Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

ABA is one of the most common, and the only proven, method used to treat autism. Applied Behavior Analysis has been shown to be an effective means of intervention for adults and children with pervasive developmental disorder. The ABA approach teaches social, motor, and verbal behaviors as well as reasoning skills. ABA therapy is especially useful in teaching behaviors to children with autism who do not otherwise “pick up” on these behaviors on their own as other children would. ABA teaches these skills through use of careful behavioral observation and positive reinforcement or prompting to teach each step of a behavior. Generally ABA involves intensive training of the therapists, extensive time spent in ABA therapy (20-40 hours per week) and weekly supervision by experienced clinical supervisors known as a certified behavior consultant.

An adequate communication and a supportive relationship between educational systems and families allow children to receive a beneficial education. This pertains to typical learners as well as to children who need additional services.

Applied behavior analysis involves an entire team working together to address a child’s needs. Harmony House team includes professionals such as an ABA Consultant as well as the children’s primary caregivers, who are treated as key to the implementation of successful therapy in the ABA model. The ABA method relies on behavior principles and a recommended curriculum that reflects an individual child’s needs and abilities. As such, regular meetings with Harmony House professional staff to discuss programming is a primary way to establish a successful working relationship between a child’s family and Harmony House. When a caregiver can be the outlet source for the generalization of skills outside of school, it helps the child’s therapy process by catering to the child’s individual needs. In the ABA framework, developing and maintaining a structured working relationship between parents and professionals is essential to ensure consistency of thought and practice of behavioral methods.