What is ABA therapy?

And how can it change your child’s life?

Applied Behavior Analysis, commonly known as ABA therapy, is an evidence-based approach which is often used to help children with autism develop essential skills and reduce challenging behaviors.

In practice, it’s like a personalized learning program, designed to support your child’s unique needs and help set them up with the skills they need for life.

ABA is commonly used to help children with autism in these areas:

Communication

Finding the most effective methods for your child to express their wants and needs and to interact with others.

Play & leisure

Exploring new areas of interest and activities your child can enjoy independently or with peers.

Social skills

Gaining confidence in approaching social situations and engaging in building relationships.

Behavior

Building tolerance and a toolkit to manage frustration and reduce challenging behaviors like tantrums and aggression.

Daily living skills

Incorporating independence and relying less on assistance with activities like eating, dressing and personal hygiene.

An overview of the ABA process:

Assessment & Goal Setting

Your child receives an individualized care plan based on the goals and needs identified in their in-depth assessment.

Learning & Developing

Regular 1:1 therapy sessions help your child master skills and adaptive behaviors through activities and play.

Progress & Monitoring

Your child learns to integrate their newly acquired skills in a variety of situations and settings while their progress is carefully tracked.

Each child’s ABA treatment plan is uniquely shaped around their individual needs, strengths, preferences, interests, and family dynamics to ensure meaningful, personalized progress.

Who’s who in ABA therapy?

An ABA team usually includes:

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)

Supervised by a BCBA, an RBT implements the treatment plan, working directly with the client in a 1:1 setting.

Your child’s RBT will help them reduce challenging behaviors and acquire new skills during interactive sessions customized to your child’s needs and preferences.

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)

Armed with a degree in behavior analysis and extensive clinical experience, a BCBA is responsible for conducting assessments, designing individualized treatment plans and overseeing the implementation of ABA therapy.

Your child’s BCBA will work with you, keeping you updated on your child’s progress and making adjustments to the intervention as needed.

At Akoya, our BCBAs and RBTs are carefully selected for their commitment to quality care and a passion for helping children with autism enjoy a positive and successful ABA experience.

The benefits of ABA therapy

ABA is recognized by the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health as an effective evidence-based approach to autism. ABA is proven to reduce challenging behaviors by identifying their root causes and implementing strategies to replace them.

ABA has become the gold standard for children with ASD because it is:

ABA addresses specific goals via a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s unique strengths and challenges.

ABA therapy incorporates regular assessments of your child’s progress and response to therapy, providing clear indicators of development and success throughout treatment.

ABA encourages active parent participation, providing training and support to reinforce skills at home. Collaboration with other professionals working with your child ensures comprehensive and coordinated care.

ABA therapists help your child apply learned skills to various settings, promoting independence and adaptability in real-life situations.

ABA the Akoya way

Our holistic approach to ABA takes every part of your child’s world into account. Based on your child’s strengths and interests, we’ll work to bring out what they’re truly capable of with a plan which is:

Child-oriented

We create a positive, motivating experience where your child looks forward to each session and actively engages in learning opportunities.

Strength-focused

We build on your child’s strengths, guiding them to integrate new skills and replace challenging behaviors with positive ones.

Family-centered

Parents and caregivers in [location] play an active role in our ABA process, from setting goals to supporting progress with guidance from our team.

Together we can equip your child with the skills they need for life!