Last Updated on December 1, 2020
ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy is considered the best autism therapy available. It has a scientific basis and is designed to help autistic individuals improve their skills and behaviors in many facets of life.
When you seek out professional ABA therapy in Miami, a qualified expert known as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, will oversee the process.
Incorporating ABA Therapy at Home
If you are already working with an ABA therapist, this person may have provided information on some therapy techniques that can be used at home. There are many options out there, but you should always talk to the person providing ABA therapy in Miami before you make any changes.
The therapist can communicate with you about any ideas you have and whether they can be incorporated into the treatment on a professional and home basis.
Understanding ABA Therapy’s Components
ABA therapy is a treatment for children with autism and can improve specific skills and behaviors. This can include chores, social skills, communication, and more. There are three necessary steps in the process, although these things can be repeated many times:
- The person offering ABA therapy in Miami identifies needed skills with the help of a child’s parents.
- When the child acts out the correct behavior or engages in the right skill, they get reinforcement to offer encouragement to continue doing it.
- As time goes on, reinforcement helps a child work on specific skills until the reinforcement is no longer needed.
Incorporating ABA Therapy into the Home Environment
Many of the options for improving behavior and skills through ABA therapy can be done at home. It’s essential to focus on building those skills that are most important. Since each child is different, the right techniques may vary. However, some of the most popular options are listed below:
- Color Matching – With this technique, you can use items around the home that your child is familiar with, such as socks, toys, or crayons. Choose one of the items and then have your child match it with other items that are the same color. As the child improves, you can add new shades to the activity.
- Chair Sitting – This is an easy option to incorporate into a child’s day at times when they need to sit in a chair. For instance, during mealtime, have a seat and ask the child to sit across from and facing you. Make the process fun and be sure you offer praise when the child does what you ask.
- Emotion Identifying – If part of your child’s ABA therapy in Miami relates to regulating emotions, this activity is excellent. Print out some emojis of different emotions and place them face down. Let your child pick one up and then identify what the emotion is.
While these are only a few of the ways you can incorporate ABA therapy in Miami into your home, it gives you an idea of the options.
When you work with your child’s therapist, you can determine other options to keep the ball rolling with improving their skills, even when the therapist isn’t present.