ABA is a kind of therapy that helps with social skills, communication skills, and learning skills using a rewards system. A lot of experts think that ABA is the best treatment for children with autism or other developmental issues.
People also use it for treating substance abuse problems and dementia, among other various conditions, including brain injuries, eating disorders, or cognitive impairment.
Today, we’ll focus on ABA treatments for children with ASD and find out what are the costs associated with this therapy and what parents should pay attention to.
How Does ABA Therapy Work?
ABA involves several phases, and it can be personalized to your child’s specific needs. The therapy focuses on positive behaviors and uses reinforcement strategies to encourage those behaviors, making it easier for children to learn and improve.
Assessment & Consultation
First, you’ll need to talk to a therapist trained in ABA. This conversation is called a functional behavior assessment (FBA). The therapist will ask about what your child is good at and what’s challenging for them. Then, they will need to spend some time with your child and watch how they behave, talk, and move.
They might also visit your home and your child’s school to see how they act during regular activities. The right treatment for autism is different for every patient, and an ABA therapist should suggest specific plans that work for your child.
Moreover, the therapist might also talk about including certain strategies at home, as each therapy is highly individualized, and keeping the process going can be highly beneficial.
Plan Development
The therapist will use what they learn in the first talking session with your kid to make a plan for therapy. This plan should match what your child needs and have clear goals.
The initial goals usually focus on making bad behaviors less frequent, like tantrums or hurting themselves, and making communication and other skills better.
The plan will also have special ways for caregivers, teachers, and the therapist to reach these goals. Basically, everyone involved will be working with your child and be on the same page at all times.
Training
ABA needs parents and caregivers to support good behaviors outside of therapy sessions. It is imperative that the therapist shows you and your child’s teachers ways to help what they do in therapy.
This will, in turn, help you learn how to avoid less helpful reinforcement as well, like giving in to tantrums, in a very safe way.
Evaluation
ABA therapists need to find out why certain behaviors happen to help your child do better. During therapy, the therapist might change how they help based on what works for your child.
As long as your child keeps getting therapy, the therapist will keep checking and evaluating how things are going. They’ll see what’s working and figure out if there are better ways to help their little patient. There are some general ABA therapy pros and cons, but the impact of ABA therapy should always be observed individually.
How Much Does ABA Therapy Cost?
How much ABA costs depends on what your child needs, the ABA program you pick, and who gives the therapy. If a program gives more services, it might cost more.
Usually, an hour of ABA therapy from a certified therapist is about $120, but it can be different. Some therapists who aren’t certified might charge less.
We do suggest going with a certified ABA therapist or a team supervised by one.
Some experts also suggest having up to 40 hours of ABA therapy every week. However, in real life, therapists often work with clients for 10 to 20 hours a week. The amount can change based on what your child needs.
If your child needs about 10 hours of ABA each week at $120 per hour, the cost would be $1,200 per week. Many kids get better after a few months, but it’s different for each child, as the therapy is individually-based. ABA therapy can even go on for up to 3 years.
Can You Do ABA Therapy at Home?
ABA therapy can also be performed at your home with varying results. Since this therapy depends on each patient and is highly individualized, for some kids, in-home ABA can do wonders, as it works in a way to make those kids feel more at ease in their familiar space.
It can also help them learn important life skills, such as getting dressed, using the bathroom and so on. But, especially at first, it’s better to practice ABA at home with a licensed therapist’s support.
They can help you make a plan that fits your child’s needs without having to leave the home.
Bottom Line
ABA therapy has helped lots of children with ASD by teaching them important skills. It can make communication better and make harmful behaviors, like hurting themselves, happen a lot less.
Remember, though, while ABA is seen as a great therapy for lots of ASD symptoms (like stimming or self-injury), it might not be the best fit for every child, so it’s important to do thorough research before starting this process.
