WHY AND WHEN ABA IS WORTH IT
Andrea Talpos, BCBA
December 19, 2020
2 minute read
If your child was recently diagnosed with Autism, I am certain that you have already researched what the best next steps are for your child. I actually see this question asked almost daily by parents on the “Autism Parents Support Group for Families” group on Facebook.
Should you enrol your child in speech and language therapy?
What about occupational therapy?
What about Applied Behaviour Analysis?
Benefits of SLP & OT
For children with language and communication deficits or delays, parents often opt for speech therapy. Speech therapy is invaluable to families as they get to participate in the sessions and learn all the tips and tricks!
The same applies for occupational therapy, which parents opt for if their child has motor difficulties (very typical of children diagnosed with Autism!).
So, what about ABA? Is it worth it?
The answer is a big YES! And that answer isn’t just because I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®), it’s actually because I am, first and foremost, a mom. I use a lot of ABA strategies with my son and many parents do the same with their children, but they just don’t always realize it. If ABA strategies are used the right (evidence-based) way, children are setup for lifelong success.
ABA uses a child’s naturally occurring motivation to help foster intrinsic motivation, retain focus on a given task, teach delayed gratification and how to follow routines and expectations; all of which are extremely important for building learner readiness skills and ultimately skill acquisition.
Speech and Language therapy and Occupational therapy are absolutely fantastic, but unless a child has the foundational strategies to be an active learner, SLP or OT therapy becomes ineffective since there are many factors that impede a child’s ability to focus and learn and it is those factors that an ABA program addresses.
Think of it this way, if your child does not have the core muscles required to be in a sitting position, he/she will never be able to learn to ride a bike.
So YES, ABA is for sure worth it. HOWEVER the reality is that ABA providers are not currently regulated in Canada, so not all ABA programs are created equal.
What should you look for in an ABA program?
Opt for service providers that offer evidence-based ABA programs and are competent in the programs they are offering. Be actively involved in your child’s treatment plan and program. If something doesn’t feel right, ask for a second opinion. Ask to sit in sessions, ask to be coached. At the end of the day, your child will see his/her therapist for maybe 10% of the day, so family involvement is VERY important!
If your child has language or motor deficits/delays, locating an ABA agency that offers a multidisciplinary model as part of a treatment package for children diagnosed with Autism is a bonus! These agencies consult with SLPs and OTs to provide your child a comprehensive treatment program. It also takes the stress out of having to locate and organize 3 different clinical teams.
Why this tool is so powerful.
- It's visual. Visuals provide a pressure-free way to communicate during moments of heightened emotions when the limbic system (emotional brain) takes over the pre-frontal cortex (logical brain). With clear visuals and supportive language, visuals beautifully help guide children in identifying sensations, emotions, and physical needs, in a pressure free way, which helps improve their interoception (awareness of what's happening inside their body) and their ability to express what they're experiencing.
- It models language It's important to model language from the child's perspective and avoid asking questions like “What's wrong?” because (a) oftentimes children are unable to communicate that during moments of stress (limbic system takeover) and (b) children who use echolalia to communicate might simply repeat the question, which can become their default way of expressing that something is wrong, leading to communication breakdowns!
- If a child lays their head down, yawns, or shows low energy, we will point to the image that says “I'm tired” and mention that it seems like they are feeling tired based on their body language.
- If a child reaches for their snack or drink, we will point to an image that says “I'm hungry” or “I'm thirsty”, and then point to the image that says “food” or “drink”, respectively.
- If a child covers his/her ears, we will point to an image that says “It's too loud” and then point to the image that says “Headphones” or “Let's leave”
- If a child walks away from an activity, we will point to the image that says "A break or to rest”
*If a child is a proficient AAC high-tech mobile app user, we do the same, but on their mobile device
The best part is that this approach supports emotional learning using neuro-affirming strategies—no flashcards without context, no drilling, no memorization. Just authentic connection, modelling, and meaningful support.
Happy Connecting! If no one has told you lately, you're doing an amazing job! Until next time <3
MEET THE AUTHOR | ANDREA TALPOS, BCBA®, RBA (ONT.)
Clinical Director, Superminds Inc. (Superminds Autism Therapy)
Hi, I'm Andrea! I coach educators, clinical teams and parents on how to use science-based and play-based strategies help children advocacate for their needs and navigate their bigger emotions, enhance and develop their language and communication skills, and learn self-help tools to become independent little people.
I absolutely love supporting the emotional needs of littles and advocating for/protecting their mental health, working with AAC tools and devices, developing neurodiversity affirming social programs focused on authenticity, supporting parents on sleep and toileting, and researching evidence-based practices and methodologies.
The reality is, my experience raising young children and working with autistic kids for over a decade has given me profound insight into the daily struggles faced by families and children alike. This journey has equipped me with the comprehensive skills and expertise to excel as a leading pediatric clinician.
MENTORSHIP + SUPERVISION
Group, individual, or remote mentorship, training and supervision available for therapists looking to pursue their RBT®, BCaBA®, BCBA® certification.
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