Imagine hearing there is a huge waitlist for your child to be enrolled at an ABA center?  As a parent, you feel defeated and helpless. This article is going to cover ABA therapy activities that parents can easily do at home to help their child with autism. Today, ABA therapy is one of the most

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Emily Ransom, MSE

There is a heated debate within the autism community about Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, its benefits versus negative effects with some people questioning, “Is ABA therapy harmful?” To start, it is important to know what ABA therapy is and what it looks like. ABA therapy helps people understand the behaviors associated with the autistic

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Donnesa McPherson, AAS

There are seven dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis; conceptually systematic may be one that needs a little more explanation… Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a controversial and unfortunately divisive topic in the autism treatment sphere. From parents who believe the behavioral techniques have helped their kids on the spectrum thrive, to autistic adults who feel

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB

Naturalistic teaching is a branch of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy that takes on a more natural approach than the more commonly known discrete trial training. In this article we will discuss what naturalistic teaching is, the different naturalistic procedures and if it supports children with autism.  What is naturalistic teaching? In the early days,

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Erin Bergman, BA

An ABA therapist answers parents’ most pressing questions about ABA therapy. Q. How is a child’s progress measured/monitored in ABA? A. Data collection is critical in ABA therapy, enabling therapists to access behaviors and develop goals and a treatment plan while consistently monitoring progress. A child’s progress is measured and monitored through constant data collection.

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Angela West, MS, BCBA, LBA

JC Ellinger speaks with an autism mom and a behavior therapy provider to offer readers an inside perspective into ABA therapy. “At three and a half my son was barely talking. His speech and social-emotional delays qualified him for developmental preschool with our local school district. E was hypersensitive to noises.  He stimmed a lot

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by JC Ellinger, MBA

Autism Parenting Magazine has revealed more than a third of autism caregivers use an ABA therapy provider to support a child on the spectrum. In a survey sent out by Autism Parenting Magazine (APM) to more than 160,000 email subscribers, over a third of responders confirmed they are using an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

Two academics analyze the nuts and bolts of ABA therapy in the autism community. Behavior analysis incorporates a field, philosophy, and science (Morris, Altus, & Smith, 2013). Experimental analysis of behavior is the science of behaviorism. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the application of that science to human behavior. The early practitioners of ABA described

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Rachel Schwartz, PhD, BCBA-D

Noncontingent reinforcement is a method of behavior modification that is used in applied behavior analysis (ABA) to reduce challenging behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or other developmental disabilities or differences. Noncontingent reinforcement gives continuous access to a reinforcer that is independent of a specific behavior. Noncontingent reinforcement, also known as NCR, is

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Have you ever wondered what life is like for a Behavior Technician? Read on to find out.  Getting to work hands-on in the local autism community as a behavior technician is a rewarding experience for me while working towards finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Child and Family Services. It

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Trigger analysis in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) provides a way for negative or challenging behaviors to be identified and observed.  Trigger analysis can be used by parents with a child, by teachers with a student, or by anyone who wants to monitor challenging behaviors with the goal of intervention to help an individual alter his/her

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

If you’ve heard of ABA, or applied behavioral analysis therapy, then you might have heard of the concept “antecedent interventions”. But what does it mean? Well, the aim of ABA therapy itself is to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder learn to communicate better, increase self and situational awareness, improve self regulation, and alter atypical

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Where can I find ABA therapy near me for my child with autism? If you’re a parent of a child with autism who is demonstrating challenging behavior, or who is in need of some support, you might be considering ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy). Many experts believe early intervention is important for helping children

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

You want your child to make their bed in the morning and brush their teeth before bedtime. You want them to be attentive and fidget less. How do you go about it? You could remind them every day and turn into a “yelly monster,” ground them or take away their privileges. But all that is

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If you are involved with a child with autism one term I am sure you are familiar with through your knowledge, skill, and experience is ABA Therapy. Unfortunately this term comes with a large order of questions. What is ABA Therapy? Do you need to take your child into a specialist center for this type

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Kristina Walsh, BHR

If you’re the parent of a child who has recently been diagnosed with autism, ensuring he/she receives the best support is likely to be at the top of your agenda. ABA therapy, otherwise known as Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, monitors behavioral changes to identify whether a child’s social development and communication skills are progressing while

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a popular therapy model used for changing disruptive behaviors. However, it’s been shown to be particularly effective in the treatment and care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ABA therapy is, at its core, a method of helping children with autism learn rudimentary skills so that they can lead

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy utilized for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are controversial thoughts surrounding this type of therapy, but it has been researched as an evidence-based practice by The American Psychological Association and various studies. There are many forms of therapy that offer more holistic approaches and

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Karla Pretorius, M. Psych and Nanette Botha, BEd

Are you confused about ABA? Applied behavior analysis, also known as ABA, is a type of therapy that is commonly used in children with autism to improve behaviors on a spectrum of different socially significant skills. ABA therapy can be applied to decrease individual behavioral concerns that could be negatively impacting social interactions among peers,

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Carol Tatom, RBT

When school is out for summer, many parents appreciate that their children’s days are no longer consumed with reading, writing, and arithmetic. But for children on the autism spectrum, the changes to their daily routines and structures brought on by summer vacation often present challenges and sometimes even setbacks. Families should certainly take some much-needed

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Braden Josephson, PhD, BCBA-D

Parents are always researching the best therapies and supports for their children on the autism spectrum. In doing so, one of the first options that comes up is likely to be ABA therapy. This approach is designed to help children build life and social skills while adapting challenging behaviors. However, ABA therapy for autism has

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip

After receiving your child’s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you probably felt a flurry of emotions. Perhaps you were shocked, thinking to yourself on the drive home, “but my kid talks.” Perhaps you were relieved, finally having confirmation that your sneaking suspicions about your child’s delays were valid. Whatever you felt, you took the

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Megan Cicolello, MS, BCBA

His life was a routine. His life was a schedule. His life stepped. His day-to-day life was chronological. We evolve into the militant enforcers of a strict routine, a strict schedule, the strict followers of chronological order, and we do not delve from that line. Yet, in the physics of constant movement, in the physics

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Maria Rohan, RN, BSN

People like to be rewarded for a job well done. Rewards can be as simple as a parent praising a child for picking up toys or as significant as getting a promotion after years of dedication and hard work. This reinforcement, known as a part of operant conditioning, helps an individual make an association between

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by William Killion, PhD, BCBA

What constitutes forgiveness and the best pathway to achieving it is one of the most debated topics around. Some argue that in order to forgive, one must forget past transgressions and “take the high road” or “be the bigger person.” Others claim that forgiveness sets you free. What does all this mean and which philosophy

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Meghan Cave, MEd, BCBA, LBA

When not fully understood, applied behavior analysis (ABA) may seem like an overwhelming treatment option for children diagnosed with autism. Many people are unsure what ABA is, what it can do and why it is used. Simply put, ABA is a science that uses reinforcement strategies to increase or decrease socially significant behavior. Based on

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Vanessa Beibide-Zanetich, BCBA, MEd

Learning that your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be very difficult for family members. One of the most important things to remember is that your child is still the same child that he/she was prior to the diagnosis.  As you learn about ASD and begin to use resources and find

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As parents, we are usually the first to discover if our child has autism, a behavioral problem, or a learning disability. We do our very best to help our child overcome whatever he/she is going through but sometimes we just need help. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a great resource that could help kids

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Caryl Anne Crowne

Behavioral interventions such as applied behavior analysis (ABA) have often been criticized for their methods of changing behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) based on the belief that there’s a ”right” way to behave according to society’s expectations.  Although the debate is ongoing, the work of behavioral therapists still remains functional, and many parents

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Katherine G. Hobbs, AA

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) interventions have been proven to be extremely effective for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), increasing their skills and reducing problem behavior (National Autism Center, 2015). There are a variety of ways ABA can be provided, but the way it is often delivered, through intensive 1:1 therapy, has come to be

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Meme Hieneman, PhD, BCBA

I am a broken record when it comes to talking about learned helplessness! I think it is one of the most dangerous and damaging traps that kids or parents can fall into. Learned helplessness may be a term unfamiliar to you as well, so let me give you the basics and 10 practical ways to

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Dr. Debra Moore

Recently Autism Parenting Magazine received a question about an 8-year-old boy with autism who engaged in challenging behavior in a school.  Specifically, a grandparent was worried about the child’s meltdowns which included kicking, hitting and saying some bad words. The person had concerns regarding the effectiveness of what was being done by a Behavior Therapist

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Sarah Kupferschmidt, MA, BCBA

Dr. Stephen Shore once said “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.”  As many of you know, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are now 1 in 68 children living with autism in the United States.  What this means for each child and his/her family

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Sarah Kupferschmidt, MA, BCBA

 Help! I am going to be starting Applied Behavior Analysis for my son who has autism. Can you tell me things to ask and what to look for in an ABA provider? — Jane I am so glad you asked this. Within the autism community there are mixed feelings about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).  But,

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Angelina M., MS, BCBA, LMFT

How do you handle high anxiety of a child on the spectrum? My son is 12 years old and where we live there is a hurricane coming soon. Everyone is talking about it and he is terrified. He gets upset when it rains and he cries because he’s scared. With others he appears angry and

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Angelina M., MS, BCBA, LMFT

A grandfather from Singapore asks… My eldest grandson (age 5) is autistic. His parents work full-time so I am his caretaker.  He is very picky about his food, does not talk, is hyperactive, walks on his toes, has difficulty concentrating, wakes up in the middle of the night, is not potty-trained, and fiddles with his

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Angelina M., MS, BCBA, LMFT

Hi, I am the parent of a 13-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome.  He was unable to cope with school so he now has a tutor come to the house each day for one hour.  He is very withdrawn and this is worse when his tutor comes.  How do I get him to engage with the

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in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Angelina M., MS, BCBA, LMFT