABA practices. When it comes to the therapy itself, look for services offered by Behavior Interventionists, Behavior Therapists or Board-Certified Behavior Analysts. BCBAs are the most experienced in the field of ABA, as they have had to go through a board certification in order to get their title. Working with a BCBA to develop a program for your child can result in a better outcome than simply incorporating ABA techniques yourself or through your child’s school.

2. Where will the therapy take place?

A great thing about ABA therapy is that is can take place at home, at school, in the community, online, or at a dedicated clinic. Look for services that offer a combination of location options so you can choose the one that is most convenient for your family. If you decide to use an ABA therapy service that is only clinic-based, it may be difficult to make it to all of your appointments. Having some flexibility surrounding the location means you are more likely to stick with it and see better results.

3. What ages do they work with?

ABA can be used with children and adults, but the service you go with should specialize in working with your child’s age group. Some therapy services specifically offer ABA for toddlers and preschoolers, while others focus more on ABA for teens and young adults. Be sure the service you choose has experience and programs in place for your child.

4. What other services do they offer?

Some therapy centers only offer ABA for autism, while others have more resources available for children and their families. If you are looking for more support, seek out ABA clinics that offer social skills groups, IEP development and evaluation, and caregiver training. These institutions may also offer other programs such as networking and support for parents, play groups for toddlers, speech pathology, extracurricular activities and more.

5. What do other families have to say about their services?

Before signing your child up for any ABA service or program, be sure to check their reviews and references. Look for families with children the same age as yours and see what their experience was like. You can also ask them for references if you are having difficulty finding specific feedback online.