{"id":3251,"date":"2021-12-01T16:58:35","date_gmt":"2021-12-01T16:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/empiriantherapy.com\/?p=3251"},"modified":"2022-10-31T09:13:05","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T09:13:05","slug":"what-is-aba-really-will-it-help-my-kid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/empiriantherapy.com\/what-is-aba-really-will-it-help-my-kid\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is ABA, Really?
Will It Help My Kid?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When a child is struggling, there are a lot of terms that get thrown at already nervous parents. Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cognitive Testing. Applied Behavior Analysis. Language Processing Disorder. It may seem scary\u2014but mostly that’s because those terms are just not familiar or explained well.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re reading this you’re probably already feeling overwhelmed like many parents feel when they realize their child needs help. Getting stuck in an avalanche of information can keep you from finding the solution. The research on behavior interventions states that caregivers\u2019 adherence to the behavior plan improves the outcomes, and being informed is the first step to being adherent. Below we will explain ABA therapy and shine a light on this ever-growing and evolving form of therapy that is helping thousands of children overcome their obstacles.<\/p>\n

What is ABA, really?
\n<\/b>Before we talk about how ABA therapy can benefit your child, we have to understand what it is. The acronym itself stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA involves using the science of behavior to solve real-life problems. All behavior is a product of multiple factors and the environment surrounding the behavior. ABA aims to analyze and change those factors, leading to desired changes in behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n

The building blocks of ABA are the ABCs of behavior: Antecedent (A) Behavior (B) and Consequence (C).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Antecedents are the setting and\/or circumstances that exist before the behavior occurs.<\/b> Antecedents include the immediate environment, instructions, as well as motivations (such as hunger, thirst, lack of attention) and prompts (gestural, verbal and physical cues to assist in task completion).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Behavior is any action performed by a person.<\/b> It can be overt\u2014able to be noticed by others, or covert\u2014invisible to others (such as with thoughts or feelings)<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Consequences are events that follow behavior. <\/b>Events that immediately follow a behavior affect the likelihood of the person engaging in that behavior in the future.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How will ABA therapy help my child?
    \n<\/b>Behavior analysts observe and examine the ABCs and make changes to the antecedents and\/or consequences, to change behavior<\/span>\u2014either to teach or increase behaviors that are constructive, or decrease behaviors that impact learning and relationships. Throughout treatment, ABA therapists take data, analyze that data to determine if a behavior has increased or decreased to the desired level, and make adjustments based on the data analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Who can get ABA therapy?
    \n<\/b>ABA was first used<\/span>\u2014and therefore most often used<\/span>\u2014with people with autism and intellectual disabilities, but because ABA is based on the science of behavior, it can be used to improve the life of any person, whether or not they have a diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Other areas in which ABA can help include:<\/b><\/p>\n