FAQ

*ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. It is a service that can help children with Autism and other developmental disabilities learn new skills. Even though it has the word “behavior” in the title, ABA is not just a service to work on behaviors…although most children (and many of us adults, too) have some undesired behaviors to work on. Here are some of the things that an ABA provider can work on with your child:

#1 Language skills (talking, answering questions)

#2 Social skills (playing with other children, interacting with family, and understanding the world around us)

#3 Self-help skills (dressing, eating, brushing teeth, going potty, etc.)

#4 Undesired behavior (melt-downs, hurting him/herself, hurting others, etc).

Children with Autism or other developmental disabilities such as intellectual disability.

As early as possible. ABA can start with children as early as the age of 2 (or even younger in some cases)

ABA is designed to be an intensive intervention, which means 30-40 hours per week. While this sounds like a lot of intervention, ABA is designed to help your child get caught up on all of the skills he/she may have trouble with. Your child does not have to receive that many hours if your schedule doesn’t allow that much intervention, but the more intervention we can provide, the better for your child!

* The 30-40 hours per week of intervention might be provided in a clinical office, in the home, or out in the community. Sometimes, ABA services can be provided in the school, but not all insurance plans will allow that.

* The sessions would be scheduled at the same time each week with the same 1:1 ABA therapist.

* The therapist will work on the same skills each session. Sometimes, this feels a bit repetitive, but children in ABA programs learn best when they work on the same skills again and again until it clicks.

* The sessions should be FUN!!! The therapist should play games that your child likes, offer chances to play with favorite toys, go play outside, and so on. You can work with your therapist to understand what your child likes so that ABA sessions are fun for him/her.

* Working through behavioral issues is usually a part of any ABA program. If your child has melt-downs, tantrums, or other undesired behaviors, the therapist will work through those with your child so that your child can learn to make it through his/her days without melt-downs. Sometimes, at the beginning of a new ABA program, your child might cry or have melt-downs as he/she learns to adjust to the new schedule. Don’t panic! Your child will soon figure out what is going on and what is expected and should have a great time learning in the ABA program.