“How quickly can we expect our child to progress?”
That is one question that often comes up when families begin ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services. The answer is that it is dependent on the level of consistency and participation of the family unit surrounding the child. It is hard work, but it works. We strive to teach the family unit, side-by-side and step-by-step, the specific strategies that our therapists utilize. This allows for a higher level of support in the natural environment throughout the child’s day. Caregivers (moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, etc.) then become change agents for that child and gain their own confidence and skills in engaging with them. It is critical that treatment methods and strategies are continued outside of therapy sessions in order for the behavior changes to be consistent and long-lasting. Caregivers and families will discover how to recognize the specific reason(s) the child is engaging in certain behaviors and will then better understand how to set up the environment for success. Caregivers will also be more equipped with the tools needed when challenges arise. This ultimately creates an environment for caregivers to apply new skills and help the child succeed in multiple environments, with multiple people (generalization). We strive to teach proactive and reactive strategies in order to achieve desired changes in behavior. Teaching appropriate replacement skills is a corner stone for changing behavior; quite literally we “replace” undesired behaviors with more appropriate and socially acceptable ones.
We teach caregivers strategies and instructional methods that may include:
- How to increase language skills
- How to teach play skills
- How to reduce challenging behavior
- How to improve social interaction
- How to promote self-management skills
The greater the involvement of the caregiver(s), the more likely it is that your child will develop the ability to manage themselves and their daily life. This may include the individual learning how to implement their own schedules, reminders, calendars, task lists, shopping lists, etc., with the overall goal of increasing their independence in all aspects of their lives. Our ultimate goal, at People’s Care Behavioral Health, is to improve the quality of life for our clients and their families in every way possible.