Q

What is my role in the ABA therapy?

Parents play an integral part in their child’s ABA therapy program. From the initial assessment process
throughout the treatment period, the parent should be actively involved. This will make the greatest
difference in the level of progress your child will make. What does it mean to be involved?

A

Answered by

Adina L. Milgram

It is important to carry over the skills your child is learning during sessions which, in essence, is practicing them throughout his/her daily routines. For example, if the BCBA or behavior technician tells you they are working on increasing your child’s expressive language skills, at home you can work on your child using his/her words to request his/her wants and needs or to ask and answer questions.

Another example – if you observe the behavior technician working on play skills, you can take time to play those same games with your child after school or over the weekend. Although your child may be receiving ABA therapy multiple times per week, s/he is with the behavior technician for only a small portion of the week. So, the more you practice the skills they are learning, the sooner you will begin to see progress. Conversely, if you do not practice what your child is learning, it could take him/her longer to meet his/her goals since there could be a disconnect between what is going on in and out of therapy. Accordingly, it is critical to follow the suggestions and strategies that are used during sessions to maintain consistency of practice. This way, your child will not get confused, there will be uniformity and everyone on your child’s therapy team, including you as the parent, will be utilizing the same, effective protocol. Your BCBA and behavior technician are there as a resource for you in terms of how to carry over skills outside of sessions. Ask them exactly what goals they are working on and how to implement them. Request that they demonstrate and practice with you, and provide you with feedback.

While you can work on skills in a formal way with your child when it is appropriate, is also important to find natural teachable moments whereby you incorporate the ABA goals into your child’s interests, what is reinforcing or motivating for him/her and family activities. All researchers agree that parents have the ability to make a positive difference in their children’s lives and each autism treatment program relies on parental involvement. It is advantageous for you to be trained in ABA techniques and to be fully involved in order to maximize your child’s learning rate and skill development. There is no right amount of parental involvement because every family has different needs but understand the powerful impact you have on your child’s success. You play an integral role in your child’s developmental progress. Keep the lines of communication open with your therapy team and collaborate regularly with them. Always feel comfortable reaching out to your BCBA, behavior technician or other Encore ABA staff for advice and guidance.