Applied Behaviour Analysis - Autism Therapy

Applied behavior analysis is defined as the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theory to improve socially significant behaviours to a meaningful degree, and to demonstrate that the interventions employed are responsible for the changes in behaviour. (Baer, Wolfe and Risley, 1968)

ABA, applied behavioral analysis, is simply the application of behavioral principles, to everyday situations, that will, over time, increase or decrease targeted behaviors. ABA has been used to help individuals acquire many different skills, such as language skills, self-help skills, and play skills; in addition, these principles can help to decrease maladaptive behaviors such as aggression, self-stimulatory behaviors, and self-injury.

 ABA is a discipline that employs objective data to drive decision-making about an individual’s program. That is, data is collected on responses made by the individual to determine if progress is being made or not; if there is no progress under a particular intervention, we need to reevaluate the program and change it so that the child begins to make progress.

If it is a behavior, and it can be observed, ABA principles exist that can be used to either increase or decrease that behavior.  As a discipline, ABA providers are charged with the improvement of socially significant behaviors. Socially significant behaviors include communication, social skills, academics, reading and adaptive living skills such as gross and fine motor skills, toileting, dressing, eating, personal self-care, domestic skills, and work skills.

• Based on the assessment of your child's needs, we will develop a program that is specific to them
• This program may include communication skills like requesting items(mand), labelling items(tact), conversational skills(intraverbal). If your child is not vocal, we will teach an alternative method of communication like PECS® (Picture Exchange Communications System) or Protoquo® to go using an ipad or other such device.
• Self help skills - dressing, toileting, feeding etc. 
• Motor imitation and other play skills like turn taking to help develop social interaction.
• Eye contact - which is crucial for social communication.
• Listener skills - following directions, responding to others, making discriminations

Again, each program will be geared toward the areas where your child needs help. Together we will decide on the goals that are relevant to your child and your family's needs.

 Well, that depends on many different factors.  Including but not limited to the results of the assessment, the age of your child at the onset of treatment etc. But the recommended minimum level of intensity of treatment is 20 hours per week, programs can go up to 40 hours per week if necessary.    After an assessment of your child's needs, we can work together to set goals that are appropriate for your child. Based on that assessment and goal setting - we will come to a recommended number of hours per week for the programming.