If you have a child with autism or other special needs, they may benefit from applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy.
About 1.5 million American children suffer from autism. ABA therapy is one of the most popular and renowned methods for helping these kids, but it can benefit those with ADHD, anxiety, and other developmental disorders as well.
Today, we’re going to look at 3 types of ABA therapy services so you can determine which is the best for your child. Getting the right treatment for your child is the most important thing in helping them adjust to new situations. Keep reading and learn more about ABA.
1. Comprehensive vs. Focused ABA Therapy Services
The two main types of ABA therapy services are “comprehensive” and “focused.” Which type your child should undergo will depend on their situation and needs.
Comprehensive ABA more closely resembles the original ABA model and is meant for children with more intensive treatment needs to deal with the surrounding environment. As the name states, it involves treatment for hours per day, most days per week, for weeks, months, or years on end.
Some of the time, there will be a supervisor present, in addition to the behavioral technician. It also involves a lot of parent training so that they have the skills to treat the child when therapists aren’t present.
Focused ABA therapy is better suited when the effects of the condition aren’t felt constantly. The therapy is more targeted toward one or two areas where the child is experiencing problems, and it’s only for 10-15 hours per week.
2. In-Home ABA Autism Therapy
In-home ABA training is helpful when the effects of autism are felt more during home routines. The ABA therapist will help your child deal with morning and nighttime routines, eating, sleeping, and coming and going from the home.
Much of the time, these one-on-one sessions are performed in a specific area of the home. It helps a great deal in the weeks and months leading up to enrolling in school to build readiness. If you’ve got concerns about your child’s ability to adapt to a new environment, check it out and see if it helps.
3. Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention
Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is designed for younger children to take a proactive approach to treating their autism. By setting down a foundation of social and behavioral skills early, the idea behind EIBI is to prepare them for learning more complex skills later on.
It requires a structured environment that is designed to decrease the prevalence of certain behaviors. It could either be administered in a one-on-one environment or in small groups of similarly aged children at a center.
Getting Your Child the Right ABA Therapy
These are a few of the main types of ABA therapy, and ensuring you’re getting the right one may require a consultation with a BCBA behavioral analyst. It can take time and a great deal of trial and error to find the right type of ABA therapy. At the end of the day, it’s all worth it so that your child is comfortable and happy in their environment.
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