Raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) brings a set of challenges that are different from other aspects of parenthood. Your child’s autism diagnosis will prompt you to look for treatment practices that can support their development. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a very effective intervention method, but the question is - how can you, as a parent, engage in your child’s therapy to help further their progress? This is where behavior-based parent training comes into play. By becoming familiar with ABA, you’ll play a meaningful role in your child’s growth and development, and you’ll have the tools to carry out effective teaching and behavior management strategies at home.
What does ABA parent training entail?
ABA parent training is a collaborative process. You’ll work alongside a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to learn and implement effective strategies to support your child's specific needs. This training will empower you with the evidenced-based practices and tools of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), so that you can be an active part of your child’s learning and development. Importantly, this training will help you create a positive and consistent learning environment that extends beyond therapy sessions.
Core aspects of ABA parent training
ABA parent training involves using several methods along with ABA curricula and assessment that work together to support your child's development. Here are the different aspects you will encounter on this journey:
Understanding the Principles of ABA
Gain the basic knowledge of essential ABA principles that will include behavior change contingencies. This skill helps you not only react to different behaviors but also sets up a nurturing learning environment that encourages your child’s growth.
Individualized Learning
ABA programs are individualized and adapt to your child’s unique needs and goals. This means that you will learn the techniques that suit your child’s developmental stage and are designed to address the specific challenges they face. This personalized approach is a key element of the intervention that helps to make it more effective.
Practical Skills Development
With parent training, you'll get opportunities for hands-on learning that will enable you to refine those essential ABA skills, such as contributing to the choice of target behaviors (focusing on actions that can be seen and measured and if changed, will make a beneficial difference in your child’s life), using positive reinforcement approaches (learning how to identify and increase behaviors that benefit your child), and improving your communication (using simple language, visual aids, and active listening).
Collaboration is Key
Teamwork, which is the cornerstone of the partnership between you, the BCBA, other therapists, and the other health professionals involved in your child's care, will be developed. It is paramount that everybody is on the same page, uses uniform strategies, and observes the child's progress.
Generalization Across Environments
One of the significant parts of ABA parent training is the capability to apply the techniques that you master at home to other areas such as school, therapy, and social gatherings. The goal is for your child to develop transferable skills that can be used in other settings.
Why ABA parent training matters
ABA parent training is crucial because it provides parents with the necessary knowledge and skills that are needed to appropriately and effectively intervene in the lives of their children with autism.
Whilst ABA therapy brings about tremendous benefits for autistic children, it is only when parents become actively involved in the process of their child's therapy, that ABA therapy unveils its full potential, and becomes a deciding factor in the success of a child's development.
When you make yourself a part of an ABA parent training program, you get to be an active partner in your child's development by bringing out the hidden creative and intellectual potential in them and thus preparing a better future for them. Here’s how:
Consistent Application
ABA can be most successful strategies are implemented in a similar manner by all caregivers. Parent training helps in pairing the strategies in the home with the ones that are being used during therapy sessions, resulting in a unified method. Where there is uniformity, the intervention becomes more effective.
Reduced Stress
As you acquire more behavioral knowledge and skills, the endless concern of "how to help" will be alleviated. This newly found confidence can lead to a reduction in stress and anxiety and encourage you to focus on building a strong bond with your child.
Therapeutic Environment
Training prepares you to use reinforcement-based methods in conjunction with good communication skills leading to conditions conducive to a caring and supportive atmosphere in your home, which will in turn help your child develop.
Supportive Network
Sometimes parent training is applied in group settings, offering an opportunity to develop a support network among parents who have similar challenges. With the ability to connect and work together, you can receive emotional support that is irreplaceable and a feeling of communal belonging, which will help you realize that you are not alone in this journey.
ABA parent training tips
The parent training component of ABA therapy is vital to unlock your child’s potential. How can you make the most out of those sessions? Here are some actionable tips:
Be Curious
Don't be afraid to ask questions that seem elementary. Understanding the "why" behind ABA techniques will help you to utilize them at home.
Be Observant
The BCBA will guide you to closely watch your child's behavior, in order to identify triggers and functions. Remember the "aha" moments as they are clues for knowing your child better and will help to create a personalized approach. Ultimately, understanding your child more is going to play a crucial role in aiding their development.
Role-Play
This isn't about play-acting, it's about practicing real-life situations in a safe space. The more you "practice" implementing techniques, the more comfortable you'll feel using them effectively at home.
Data Collection is Key
Recording data might sound intimidating, but it's a necessary component of treatment. During training, learn how to track and visualize your child's progress through simple methods. Data collection becomes your partner, helping you monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed.
Be a Team Player
Parent training fosters collaboration between you, the BCBA, and other professionals involved in your child's care. Share your observations, ask for support, and celebrate your child's successes together.
Motivity is Your Therapist’s Partner
While your BCBA and you are the expert on your child, Motivity’s data collection software enables progress monitoring and decision making in a manner that is easy and efficient.
What to Expect From Data Collection Training
The Motivity Parent Onboarding program provides a user-friendly introduction to collecting data from our platform. You'll learn essentials from navigating the platform, to understanding your child's personalized dashboard. In no time you will be monitoring your child’s progress and celebrating milestones together with your therapy team. Want your team to see what you do when you aren’t together? Take video recordings for deeper insights. Together with Motivity, you and your child’s team can achieve great strides!
