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For parents of children with autism, few situations are more stressful than dealing with challenging behaviors like tantrums, meltdowns, self-injury, or aggression. That's why an essential focus of ABA therapy involves addressing these obstacles through positive reinforcement techniques.
For parents of children with autism, few situations are more stressful than dealing with challenging behaviors like tantrums, meltdowns, self-injury, or aggression. That's why an essential focus of ABA therapy involves addressing these obstacles through positive reinforcement techniques.
The most effective and ethical ABA approaches take a proactive stance rather than punishing or suppressing unwanted behaviors through harsh discipline. By reinforcing desirable behaviors while altering environmental factors, challenging behaviors decrease over time.
The most effective and ethical ABA approaches take a proactive stance rather than punishing or suppressing unwanted behaviors through harsh discipline. By reinforcing desirable behaviors while altering environmental factors, challenging behaviors decrease over time.
Functional Behavior Assessments
Functional Behavior Assessments
The first step is always conducting a functional behavior assessment to determine what purpose or "function" a challenging behavior serves for the child. Common functions include getting desired items/attention or escaping undesired situations.
The first step is always conducting a functional behavior assessment to determine what purpose or "function" a challenging behavior serves for the child. Common functions include getting desired items/attention or escaping undesired situations.
Once the function is identified, therapists develop a positive behavior support plan around the following:
Once the function is identified, therapists develop a positive behavior support plan around the following:
- Teaching alternative replacement behaviors that meet the same need in an appropriate way
- Modifying environmental antecedents that trigger the behavior
- Strategically reinforcing positive behaviors with rewards the child finds motivating
- Safely implementing planned ignoring or other strategies when harmful behaviors occur
Consistency Is Key
Consistency Is Key
For behavior plans to work, everyone interacting with the child must consistently respond to their behaviors using the agreed-upon preventative strategies, alternative skill practice, and reinforcement system. Inconsistency undermines progress.
For behavior plans to work, everyone interacting with the child must consistently respond to their behaviors using the agreed-upon preventative strategies, alternative skill practice, and reinforcement system. Inconsistency undermines progress.
Patience and Data
Patience and Data
Replacing longstanding habits takes immense time, effort, and patience. However, with ongoing data collection monitoring progress objectively, families can celebrate small successful steps and adjust approaches as needed.
Replacing longstanding habits takes immense time, effort, and patience. However, with ongoing data collection monitoring progress objectively, families can celebrate small successful steps and adjust approaches as needed.
When done compassionately, positive reinforcement creates a nurturing environment fostering independence rather than coercion. With proper prevention and skill-building, children learn better ways of getting their needs met.
When done compassionately, positive reinforcement creates a nurturing environment fostering independence rather than coercion. With proper prevention and skill-building, children learn better ways of getting their needs met.
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