ABA Therapy, Its Benefits And Drawbacks

Gunjan thakurMarch 28, 2022

Applied behaviour analysis therapy (ABA Therapy), a type of therapy, teaches skills and correct behaviour through reinforcement. This is often provided through a professional at Autism Clinic.

Because of its ability to help individuals with autism learn skills and behaviours, many people support ABA. Some people believe that it is too difficult on children and makes them conform to other’s ideas of “normal” behaviour.

This article explains how ABA works and the advantages and disadvantages.

What is ABA Therapy?

ABA therapy is a form of autism therapy that encourages desired behaviour and discourages undesirable behaviour. Therapists use rewards to encourage language and communication.

There are many types of ABA depending on the patient’s goals and age.

Different types of ABA Strategies

Different methods of ABA may be used by different therapists while providing assistance for ABA Therapy. ABA strategies can include:

• Discrete Training: Lovaas breaks down lessons into easy tasks. Positive reinforcement is given for good behaviour.
• Early Start Denver Model: This therapy is for children ages 12 to 48. It includes play and joint activities that help with language, cognitive, social, and other skills.
• Pivotal response training: The main goals of this training are to help children have conversations with other children, to increase their motivation to learn and to monitor their behaviour.
• Early Intensive Behavior Intervention: This therapy is for children younger than five years. It helps to build positive behaviour and decrease unwanted behaviour. One-on-one therapy sessions are conducted with a trained therapist.

Benefits and drawbacks of ABA

Many health professionals recommend ABA for its effectiveness in helping autistic people improve their skills.

The therapy has been criticised by some, including autism advocates and parents. One concern is that the therapy does not show respect for autistic individuals.

Benefits

ABA Therapy supporters cite these benefits:

• It helps to develop behaviour skills, according to research. Studies have shown that ABA therapy can be effective in teaching autistic people skills. Autism improves their IQ and behaviour. It also reduced the severity of their autism diagnosis.
• ABA can be used for teaching simple or complex skills. ABA can be used as a reward for children who brush their teeth correctly or share their toys with their friends.
• It provides parents with strategies to teach children at home. ABA provides parents with a framework for teaching and a way of measuring progress. It can be used to help parents break down language into syllables rather than full words.
• It demonstrates that children with autism can learn. ABA gives them the opportunity to demonstrate that they can modify their behaviours and learn. Some children may need to learn how to communicate with others or to sleep through the night.

Drawbacks

ABA is not without its critics.

• ABA focuses only on behavioural problems. Critics claim that therapists are more focused on addressing problem behaviour than learning skills such as language.
• Therapy aims to make children “normal”. The therapy also tries to make children behave like everyone else. It may be ignoring their needs by telling them that their natural behaviour is wrong, such as flapping hands or not sitting still.
• It can only teach a limited amount. ABA does not aim to teach emotional skills. ABA may teach a child how to greet someone with a handshake or shake hands. It won’t help the child feel an emotional connection.

These concerns have led to some changes in therapy over time. ABA therapists are trained to change behaviours and not think about the individual’s thoughts or feelings. Instead of trying to fix them, the goal is to empower individuals to be independent.

How does ABA Therapy work?

The simplest form of ABA Therapy is “discrete trials”. A therapist asks a child to do a specific behaviour, such as picking up a spoon.

A reward is given to the child who complies. This could be a reward such as a treat, high five or other rewards that is meaningful to the child. If the child doesn’t comply, the reward is not given, and the trial continues.

Therapy is tailored to the needs and abilities of each child. A child who is capable of sorting shapes for the reward would not be allowed to do so indefinitely. They would be able to focus on more difficult social or behavioural tasks.

A modified version of ABA is offered to children under three years old. This therapy is more similar to play therapy. The therapists will then take the children to real-world situations to teach them the behaviour they have learned.

ABA can be used with older children, teenagers, and even adults. Many therapists use ABA in natural settings, such as cafeterias, playgrounds, and other community areas. It is easier for patients and therapists to apply the skills in real-world situations.

Timeline for ABA Therapy

Your therapist will assist you in deciding on a treatment plan, including goals and length.

The therapist will begin by taking a detailed history of the patient and reviewing any previous treatments. To learn more about the family’s goals for treatment, they will interview them. In the initial session, the therapist will observe the patient. The therapist will continue to assess progress toward goals on a regular schedule.

ABA therapy can take place in a variety of settings, including at home, school, or inpatient programs. It is also possible to be done in the community. Training will be given to parents so that they can provide support in different settings.

The treatment goals will determine the number of hours required. ABA treatment typically takes between 10 and 25 hours per week. Programs for severe behaviour may take longer.

For a certified ABA therapist, ABA treatment costs $125 an hour. To find out if your insurance covers the cost, check with them. In some states, ABA therapy is required by insurance companies.

To help decide how long treatment should be continued, patients are typically evaluated every few months. The program will usually have a gradual decrease in services before it ends.

When is ABA Therapy to Be Stopped?

The professional of Outpatient Clinic Rhode Island states that ABA Therapy should not be used in these situations.

• The patient has achieved their goals.
• The patient does not meet the criteria of autism.
• Over several time periods, the patient has not shown any improvement in their treatment.
• Family members and providers are not able to resolve important issues associated with the treatment plan.

ABA is a good therapy option for autism sufferers, but not for all. Talk to your doctor and therapist to discuss any concerns or how to transition to another treatment.

Conclusion

Research has shown that ABA therapy is effective in helping autistic people reinforce their desired behaviour. Some say that it attempts to change behaviour without considering the individual’s needs. Over the years, the therapy has become more focused on independence and less on autism curing.