At BlueSprig, we value the caregiver and provider relationship.
One of the most important components of Applied Behavior Analysis is caregiver involvement in each child’s ABA therapy and development of skills. This involvement comes in the form of the unconditional love and support that each caregiver has always given, from discussing treatment plans and every step of their child’s program to providing informed consent to treatment and taking part in caregiver collaboration and training.
We prioritize and encourage including families as much as they want to be. Additionally, we recognize that both children and their caregivers feel the effects of day-to-day challenges and triumphs. We make sure that caregivers know from the onset of services that they’re welcome to observe any session they want to, and also that they may actively participate in sessions. Part of their participation is to help generalize the skills that their child is acquiring so that they can use and see them outside of the clinical setting and services.
Research shows that caregiver collaboration and involvement provides the best results in services.
Collaboration provides as many chances as possible to help their child with maintaining the ability to be as independent as possible. At BlueSprig, we ask caregivers to get involved in a session anywhere from one to four times per month. Involvement and collaboration with a child’s caregiver may look like a one-on-one meeting with ABA clinicians to review data, and results, and to consult about anything relating to the client. It may also consist of direct involvement in the client’s ABA therapy session, and working with the clinician or therapist to learn how to achieve some goals in a hands-on manner.
Caregiver involvement in ABA allows us to see and evaluate the progress toward our clients’ short and long-term goals.
It also allows for discussions to happen between the caregiver and clinician regarding programs, and goals, and to revise programs if needed. Additionally, we encourage caregiver collaboration to give caregivers the forum to address any of their questions or concerns to the clinician and to provide training and additional information regarding current programs. When caregivers prioritize involvement with an ABA therapy session, we are able to help them with implementing procedures and targets at home and in their everyday environment so their child continues to thrive beyond therapy.
Regardless of the child, caregiver, or session structure, our primary goal is to facilitate independence and a better quality of life for each and every client we work with. It’s why we are here. It’s why I love my job. And it’s why I love getting to work with clients and their families day in and day out.
Caregiver input helps us shape powerful ABA treatment plans.
At BlueSprig, we always focus on the needs of the child over all else. However, children, and especially young children, are only able to provide a limited view of the challenges they face, the goals they want to achieve, and how therapy has impacted their life so far.
We invite open discussion and input from children during therapy, but we also include observations and input from caregivers in their life. Most notably, we look to parents and teachers to help us determine where the child may be encountering difficulties that prevent them from thriving.
As such, caregivers meet with their child’s clinical staff often. These meetings invite input from caregivers, garner feedback on goal progress, and touch upon priority areas that can form the basis of recommendations for parents and the child alike. Also, we keep caregivers up-to-date on all active treatment targets, including current data and skill mastery.
When designing evidence-based autism treatment plans based on the child’s individualized needs and focus areas, parent participation goals are always a major component. Caregivers are given homework activities to support active treatment targets and generalize mastered skills in the home and community settings.
When caregivers take part in training, they can apply ABA therapy strategies outside of therapy.
All of the tools that ABA therapists use with their clients are tailored to not just the child but the entirety of their experience. For example, caregivers might express a need based on a specific instance or pattern of behavior that draws concern. Clinicians and caregivers can then collaborate to create systems that are workable for that particular family.
Our clinicians always support the caregivers by modeling implementation, coaching the caregiver on implementation, and adjusting the systems as needed based on ongoing feedback. The central objective is to always consider the child’s best interests and to adjust the therapeutic approach based on ongoing feedback and evolving environmental conditions.
Meet Your Child’s Needs Through Collaborative ABA Therapy
Taking a therapeutic approach to managing a child with autism’s quality of life is rarely an easy choice, but it is always the best choice. With their limited maturity and experience, children can only meet clinicians’ recommendations part of the way. It is up to parents and caregivers to bridge the gap and implement those therapeutic strategies in the natural setting. Parents and caregivers can also help customize goals and techniques based on their observations.
We invite everyone in the child’s life to do what they can to make a positive impact. Parents are in the best position to do so, and as such, they offer major structural support in the framework of their child’s therapeutic strategies.
Learn more about how we can help your child succeed and thrive together by viewing our resources for families of children with autism. If you’re interested in ABA therapy for your child with autism, contact us today.