How is an ABA intervention implemented?
ABA involves breaking complex skills down into a series of very small components that build upon one another. Initially, children may work on very simple skills such as eye contact and imitation, if they lack these skills. Other skills are more complex such as maintaining conversation and determining how others feel. The skills taught, as well as the methods used to teach those skills, are highly individualized.
The child is reinforced when he or she displays each task successfully. Reinforcers can include a variety of items and events such as brief presentations of toys, TV, hugs, praise, tickles or small bites of snacks. The teacher initially assists the child in being successful by “prompting” a correct response. Then, over time, the prompts are gradually removed until the child can perform the task independently. Data are taken on each skill to ensure that progress is occurring.
As most children with autism exhibit some inappropriate behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injurious behavior, excessive tantrums), steps are taken to reduce those behaviors. First, the teaching protocol is implemented in ways that decrease behavior for that particular child (e.g., more frequent breaks, reinforcing appropriate attending, mixing tasks that are easy and difficult for the child). Then, a consequence such as time-out, redirection, or ignoring the behavior is consistently used each time the behavior occurs.
An ABA program is typically about 15-25 hours of structured learning per week. Teaching usually takes place in the home, although it can also take place in school or community locations. Parents and tutors (frequently college students, hired by the parents) are taught to implement the intervention with the help of a behavior analyst who regularly provides individualized training and adjusts the teaching strategies and skills taught to best meet the child’s needs. Qualified behavior analysts typically are “Board Certified Behavior Analysts”, a certification which requires a Masters or Doctoral Degree, in addition to several hours of supervised or mentored work as a Behavior Analyst. Parents are very involved as they must help the child to extend skills taught within structured teaching sessions to other settings and situations.
During the first hour or two of a team meeting, the tutor(s) will work with your child. At the end of the meeting, the entire team sits down together and takes notes for the upcoming week. This part of the meeting allows time for tutors and parents to receive instruction and ask questions regarding new programs, how to monitor progress and make necessary changes such that the child may continue to acquire new skills as quickly as possible.
The child is reinforced when he or she displays each task successfully. Reinforcers can include a variety of items and events such as brief presentations of toys, TV, hugs, praise, tickles or small bites of snacks. The teacher initially assists the child in being successful by “prompting” a correct response. Then, over time, the prompts are gradually removed until the child can perform the task independently. Data are taken on each skill to ensure that progress is occurring.
As most children with autism exhibit some inappropriate behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injurious behavior, excessive tantrums), steps are taken to reduce those behaviors. First, the teaching protocol is implemented in ways that decrease behavior for that particular child (e.g., more frequent breaks, reinforcing appropriate attending, mixing tasks that are easy and difficult for the child). Then, a consequence such as time-out, redirection, or ignoring the behavior is consistently used each time the behavior occurs.
An ABA program is typically about 15-25 hours of structured learning per week. Teaching usually takes place in the home, although it can also take place in school or community locations. Parents and tutors (frequently college students, hired by the parents) are taught to implement the intervention with the help of a behavior analyst who regularly provides individualized training and adjusts the teaching strategies and skills taught to best meet the child’s needs. Qualified behavior analysts typically are “Board Certified Behavior Analysts”, a certification which requires a Masters or Doctoral Degree, in addition to several hours of supervised or mentored work as a Behavior Analyst. Parents are very involved as they must help the child to extend skills taught within structured teaching sessions to other settings and situations.
During the first hour or two of a team meeting, the tutor(s) will work with your child. At the end of the meeting, the entire team sits down together and takes notes for the upcoming week. This part of the meeting allows time for tutors and parents to receive instruction and ask questions regarding new programs, how to monitor progress and make necessary changes such that the child may continue to acquire new skills as quickly as possible.
