Why ABA?
You can read about WHAT Applied Behavior Analysis is here. However, behavior analysts constantly ask “WHY?” Why is this child behaving this way? Why isn’t this intervention achieving our goals? Why are we targeting this behavior?
Now, let’s put ABA itself on the line.
Why should parents invest time and resources in ABA? Give me a minute while I geek out over here. What drew me to this field was the science; ABA is driven by empirical support rather than theory. Every target created for every child includes a measurable independent variable and carefully controlled dependent variables. We can actually SEE outcomes on a graph! Progress is continually measured and modifications are made according to the data. This makes ABA unique as a therapeutic treatment.
Why is ABA therapy effective? You mean besides using data to see measurable progress? There’s a saying that behavior analysts live by: The learner is always right. Behavior analysts take responsibility for the efficacy of their interventions. If a child isn’t learning a skill, we must evaluate our teaching methods and make systematic adjustments until we see desired results. For instance, instead of blaming a child for “not trying,” we incorporate teaching methods to motivate the child or instead of saying, “he’s just not getting it,” we determine what aspect of the new skill must be broken down for more refined teaching. We adapt our teaching methods to fit the child as opposed to expecting a child to adapt to our teaching methods!
Why should I believe you? My confidence in ABA is corroborated by research. In one study, Howard et. al. (2005) compared intensive ABA (25-40 hrs per week) to 2 other “eclectic” treatments: 1) children in special education autism classrooms and 2) children in general special education classrooms. In the “eclectic” groups, if a child’s IEP recommended other therapies (like speech or OT), then the children also received those services. After 14 months of respective treatments, researchers measured changes in test scores in cognitive, language, and adaptive skills. They found that children in the intensive ABA group outperformed children in other “eclectic” interventions in all skill areas. They also found that learning rates at follow-up were much higher with the intensive ABA group, which is important, because it means that kids who receive intensive ABA are more likely to retain skills and catch up to their peers. Additionally, the CDC recommends ABA as an effective treatment for symptoms of autism.
Why should I choose Comprehensive Behavior Development as my ABA provider? We are dedicated to producing a collaborative environment between parents, caregivers, and team members. It is our mission to provide the support needed to promote lasting change for children and their families! Weekly team meetings are scheduled for each child, so that all team members (family and staff) have the opportunity evaluate progress, ask questions, and contribute to goal development. We approach each family with the compassion and care that we would expect for our own family members.