ABA Therapy Archives - Positive Behavioral Connections

Understanding Functions of Behavior

“Why does my child do that?” For parents of a child with autism, this frequent question can have important implications. Behavior is never just about the behavior. Although it’s tempting to focus on how your child’s behavior manifests, it’s critical to look deeper and understand the reasons why the behavior exists. Understanding those reasons is the first step in understanding how to change that behavior and produce the results you seek. Fortunately, there is a framework for identifying the purpose behind your child’s behavior so we can develop the right approach. What Are “Functions of Behavior”? Functions of behavior…

As parents with newly diagnosed children review the steps involved in the Applied Behavior Analysis therapy model, parents often begin to wonder how many hours will be involved in a typical ABA treatment plan. As with many broad questions like this, the answer is simply, “It depends.” For a child over the age of three, if the goal is to remediate skills – that is, to help close the gap between the child’s actual developmental level and the typical level for the child’s chronological age – 30 to 40 hours of intervention per week is typically recommended. For a child…

For parents coming upon autism therapy for the first time, the alphabet soup of acronyms can be disorienting. The VB-MAPP is one such acronym that plays a crucial role in ABA therapy, which is why we’ve put together this brief overview to help answer some common questions. VB-MAPP stands for Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program. It’s one of the most comprehensive assessment and skill-tracking tools our field has for skills in the 0- to 48-month old level, and it helps us develop an appropriate curriculum that is tailored for that child’s specific needs. What is the VB-MAPP? The…

As you begin to research options for autism treatment provider, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider as you make this incredibly important decision. What are your “must haves”? You are going to have a long-term relationship with the autism treatment provider you choose. It’s critical that this be a good match – for the both of you. Stop and take a good hard look at your child’s needs, your family’s goals and your overall circumstances. For example, you might prioritize that your child is seen at a specific time. Your circumstances…

When your child first starts to receive ABA therapy, you may be surprised by how many people are involved in your child’s treatment. This model, called “tiered delivery,” helps to ensure that your child’s treatment plan is developed and implemented in the most efficient, effective way possible. Here’s a look at the different service providers who may be involved: ABA Therapy Behavioral Technicians This person does the lion’s share of the work with your child, under the direct supervision of the BCBA. There may be multiple behavioral technicians involved in your child’s care. These individuals are responsible for implementing all…

When you first receive an autism diagnosis, your emotions may be all over the place. You may feel relief. Or shame. Your mind may immediately go to the worst case scenario: “Will my son ever talk?” Or you might be inclined to dismiss the diagnosis altogether: “My daughter is fine; she doesn’t need special treatment.” Or you may simply pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself, “Okay … What do I do now?” All of these reactions are normal. But wherever you find yourself emotionally, you’ll be in the best position to help your child if you take a…

As you begin to research Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), you may be wondering what exactly is involved in this type of therapy. Here are some of the most common Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teaching methods that we employ at Positive Behavioral Connections. Intensive Teaching If a child is unable to work in a group, he or she will need to begin with intensive teaching. Intensive teaching is an opportunity to build language, pre-academic and other critical skills – giving the child a more solid foundation before expanding the child’s instructions into group settings or other environments. Many early learners spend…

Page 1 of 1

All posts in ABA Therapy

Understanding Functions of Behavior

Setting the Pace: How Long Does Autism Therapy Take?

The VB-MAPP: An Overview

What to Look for in an Autism Treatment Provider

Overview of ABA Therapy Service Providers

My Child Has Been Diagnosed with Autism. Now What?

ABA Methods: An Overview