ABA Therapy

What is ABA Therapy?

The most notable behavioral intervention for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA is a therapy built around the process of behavior change using reinforcement strategies to both increase and decrease targeted behavior while working to improve socialization, communication, learning skills and other developmental milestones.

ABA has been shown to minimize the deficits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and improve the quality of life of individuals with ASD and their family. With hundreds of peer-reviewed studies, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has become the standard of care for the early intervention treatment of ASD.

The “ABCs” of ABA

The key to understanding ABA and how we can reinforce and shape behavior is understanding the ABCs of ABA.

A – Antecedents: Antecedents are events that occur before a behavior.

B – Behavior: Behavior is an observable and measurable action. Behavior does not refer to challenging behavior only. For example, eating, yelling, and smiling are all behaviors.

C – Consequences: Consequences are events that follow a behavior. Consequences can be negative or positive.

Let’s work through an example. Imagine a scenario where a child cries to get a cookie. When they cry, the child is given a cookie. In this example, the crying is the antecedent that precedes the behavior of you giving a cookie. Getting the cookie is the positive consequence of that behavior. By shaping the antecedents and consequences, we can change behavior. If the crying is associated with a positive consequence like receiving a cookie, the child is more likely to cry the next time they want a cookie. If crying becomes associated with a negative consequence like not receiving a cookie, over time the child will stop crying in an attempt to gain access to a cookie and begin to find new ways, like communication, to receive the cookie.

Individualized Treatment Plans

After a clinical assessment is conducted, individualized treatment plans are created to meet the specific needs of each child. There is not a “one size fits all” approach to ABA Therapy - each plan is developed with the individual goals for that child and their family. Our policy actively includes family members in the planning and delivery of all services provided. We provide collaborative ABA therapy that focuses on support and guidance for all members of your family.

Location of ABA Services

The location of ABA services can impede or support a child’s growth. That is why we believe in offering services in a variety of settings to best suit your child’s needs. BlueSprig clinical teams base all programming recommendations, including location of ABA services, on assessment, data collection, and observation. We strive to make it convenient for our families to receive the best therapy possible by providing ABA and related services for clients of different ages and symptoms, in various settings. Some of these locations of services can include: home-based, center-based, community-based, school- based and virtual therapy.

Treatment of ASD

There is currently no cure for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), however research shows that early intervention treatment can significantly reduce symptoms and improve functional skills in children with ASD. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Research Council, behavioral and communication interventions have been shown to be effective in the treatment of young children with ASD.

Taking the Next Steps

ABA Therapy is a safe and proven therapy that is developed and implemented by highly skilled and qualified staff at every BlueSprig family of companies location. Progress and results are continually being tracked, recorded and analyzed by the team, so any necessary changes can be made to ensure the best results are achieved for each child.
If you think ABA Therapy may be best for your child who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, reach out to one of our centers and our dedicated team is ready to support you in this journey.