About ABA Therapy

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an effective method of therapy based on the science of learning and behavior in a child’s natural setting. ABA is an evidence-based program, designed to decrease difficult behaviors and increase positive ones. Therapy programs involve a 1:1 ratio – one paraprofessional to one client - designed specific to each individual child.

The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association have endorsed ABA for the treatment of children on the Autism spectrum, and ABA therapy is now covered by most insurance companies – including MassHealth.

Generalization

Generalization in ABA therapy refers to the situation when a skill learned in one setting then gets applied, or is carried over, to another. For example, generalization occurs when a skill learned in the presence of one staff member is demonstrated with a different staff member, or when a skill learned in one particular environment is then demonstrated successfully in a different one. This requires specific training for our autistic clients, but is highly achievable. Autism Allies staff are expert in assessing the tolerance level of each child so that pacing is appropriate in order to both reduce frustration and to achieve measured, systematic progress. 

Social Skills

Social skills training is critical for autistic children, as the nuances of human interaction taken for granted by most of their peers can be difficult for them. Interpretation of verbal and non-verbal signals such as eye contact, facial cues, and light and casual conversation are not second nature to them. So teaching them to process these and practice one-on-one personal interactions is key to their social success. Autism Allies accomplishes these goals in both group and one-on-one instruction.

Our program is designed to provide our clients with the tools they need to interpret “hidden” social cues and understand social conventions. Individual treatment plan goals are embedded into group activities and projects to maximize generalization and maintenance of skills. 

Each group session is facilitated by our program coordinator and is overseen by a board-certified behavior analyst. In addition, all groups include age-appropriate neurotypical peer mentors who’ve been taught using a specific peer modeling curriculum. As they model good skills themselves, our clients learn from them and respond in kind. Research supports this peer-to-peer approach and reports a higher rate of success than by using adults for the same purpose. Plus, our peer models make good friends for them, as autistic children often have difficulty forging peer relationships.

The purpose of our social skills groups is to guide and support children in th Play Skills

Play skills are another matter of concern for families with autistic children, and Autism Allies uses a group format designed to provide our children with the tools they need to interpret “hidden” social cues and understand social conventions. Individual treatment plan goals are embedded into group activities and projects to maximize generalization and maintenance of skills.

Each group session is facilitated by our program coordinator and overseen by a board-certified behavior analyst. In addition, all groups include age-appropriate neurotypical peer mentors who’ve been taught using a specific peer modeling curriculum. As they model good skills themselves, our clients learn from them and respond in kind. Research supports this peer-to-peer approach and reports a higher rate of success than by using adults for the same purpose. Plus, our peer models make good friends for them, as autistic children often have difficulty forging relationships with other children their same age

Self-Help Skills

Teaching basic self-help skills to autistic children is critical to their normal, everyday functioning and to the overall flow of the family household. Dressing, washing hands, and brushing teeth are examples of self-help skills that are delayed in autistic children but which can be successfully taught using the ABA method. By systematically breaking down the functions which compose each skill, and adding one to the other in turn, progress is made. In order to ensure maximum success, clinicians are careful to move ahead at the pace that is tolerable to the individual child. As more and more skills are added to their repertoire, the satisfaction for parent and child alike is great indeed!

Precision Teaching

One of the key elements of ABA therapy is Precision Teaching. This is a system that uses precise measurements and data to inform the instruction. The concept of frequency is key in this approach - frequency as defined by the number of times a particular behavior occurs, or is counted during a specific time interval, and for accuracy’s sake, the shorter the interval the better. The number that results allows the instructor to assess the manner and the speed at which that particular skill is taught. Clinicians use something called a Standard Celeration Chart (SCC) to quantitatively and visually display the data.

Fluency-Based Instruction

A second key element of ABA therapy is fluency instruction. Not only should our clients learn to perform the task or skill well, but should carry it out with sufficient speed. Skills which are truly mastered are those performed effortlessly or as second nature, so even a skill that is performed well can be lost over time if the client fails to perform it fast enough for a sufficient number of repetitions. Poor academic and social outcomes often result. Autism Allies’ clinicians are aware that both accuracy and speed are necessary for both the long and short-term success of our clients, so we aim for excellence in both areas!

Naturalistic ABA Services

In contrast to ABA therapy carried out in more conventional settings, naturalistic ABA services happen in the everyday settings common to that particular child and utilize toys and other items the child may naturally be drawn to or interested in. In this way, the instructor follows the child’s lead, teaching occurring within the context the child has chosen, while the analytical principles of ABA remain the same. Naturalistic ABA services are generally less structured, with learning taking place outdoors, on tables, desks, floors, etcetera.

Call Autism Allies today to learn more about our wide variety of in-home, center-based, and virtual ABA Therapy services!