ABA FAQs
What is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)?
Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) is a branch of science concerned with the application of basic principles of behaviour and learning. ABA is commonly practiced as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with autism. ABA-based therapy applies the science of how behaviour works to real-life situations. ABA-based therapy programs can help:
- Increase communication skills
- Improve attention, social skills, memory and academics
- Decrease problem behaviours that interfere with daily life and learning
- Develop positive learning behaviours
Behaviour Analyst or Behaviour Technician?
A Behaviour Analyst monitors progress and supervises, while the Behaviour Technician delivers interventions.
Who can be a Behaviour Technician?
- They are paraprofessionals who practice under the close ongoing supervision of behaviour analysts.
- They are primarily responsible for the direct implementation of the ABA services.
Who can be a Behaviour Analyst?
- The clinician must hold a graduate qualification in the field of behaviour analysis
- They meet the requirements under the NDIS quality and safeguards commission as a behaviour support practitioner. This can be accessed for your reference at www.ndiscommission.gov.au
What does an ABA program look like at Irabina?
Our program is based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) principles and involves:
- An initial intake assessment in which a baseline measure of the client’s skills is established and goals for the program are set.
- An individualised program is developed for the client with clear objectives and target skills.
- Data collection procedures in which the target skill is measured and progress tracked.
- Clinical Co-ordination: Ongoing program review and evaluation in which changes will be made to teaching procedures as needed.
- Regular Team Meetings (every 8 weeks, 4 weeks or 2 weeks) in which the clients progress within programs is demonstrated, current programs reviewed and new goals set. Whilst parents are not required to attend every meeting, it is recommended that they attend at least every alternating meeting to ensure that goals are generalising into the home and community settings.
ABA programs may range from 3 – 25 hours weekly, depending on the child’s needs. The ABA program may focus on a particular behaviour or skill, or it may be more broadly targeting a range of developmental areas at the same time, like communication, self-care and play skills.
What happens in an ABA session at Irabina?
Depending on children’s needs, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) interventions can be delivered one to one, at the centre, in school, at home or in the community.
ABA can be done at the table or through play. The procedures used is dependent on your child’s age, level of engagement, learning style, level of compliance and the overarching goals of their program.
Within their sessions, clients are given lots of opportunities to practice new skills (high repetition of practice). As their skill repertoire increases, further skills are added to their programs. Over time, these skills may be combined to form more complex behaviours, such as: conversations, cooperative play, observational learning, daily living routines etc.
Throughout the session, client’s work on individual goals across domains including: fine motor, gross motor, communication, social, self-help and visual perception
Am I able to sit in on the ABA session?
ABA sessions are similar to group or kindergarten programs. Clients’ are dropped off by parents/care-givers at the start of their session and collected at the designated session completion time. Unfortunately, observing sessions on a regular basis is difficult as we have a range of other programs and clients in the same space.
It is possible to organise time to view some of the session, however this needs to be discussed with your therapist ahead of time. Progress may be viewed ongoing in your team meetings. This allows you an opportunity to view how your child is going and also to get advice on how you can generalise the skills we are working on in the clinic in other environments.
How often are Team Meetings?
Team meetings are booked in the same time every 2, 4 or 8 weeks depending on how often your child comes into clinic. The meeting is booked during one of your child’s regular therapy sessions. These meetings must occur at the same time ongoing as the behaviour analyst needs an opportunity to observe your child’s progress, move on any programs they are excelling in, change programs they are struggling with, and formulate new goals for your child.
Please remember to book these meetings into your calendar as it is very difficult to change the time as our behaviour analysts are supervising a range of children. As these meetings are a required part of the ABA program and unless organised in advance, the meeting will still go ahead with your child and the staff involved even if you can’t attend that day. You are welcome to call your behaviour analyst following this meeting to discuss any issues you may be having at home.
I want to change my ongoing session days/times, what should I do?
Any ongoing scheduling changes must go through head office. Please refrain from asking your therapist these questions as they do not have any authority over scheduling. If you do need to change your ongoing session times, we can’t promise you will have the same therapist.
If you need to cancel a session as a one off please let reception know in advance, as per Irabina’s cancellation policy.
