What is Applied Behaviour Analysis?
Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA is a therapy given to children who engage in
challenging behavior or have
delays in reaching their developmental milestones. The therapy is evidence-based and
proven to work and can
be modified as per child’s specific needs & interests. It’s delivered in one-on-one
sessions.
What problem does ABA solve?
We need to understand that children don’t engage in challenging behaviours
deliberately.
There are certain
skills missing in the child which helps him to communicate or cope with the
situation.
The
children who have
developmental delays in the areas of language & speech, social skills, imitation
skills,
play skills, etc,
problem behaviour becomes their only channel to express their unmet needs because
they
only
rely on behaviours
which were previously reinforced. ABA looks after these particular areas of growth.
It
teaches the child
corrective behaviour as well as teaches them daily living skills. Developmentally,
every
child is different,
hence the therapy is designed catering to his/her specific needs.
ABA helps in improving skills
-
Teaches daily living skills
-
Improves language & communication
-
Increases play skills and helps the child socialize
-
Cognitive development
-
Strengthening visual perceptual skills
-
Reduces problem behaviours
-
Boosts academic skills
ABA Is Evidence Based!
The American Psychological Association (APA) considers Applied Behaviour Analysis as
an
evidence-based
practice. ABA is the only therapy that receives reimbursement by insurance companies
in
the United States
for paediatric behavioural disorders. Apart from the USA, it is the standard of care
in
Canada, Australia
and the Middle East. Multiple studies on the effectiveness of ABA have shown
significant
improvements in
daily living skills, increase in communication & language, play skills,
socialization,
and growth in
academic skills among children.
ABA involves parents equally
The biggest benefit of Applied Behavior Analysis is that parents can also take
training
to manage their
child’s behavior. Whatever skills that are taught to the child in a center; parents
can
implement those
practices at home. If parents face any difficulty, they can consult their behavior
analyst or supervisor
in a bi-weekly session.