Talk to me about ABA therapy

The developmental ped recommended 20 hours, but I could swear she said non-discrete. What does that mean??

DS is 2yrs 8 months. He's nonverbal (has a couple of words) but she said he's high functioning and very bright. His receptive language is gangbusters. Does anyone else's DC receive non-discrete ABA? What does it involve?

I know this will all be explained to me when it starts but we first have to have his "add/change services" meeting for EI and that isn't until next thursday afternoon.

Re: Talk to me about ABA therapy

I'm not an ABA expert as we've only been on this journey since January but I think the Non Discrete means that the therapy be done in a natural settion (on the floor during play) instead of at a table running 'trials'.

There are many ABA therapists on here. Message Lipglossjunky - she would be able to give you a definitive answer!

Re: Talk to me about ABA therapy

I am also far from an expert, however, I have seen ABA done in so many ways. There are ways that will "work" for your ds, and ways that may not.

ABA is merely a way to analyze behavior (learning). It's data based, which I like. I like it because it holds all therapists accountable and you can see things across a "board". I also really recommend ABA be done by a variety of therapists. Even though it sounds daunting to think of having so many individuals working with your child. It helps tremendously for the "generalizations", also each therapist brings their own special apporach, and toys to the "table" so to speak. ABA DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DONE AT A TABLE, however, in my dd's case, having her work at a table really helps because she is a sensory seeker and will get "lost' when she isn't grounded. Having her focused in on the floor is also a great alternative. It should be in the most "natural" environment. The child shouldn't feel like it's "invasive" or "punishmnent". To be honest, I am a huge fan of the floortime/dir approach. I just think Dr. Greenspan had an amazing understanding of the disorders that fall under the spectrum. So if you can get ABA to mimic a DIR approach as much as possible, you can have the best of both worlds (the data, and the more reinforcing approach)

Verbal Behavior is one of the more 'current' ways to go about an ABA program. Pivotal Teaching Response is another.

Errorless teaching is a wonderful way to "teach" new concepts to a child who can get frustrated easily. It truly helps their perserverance. My dd has issues with motor planning so by having full prompts at first, really help her go through 'actions', that she normally may not do on her own. Sort of like "training wheels" on a bicycle. You have to get that support and teach the brain how to balance itself, before riding without any "support"

For my dd what works is learning things in "context". If she is going to immitation skills, she will want it to be part of a game or a song. Just telling her to "do this"...like "tap a table" with no meaning behind it, she will not be motivated to do it, and the reinforcer would have to be separate from the actual skill. Having the "motivation" be the teaching tool and the "reinforcer" all in one, makes the entire learning experience "meaningful". When it's done like that, generalization happens easily.

Ex...Learning to identify body parts and say them. It could be done to a song, a book, or some sort of game that the child would be engaged in (remember it truly needs to be individualized). Following directions----also part of a game, an art project, a song, etc. Having a lot of "praise" could be the reinforcer.

The traditional ABA approach aka Discrete Trials, was more of a way to have the child do an action many times in a row....ex..."touch head", "touch head", "touch head" .... It was also about teaching skills more in isolation.

Also (sorry for rambling)....traditional ABA was based on breaking down skills into small parts, so each skill could build upon another. My dd's skills are scattered so breaking down skills into small parts when not necessary is a waste of time. So you need a therapist who is not "rigid" to lead the team. One that knows, that you don't have to "match 15 objects" before you can move the child to matching picture to picture and then picture to objects..

You may want to purchase the book written by Catherine Maurice on behaviorial intervention. A lot of therapists take their "programs" from that book, and you can help them come up with meaningful programs for your ds.

Re: Talk to me about ABA therapy

Elizabeth that is so helpful, thank you!

Will you tutor me?