In the US alone, 1 out of every 59 children has autism.
For decades, the world was baffled by autism. While we still have plenty of questions, modern technology and research allow us to better diagnose and assist those with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
If your child has autism, it’s important to understand the level of support they need and how to support them. Many parents enjoy practicing social skills and exploring sensory activities, but it’s crucial your child is also receiving behavioral support.
Plenty of special needs parents have found enrolling their children in ABA therapy to be helpful. An important aspect of ABA therapy is positive reinforcement. Learn more about it in the below guide.
What is ABA?
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. You may also hear it referred to as behavioral engineering.
When studying behavioral analysis, we learn how behaviors are formed and maintained. We also learn how different environments affect learning. Because children with autism see the world in a different way than most, diving deep into behavioral analysis is crucial when working with them.
It’s important to note ABA doesn’t “cure” autism. Instead, it helps individuals with autism learn healthy and positive behavioral patterns. These healthy patterns may assist in better communication and lower frustration throughout the day.
How Does It Work?
ABA is one of the most personalized types of therapy approaches. It can be used to improve communication, correct negative behaviors, or reach a goal behavior.
Taking adequate time to connect and assess the client is crucial for any therapist-client relationship. The therapist must work to develop a relationship with their clients in order to better improve their behavioral patterns.
Connecting with a client may look like playing with their favorite toys, singing their favorite songs, or munching on some of their favorite snacks along with the child. A genuine connection establishes a relationship built on trust- a huge part of ABA.
There are multiple strategies used within ABA including prompting, shaping, and positive reinforcement. While used more sparingly, some therapists even use positive overcorrection.
The Importance of Positive Reinforcement
Imagine every time you cleaned your living room, you received a free cake. You’d want to clean your living more, right?
Positive reinforcement occurs when a positive behavior is immediately rewarded with a positive consequence. It’s like a shiny stamp of approval on a behavior.
Reinforcers depend on what works best and what’s appropriate for the client. Some kids are reinforced by touches, such as a high five or a hug. Other kids enjoy earning time with their favorite stuffed animals or video games.
Positive reinforcement is motivating for children with behavioral issues. Instead of reacting with negative behavior, they’re motivated to act in a positive way because they know they’ll earn a reward!
Using Positive Reinforcement
If a therapist or parent has noticed an improvement with their child reaching a goal behavior, they might adjust how they use positive reinforcements.
For example, instead of rewarding the child with a pretzel each time they complete the desired behavior, they may reward the child after he/she completes the desired action 5 times. This is to avoid disinterest or oversaturation of the reinforcer.
A therapist or teacher may use a token board to provide a visual reminder of positive reinforcement for children. Each time they complete the desired action, such as sitting still for 1 minute, they’ll receive a sticker.
Once they receive 5 stickers, they receive a few pretzel bites! (Even though this is just an example, you now better see how it works.)
Keep in mind a child’s desired reinforcer will most likely change with time. As children age, their interests change. It’s important for the therapist to perform reinforcer assessments at the appropriate times.
What’s the Goal?
The overall goal of using positive reinforcement is to reach a point in which displaying the goal behavior is a natural response of the child. As a child ages into an adult, they won’t always have reinforcers available to them.
This is where fading comes into play. In fading, a therapist will fade away prompts and reinforcers as the healthy behaviors become more comfortable and natural for the child.
Once they start completing the desired behavior without the need for prompts and reinforcers, they’ll become much more confident in their abilities!
As a parent, it’s important to remember that just because they know how to display positive behavior doesn’t mean they always will. Just like any child, they’ll sometimes act a bit naughty.
If they start displaying negative behaviors, redirect their attention or model positive behavior.
Some children with autism start feeling irritated if they’re overstimulated. Find a quiet place for them to de-escalate if you sense they’re becoming agitated.
Finding an ABA Therapist
Are you interested in enrolling your child in a reliable autism therapy program?
Hop online to search for ABA therapists in your area. Some therapists practice independently, within schools, or through specialized clinics.
Guarantee the therapist has all required schooling and licensure. Meet with your potential ABA therapist to chat about your child’s current negative behaviors and social needs.
It’s imperative your child feels safe with their therapist. Sometimes the relationship between a child and a therapist doesn’t work out, and that’s okay. Speak to the therapist about other contacts they may have.
The Use of Positive Reinforcement Within ABA Therapy
ABA therapy is a helpful type of therapy for individuals, especially children, with autism. Many strategies are used with ABA to better support the client. One of these strategies is the use of positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement occurs when the therapist rewards the child for displaying positive behavior. It acts as a major motivator!
Are you wanting to enroll your child in autism and behavioral therapy? Path2Potential is here for you. Check out the rest of our site to learn more about our approach, and enroll your child today.