Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy is used to teach practical and socially desired skills to ensure that children with developmental and cognitive delays, learning difficulties or behavioural problems are equipped to meet appropriate milestones in their development. ABA therapy should begin as soon as a child has been diagnosed or as early as possible, to attain the greatest results and ensure a child reaches their maximum potential.
Parents may decide to employee an ABA therapist to visit their child at home. This kind of intervention requires the supervision and programme management of a Clinical Supervisor, and involves the following elements:
A focus on changing behaviours by understanding the reasons for the behaviour
Teaching age-appropriate skills aligned to developmental milestones, such as: communication, social, self-help, motor, adaptive and academic skills
An individualized ABA programme with learning objectives for each child to reflect their individual strengths and requirements
Regular clinical supervision of a child’s programme to ensure progress is maintained as goals are achieved
Interventions involving ABA therapy utilises extensive techniques for management of situations ranging from self-stimulatory behavior to social development and language expansion, ensuring children are equipped with the skills they need to maximize their potential. Some of these techniques include Verbal Behaviour Therapy (VB), Natural Environment Teaching (NET), Pivotal Response Training (PRT) and modified discrete trial training (DTT), amongst others.