Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is designed to help children with neurodiverse conditions develop social and behavioral skills. With this type of therapy, children work with an ABA practitioner in a one-to-one setting.
Children with neurodiverse conditions tend to have challenges with communication, social behaviors, and learning in a classroom setting. ABA therapists help improve social skills for these children by engaging them in activities and interactions based on the principles of learning theory.
At Sunshine Advantage, our practitioners access the latest research-based ABA interventions to ensure the most effective therapy for every child. The self-correcting characteristic of the ABA methodology means that there are frequent measurements of how effective therapy has been for every child. This helps therapists recognize both successes and setbacks so that effective changes can be implemented and followed through.
What sets ABA therapies apart is that success is directly measurable. Every time a teacher or parent successfully utilizes a behavioral technique, the child moves one step closer to achievement.
ABA therapy can take many different forms. ABA is rooted in the principles of behavior therapy, where action and reward are closely related. ABA defines behavior in three parts:
A simplistic example could be when a child finishes eating (antecedent), they need to clear their plate (behavior) to receive praise or other rewards (consequence).
With repeated instances of this sequence, the child recognizes the actions that should follow finishing a meal. ABA uses this principle of reward and consequence to modify maladaptive behaviors and produce positive changes.
ABA therapy can be applied using several techniques. At Sunshine Advantage, our practitioners can use the following techniques to help children on the autism spectrum.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is a type of ABA therapy that focuses on specific, measurable goals in a highly structured, repetitive series of trials. Data is collected during each trial to track progress.
This method is often used to teach new skills, such as language, social interaction, or academic abilities.
When the desired behavior is successfully produced, the child receives praise or a tangible reward as encouragement. With DTT, learning opportunities are structured by the practitioner to follow a system where the child:
Our clinicians use discrete trial training to teach specific skills in a contrived environment. Then, assist the child in generalizing the skills into their natural environment. This means each skill can be maximized and applied in a broader context in familiar surroundings.
Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) is best used for helping children below five. Children often exhibit instances of negative behavior at a young age.
For children below five, their brain is at an early stage of development and may be more receptive to teaching or changing certain behaviors. EIBI can help children with skills that help them cope in life. This includes:
At Sunshine Advantage, children work with a therapist one-on-one or within a small group. EIBI is usually most effective when introduced early and continued weekly for a few years.
Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is a play-based strategy to target “pivotal” child development areas instead of individual behaviors for improvement. PRT has its foundation in the idea that changing critical responses in a child’s behavior can be an impetus for more widespread improvement in other developmental areas.
PRT targets areas such as motivation, self-management, response to multiple cues or prompts, and initiating communication. Motivation acts as the key skill, which then triggers the child’s desire to learn and become socially proficient.
Verbal Behavior Intervention teaches children how to use language to communicate. This type of therapy uses motivation as the fundamental tenet for teaching language to children.
Words are connected to their function. This means that when a child learns a word, they also learn about how it is used. For instance, the word toilet is taught with the action of using the facilities, clearly establishing the connection between the word and the action. The next time the child needs the bathroom, they know what words to use.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET) is a highly effective ABA technique that emphasizes teaching skills within a child's natural environment. This can include the home, school, and community settings. Unlike more structured ABA approaches, NET focuses on capitalizing on naturally occurring opportunities for learning.
This approach to ABA therapy focuses on tapping into a child's natural interests and motivations, making learning more engaging and enjoyable. It is based on the understanding that skills learned in natural settings are more likely to transfer to other environments and situations.
NET promotes social interaction and communication as children learn in the context of everyday activities.
This teaching approach is suitable for children of all ages and abilities. It is particularly beneficial for children who struggle with generalization or motivation in more structured settings. At Sunshine Advantage, our practitioners use NET to design a comprehensive learning plan for children in collaboration with their parents, doctors, and therapists.
At Sunshine Advantage, ABA therapy is used to support children with a variety of neurodiverse conditions, such as autism.
To explore if ABA Therapy can help your child, call Sunshine Advantage at 855-523-2327 or contact us online.
ABA Therapy for Children in NJ, NC, SC, FL & NM
Preschool and afterschool services available in NJ only.
Our mission at Sunshine Advantage is to provide every child in our care with the tools they need to grow and succeed.
