Tag Archive for: empoweredparents

Navigating the Screen Time Tightrope: Balancing Tech for Kids with Autism

Parent Perspective: The Pros and Cons of Screen Time for Children with Autism

There is no escaping technology. The children we’re raising today live in a world vastly different from our childhoods. Gone are the days of endless outdoor play and hours of choreographing talent shows to mixed tapes (or, for those younger, burning CDs). The only interaction many of us had with video games as kids was playing the Oregon Trail on the classroom desktop computer. While we lament what our children may miss, there are undeniable benefits to living in a more technologically advanced society. 

The debate over whether screen time has adverse effects on children with autism is ongoing. I do not have the clinical data to take a stand either way. However, as a parent of a child with autism, I have firsthand experience navigating screen time. I’ve noticed both the pros and cons of screen usage. Here, I share some insights into managing screen time and offer suggestions for determining your approach. 

It’s beneficial to carefully consider how you integrate screens into your home—whether it’s an iPad, cell phone, laptop, TV, Kindle, video games, or even a smartwatch. Planning allows you to establish boundaries and anticipate challenges, guiding you toward a balanced approach that works best for your family.

screen time and kids with autism

Pros of Screentime

​​There are numerous benefits for neurodivergent children using various devices and technology, especially those created specifically for kids with autism, speech delays, or other developmental challenges. Here are some ways screen time may be beneficial for your child:

Technology can be a talking tool – Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Technology can provide a means of communication and self-expression for non-speaking children with autism. Many AAC programs are available on devices like iPads and enable non-verbal children to communicate effectively, opening new avenues of expression that might not otherwise be accessible. Some popular AAC tools include:

While there’s concern that AAC might deter verbal communication in speaking children, studies show the opposite. AAC may be a valuable option for communicating when children are fatigued. Some individuals find it easier to express themselves more fully through AAC, complementing their verbal expression. Technologies developed by major software and hardware speech manufacturers (not all AAC is installed on an iPad) serve as tools to enhance communication, which is a significant advantage.

Technology can be a learning tool — Educational Apps and Games

Technology is a powerful educational tool, offering thousands of apps and games tailored to various learning needs and interests. Whether your child has an aptitude for a specific subject or needs to develop in a particular area, chances are there’s an app to help them. Here are just a few examples of apps for different areas of learning, including reading, literacy, science, coding, and memory games: 

Even games like Minecraft allow kids to learn spatial awareness and design 3-dimensional spaces in an animated realm. When choosing apps and games for your child, focus on those that align with their interests and areas where they can grow.

Our educational system has embraced the use of technology in classrooms as an effective learning tool. As parents, we can do the same. It’s a matter of selecting the right websites and apps for your child. 

Technology can be a social and saftey tool — Text Messaging and Video Calling.

Not all technology prevents connection and socialization. In fact, some types of technology allow us to interact in ways that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to. Text messaging and video calling allow children, including those using AAC, to socialize with family and friends safely and meaningfully. Contrary to isolating, some technologies facilitate social interaction.

Digital communication methods provide vital social connections, enhancing communication skills and even offering a way to communicate with a parent or caregiver if they are in a potentially unsafe situation. The following resources help parents keep their kids safe in social settings:

Technology can be a creative tool — Photography and Social Supports.

Many autistic children have a visual inclination and enjoy capturing and reflecting on images. Whether taking photos themselves or exploring pictures on a caregiver’s phone, photography can help them understand their world and relationships.

 Additionally, photography and video can support applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy by creating visual supports and social stories, aiding in learning and vocabulary development. Here are some app ideas for fostering creativity and visual supports:

Technology can be a tool for entertainment.

We can’t ignore the upsides of using technology for entertainment. Many of us tend to view using technology for entertainment as a downside to screens. However, there are moments when we need our kids to sit still and be entertained. There isn’t a mom out there who hasn’t expressed a sigh of relief as they hand their child a phone while waiting at the doctor’s office. 

While often viewed negatively, technology can provide essential entertainment and relaxation. Whether calming a child following an extended therapy session or allowing them to unwind after a day of school, screen time offers familiar and predictable activities that may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation for kids. Here are the favorites in our house:

Cons of Screentime

Now, let’s look at the cons. Many of us are probably very familiar with the consequences of technology and screen usage, whether through personal experience or a fear that it’s becoming a big problem we can’t control. Screen time effects are a real concern. Understanding what we’re up against as parents can help us decide our non-negotiables as well as give ourselves some grace when screens introduce challenges we didn’t expect. 

Technology can prevent real, authentic social interaction.

While technology can promote social interaction, it can also isolate your child. When a child is given a device to use whenever and however they want, it can become a real danger. Setting limits around the time and exposure your child has to screens may prevent this from becoming an insurmountable problem.

If your child tends to stim on a screen, it prevents them from staying present. Whether they are compulsive swipers who can’t stay engaged with one show or activity, there may need to be certain restrictions. The Guided Access functionality on an iPad helps those kiddos who like to bounce from app to app and video to video. Or, if your child repeatedly watches the same movie, it may be time to expose them to different shows or activities. These are examples of behaviors an ABA clinician may be able to implement into your child’s programming. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask your ABA provider, such as ABA Connect, for help. 

Technology can be overstimulating.

Many kids with autism tend for their sensory systems to become overloaded. If this is your child, watch how they react to high screen usage. Factors contributing to sensory overload include the device’s volume level, screen brightness, and whether it is used in a dark or brightly lit area. Consider what types of videos, songs, and apps get your child hyped up. Directing them toward content that creates a more calm and regulated nervous system response, such as slow, repetitive music and lower-volume videos, may help them stay within their window of tolerance. Here are some possible apps to help calm your child:

Technology can be an alternate reality.

Some kids prefer to live in a virtual world rather than a real one. Games that include virtual reality (VR) simulate real-life experiences, which may be more exciting or enticing to your child than their actual environment. However, spending time outdoors in nature offers an antidote of sorts. Mother Nature operates at a much slower pace than we do. During a hike or bike ride, your child may begin to experience a healthy contrast to the fast-paced realm of technology. Engaging with nature may enable their nervous system to mimic this slower pace.

Also, consider how videos with compelling storylines may become replacements for reading a book. There is something unique and beneficial in forming pictures to a story within your child’s imagination. When technology prevents kids from spending time outdoors or reading, they miss out on engaging with their environment meaningfully. This may be a sign that it’s time to step back from technology.

Moderation with Screentime

Like many things, there’s no hard and fast rule for approaching screen time with your child. Perhaps the best approach is moderation. 

  • Set limits. 
  • Encourage the types of technology that lead to connection. 
  • Stay engaged in what your child is watching or using. 
  • Try not to feel guilty if your child uses technology more than you would like. 

Sometimes, in life, things aren’t quite where we want them to be. Knowing where we want to be can help us get there with a plan and a good dose of patience. 

Our Journey with Screen Time

My son didn’t show much interest in screens, whether a TV, phone, or iPad until he was four or five. I actually wanted him to engage with technology because I knew an AAC device could be a helpful tool for him to communicate. 

Working with a speech-language pathologist and an assistive technology expert, we presented him with different AAC programs. He wasn’t interested. Also, he had not yet developed a pointer finger, which is essential to a touchscreen device. I recruited an occupational therapist to help him form one. It didn’t matter what she did; he showed no signs of being able to isolate his finger. Until he discovered YouTube Kids on an iPad! Everything changed from there. 

Watching entertaining videos was a gateway to making technology more functional. My son didn’t start showing interest in using his “talker” (what we call is AAC device) until he first experienced immediate gratification from swiping around on YouTube Kids and PBS Kids. In that respect, I am incredibly thankful for handheld devices. Yes, they can become detrimental to real-life engagement, but overall, they opened up my son’s world in a whole new way. 

Every child’s journey is unique. Maybe there’s something different—another way your child can grow and expand through technology. Remember, technology can be very engaging and motivating. If you need ideas for how to use a device or application to help your child grow, ask your child’s BCBA or ABA clinician. They may have ideas for how to use screens for their greater good. 

What are your biggest questions or concerns about screen time usage with your child? 

We’d love to hear from you in the comments below. If you found this post helpful, please feel free to like, share, and follow us for more insightful content on autism and ABA therapy.

If a positive, play-based approach to ABA appeals to you, we invite you to reach out to ABA Connect. The friendly team at ABA Connect is always ready to help answer your questions.

Disclaimer: While I am a consultant writing on behalf of ABA Connect, my child is not a current client. The views and experiences shared in this blog post are entirely from a parent’s perspective. My goal is to provide informative content and insights based on my personal experiences, as well as interviews conducted with the staff at ABA Connect.

Creating an Autism-Friendly Home

A Parent Perspective: Incorporating ABA Into Your Home Environment

Scrolling through social media one day, this post completely captured my feelings of home: 

ABA friendly home

I love my home. I love being at home. And I love inviting people over to my home. It’s literally my favorite place to be. It reflects my personality, my priories, and it is a place of comfort and safety for me and my family. 

For many families, including mine, raising a child with autism can present challenges in creating a comfortable, safe, and autism-friendly home environment. Adjustments and sacrifices become necessary. But even with minimal changes, our homes can be a more peaceful haven for everyone. 

Throughout the past decade, I’ve learned to embrace modifications in my home to accommodate my son with autism. Incorporating visual cues, sensory toys, and safety features has had a positive impact without major home renovations. 

In this blog post, I’ll share simple and effective ways to create an autism-friendly or ABA-friendly home. I’ll focus on communication, play, sensory experiences, sleep, and safety. We’ll explore how to transform your home into the best possible space for your family, implementing ABA techniques when possible.

As the therapists at ABA Connect constantly remind me, making play a priority is essential to the progress of our kids. As we accept our kids and their unique needs, we can foster a fun and loving home environment that also honors their humanity. 

autism friendly home environment

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-gray-shirt-sitting-beside-girl-in-yellow-shirt-8422262/

Enhancing Communication at Home: ABA Tools for Effective Connection

Communication is vital for building strong relationships, including with our children on the autism spectrum. At ABA Connect, we understand the importance of finding effective ways to connect and communicate with our kids. Here are some practical ABA communication tools that you can implement in your home.

  1. Visual Supports: Utilize visual schedules, picture cards, and first-then boards to break down complex tasks into simpler steps. These visual aids help your child understand expectations and navigate daily routines more independently. 
  2. AAC Devices: Keep your child’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device charged and easily accessible if your child uses a device. Keeping it in the same location when not in use empowers your child to express their needs, wants, and thoughts effectively, even if verbal communication is challenging.
  3. Break Requests: Always provide your child with the option to ask for a break, alone time, or express their need to say “no.” This fosters self-advocacy and allows them to regulate their sensory needs or emotions, promoting a more comfortable and respectful environment.
  4. Consistency and Structure: Maintain consistency in using communication tools and visual supports. Display a visual schedule to provide a clear overview of the day’s activities. Use timers to help your child understand transitions and manage time effectively.

By implementing these ABA-friendly communication tools in your home, you can enhance communication, reduce frustration, and strengthen the connection with your child. 

To learn more about developing practical strategies to create an environment that supports effective communication and promotes growth for your child with autism, contact ABA Connect.

Creating a Playful ABA Environment at Home: Nurturing Development through Play

In our journey with autism, we’ve discovered that the most effective therapies are those that feel like play. At home, it’s essential to foster a fun environment that promotes development and allows children to engage in the joy of play.

If you have a dedicated playroom, it can be a valuable space for practicing sustained attention and independent play. Customize the room with toys that your child finds entertaining and comforting, including items for stimming. Consider incorporating technology or enticing books, providing a range of options to suit your child’s interests.

Make sure to distribute play toys throughout the house. You can set out easily accessible baskets or designated areas where your child can find comfort and engage with preferred toys. Consider bookshelves that function like file cabinets to facilitate easy access to books. This encourages independent book exploration without causing frustration or disorganization. The things your child loves can be placed strategically in different rooms, enticing exploration and engagement wherever your child may be.

Collaborate with your BCBA to organize a playroom or bedroom space that suits your child’s needs. It may involve limiting the number of toys to prevent overstimulation and rotating toys periodically to keep things interesting. Introducing new toys gradually allows your child to warm up to different experiences and expand their interests over time.

By creating a playful ABA environment at home, you provide opportunities for your child to develop and thrive through play. 

Join us at ABA Connect as we explore practical strategies to optimize playtime, engage sustained attention, and cultivate an atmosphere that promotes growth and enjoyment for your child with autism.

Creating Sensory Spaces at Home: Nurturing Sensory Needs for Your Child

Understanding your child’s sensory tendencies is a crucial step in creating a sensory-friendly home environment. Whether they seek sensory input or avoid overstimulation, there are numerous ways to incorporate sensory elements into your space.

Let’s explore some favorite sensory-friendly additions that can support your child’s sensory needs:

  1. Crash Pad: Create a designated crash pad area where your child can safely jump, crash, and release energy.
  2. Indoor or Outdoor Trampoline: A trampoline provides a dynamic sensory experience, offering bouncing fun and proprioceptive input.
  3. Lycra Swing or Disk Swing: Install a lycra swing or disk swing in a secure area, allowing your child to experience soothing vestibular input.
  4. Ball Pit: Set up a ball pit filled with soft balls for tactile exploration and deep pressure input.
  5. Tunnel: Incorporate a tunnel for crawling, promoting spatial awareness and body integration.
  6. Peanut Ball or Balancing Ball: These versatile tools can enhance balance, coordination, and core strength while providing sensory input.
  7. Sensory Sock: A sensory sock provides a cozy and calming space for your child to relax and regulate their sensory system.
  8. Weighted Blankets and Weighted Vests: These comforting items offer deep pressure stimulation, promoting relaxation and a sense of security.
  9. Chewlery: Chewable jewelry, such as necklaces or bracelets, can provide oral sensory stimulation and serve as a safe outlet for chewing needs.
  10. Fidgets: Keep a variety of fidget toys on hand, offering tactile and proprioceptive input to help your child maintain focus and self-regulate. This is one of my favorites.

Remember, every child’s sensory preferences are unique, so it’s essential to observe and explore what works best for your child. But when you incorporate sensory elements into your home, you create a nurturing environment that supports their sensory needs and promotes overall well-being. 

Creating an ABA-friendly home environment is well worth the investment; it not only celebrates your child but also supports your child’s development.

Ensuring Safety: Modifying Your Home for the Safety of Your Child with Autism

When it comes to creating an ABA-friendly home environment, prioritizing your child’s physical safety is as crucial as nurturing their emotional well-being. Implementing safety measures tailored to your child’s specific needs is essential. Here are some key considerations to enhance safety within your home:

  • Childproof Locks: Install childproof locks on cabinets, drawers, pantries, and fridges to prevent access to potential hazards, such as knives or medicines.
  • Playroom/Bedroom Safety: Create a playroom that is free from choking hazards, especially if your child tends to put objects in their mouth. Also, have a dedicated room full of only soft surfaces if you have a child who likes to throw their body around. This designated space allows you to focus on other tasks, like taking a shower or cooking while ensuring your child’s safety.
  • Sleep Safety: Sleep is a big deal for kids with autism and their parents. In recent years, tent beds have transformed everyone’s ability to sleep well at night. My personal favorite is the Abrams Safety Sleeper. It can be strapped to a regular bed frame or set on the floor.
  • Physical and Visual Impairments: If your child has visual impairments, consider adding grab bars near steps and implementing visual cues for changes in surfaces. These safety mechanisms provide guidance and prevent accidents.

Don’t hesitate to consult your ABA therapist for expert advice on maintaining a safe environment for your child. They can share insights into effective safety products that have proven beneficial for other parents, offering valuable recommendations for your situation.

Remember, every child is unique, and safety modifications should be tailored to their individual needs. By implementing appropriate safety measures, you create a secure environment that fosters your child’s overall well-being. 

Embracing Your Child’s Needs through ABA Tools at Home

Creating an ABA-friendly home environment for your child with autism requires some adjustments and adaptations. It may not align with your initial vision of a typical household. However, embracing your child’s unique needs and preferences will make your home feel comfortable and safe for everyone.

By incorporating sensory spaces, communication tools, play areas, safety measures, and maintaining consistent routines, you create an environment that promotes their development and well-being. Make their favorite stimming toys more accessible. And establish a sense of familiarity by keeping routines and toys in designated spots.

Ultimately, your home should reflect the love, understanding, and acceptance you have for your child. By embracing their unique journey and making necessary modifications, you are giving them support. And creating a nurturing environment helps them to grow, learn, and express themselves.

Continue to explore and implement strategies that align with your child’s specific needs. And remember, you’re not alone. Reach out to ABA Connect and other parents in the community for guidance and support. Together, we can create ABA-friendly homes that foster the happiness and development of our children with autism.

Join us on this journey of making your home a nurturing haven — an autism-friendly home environment. By implementing some of these things, your home can be a place where everyone can thrive. 

If you have any questions or comments about ABA therapy, please leave them below. The team at ABA Connect is happy to help answer your questions. 

And if you found this post helpful, please like, share, and follow for more content on autism or ABA therapy.

If you are interested in a positive, play-based approach to ABA, contact ABA Connect.

 

How to Practice ABA Skills at Home

I can’t wait to get home and work on everything my child learned in therapy! Said no mother ever. 

Therapy is not just hard work for my kid; it’s hard work for me. I know a consistent approach is essential to the transference of skills and extinguishing harmful behaviors. But it’s not always fun or easy.

Over the last six years, I’ve learned a bit about the generalization of ABA skills from a therapy session to real life. It’s never like I expect it will be or I want it to be. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be perfect! I can keep practicing.

To stay calm and focused, I think of practicing ABA skills at home in three ways, which I’ll share in this blog post. By the end, you can implement or adapt some of these things to your home life.

Together we journey down this bumpy—but never boring—life of raising a child with autism!

 

ABA Skills

Foundational ABA Skills to Practice at Home 

It is helpful to go back to the basics. Fundamentally ABA is about understanding how the environment influences behaviors. It’s about understanding what brings about positive changes in behavior so you can respond accordingly. 

ABA Connect utilizes play and positive reinforcement, providing rewards or consequences to increase desirable behaviors. By reinforcing positive behaviors, our kids are motivated to repeat them in the future.

So when you intentionally or unintentionally practice ABA at home, try to model how your ABA Connect therapist works with your child. It’s perfectly okay to be playful, fun, and silly when working with your child to help extinguish challenging behaviors and promote desired behaviors. 

Practicing ABA Skills In Response to My Child’s Behavior

If one of my child’s undesirable behaviors sneaks up on me or, more aptly, sideswipes me unexpectedly, the first thing I try NOT to do is my instinctual response. I suspend whatever I want to say or do in mid-air. 

But instead of holding my breath, I let my brain and body take a deep breath and ask, How should I respond? 

When responding to your child at the moment, it’s essential to do so in a way that supports their growth. 

For mine, that can be ignoring when he pinches me for attention and instead telling him to “Tap me.” Or if he’s sucking on his hand incessantly, I gently remove it from his mouth and redirect him to another activity, often chewlry.  

I’m constantly asking myself, 

What is the function of my child’s behavior? 

What is he trying to communicate to me? 

Thinking from his perspective typically informs my approach at the moment. 

I understand this requires you to think on your feet, which is challenging. But if your first response is to THINK about what’s next, you’re already implementing ABA in your home.

Great job. Well done! 

Practicing ABA Skills In Daily Routines

Some of us naturally think proactively.  Whether you do or don’t, there are probably a few routine parts of your day that you can plan. If you plan out the steps to mealtime, playtime, and bedtime, for instance, you won’t have to think about what ABA strategies to use at the moment. 

How can you incorporate ABA skills into: 

Mealtime – I have a Big Mac button that my child can press to tell me either “more” or “all” done. Giving him this communication prevents him from throwing his bowl or spoon when he’s finished eating. 

Playtime – I ask my child to pick up toys at the end of playtime. He’s not sorting toys but can get about ten medium-sized toys into a toy bin. That’s it. That’s my expectation.

Bedtime – Bedtime is a natural time for routines. It’s potty, bath, brush teeth, and bedtime cuddles for my child. To get through these steps efficiently and with minimal redirection, I use a lot of First/Then language, “First, you need to do X. Then you’ll get your puppy (his favorite stuffed animal) once you’re in bed.” 

Consistency and repetition are your friends. They help reinforce ABA skills for your child. As hard as it’s hard to have rigid routines, it can also be a gift because it allows you not to think about every which way the situation could go down. You and your child know what to expect in the mundane parts of your day. 

Daily routines make teaching other family members the skills you learned from your ABA parent training session easy. 

If you can teach your child’s father to say “use your words” at mealtime rather than deal with him throwing the plate or give a sibling permission to ask your child to make a choice using their AAC, you are well on your way to implementing even more ABA strategies at home. 

Practicing ABA Skills When You’re Feeling Run Down

Let’s face it you’re tired. It’s exhausting raising children, and when you have a neurodivergent kiddo, it takes an extra dose of lovingkindness and patience. In addition to doing all of your ABA homework, you’re raising other kids, maybe working a full-time job, making meals, helping with homework, and scheduling vacations. 

Lack of time is one of the biggest obstacles to maintaining a consistent ABA plan at home. We tend to have great intentions, but all of us fun out of time and energy at a certain point. When this happens, give yourself some grace and try again the next day. 

If you’ve gotten to near burnout, sitting down with your BCBA and discussing parent goals may be helpful. 

Going Forward with the Help of ABA Connect

Feeling overwhelmed by your parent or caregiver role in ABA therapy is expected. However, at ABA Connect, our therapists can help you prioritize what you are working on with your child at home. There may be a million things you need to tackle but trust the process of taking each one at a time in order of importance. 

The most important thing is not to give up. Contact your child’s BCBA for support and guidance when you feel overwhelmed. They can help you triage some of your challenges.

Your only focus may need to observe your reactions to your child’s behavior. 

Or, you may need to implement a solid routine to give you a bit more margin in your life. 

And if you genuinely need to take a break and not do ABA for a bit, don’t worry. Take a break and then come back to it with fresh energy. 

If you have any questions or comments about ABA therapy, please leave them below. The team at ABA Connect is happy to help answer your questions. 

And if you found this post helpful, please like, share, and follow for more content on autism or ABA therapy.

If you are interested in a positive, play-based approach to ABA, contact ABA Connect.

 

Supporting Your Child’s ABA Journey with Confidence

Understanding the ABA Parent Training Process at ABA Connect

Before my son Nathan came along, I thought I was a pretty good parent. I knew the fundamentals of providing a nurturing, loving home environment for my child with healthy boundaries and room to develop a sense of self. 

Things were well down the path of normal (whatever that is) when I had my second child. Before he was officially diagnosed with autism, I knew I needed professional help. 

ABA provided the parent support and training I needed.

You know your child best. But you may benefit from some insight, guidance, and encouragement from your ABA provider. I know I did.

This blog post will explore the ABA Connect parent training process, its benefits, and how it can empower you as a parent of a child with autism.

ABA parent training session

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Giving Caregivers ABA Tools So Their Family Life Flows as Comfortably as Possible

During the initial parent consultation process, you may feel overwhelmed by your child’s behavior or disappointed you can’t communicate with your child. You are for sure sleep deprived! And you may even be grieving and having difficulty seeing hope for things improving. 

There is hope with the help of ABA!

ABA can guide you toward a better vision of your child’s future. During parent training, you are given tools to help your child and your family achieve a better overall quality of life.

What is ABA Parenting Training?

ABA parent training equips you, as a caregiver, with practical skills and knowledge derived from the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. It aims to empower parents to implement effective strategies, promote skill development, and address challenging behaviors in their child with autism.

  • Your training includes reinforcement, prompting, shaping, and behavior management skills. These practical applications of ABA will help you in daily routines and interactions your child will have with others.
  • As part of the ABA parent training process, you will collect data and provide parent-reported observations to help track progress and inform decision-making. 
  • You may also benefit from shadowing sessions or observing your child’s therapists in action. You can learn to interact with your child in the same manner as their therapist.
  • Sometimes, a therapist will observe your interactions with your child to help solve some of their specific issues. This can happen in the clinic or the client’s home. Parent training in a client’s home allows the BCBA genuinely understand the family’s difficulties in their daily life and troubleshoot more effectively.
  • The parent/caregiver training process also creates a collaborative approach, fostering a supportive network for your whole family to achieve their goals together.
  • As you gain confidence in implementing ABA strategies, you maximize learning opportunities for your child and reduce their challenging behaviors. 
  • Parent training goes beyond the child’s ABA sessions and aims to empower you to generalize the skills your child is learning to other settings such as school, the grocery store, and the community.  

Getting Started with ABA Caregiver Training

During your initial parent training session at ABA Connect, you will sit down with your child’s BCBA and determine what your goals and priorities are for your child. There may be an overwhelming number of skills and behaviors your child needs to work on. Start identifying the most pressing things to work on for you and your family.

Your BCBA will then begin writing goals and training strategies that align with your priorities. The skills we work on in therapy should be the ones that are truly important to your family. 

ABA Connect therapists take into account your family’s cultural and familial considerations. We understand that different family dynamics exist, such as grandparents needing ABA training. Consider arranging a time to discuss ABA goals and conduct training sessions with these individuals. We value the input of all caregivers. 

While the initial parent training sessions are typically held privately between the BCBA and the parent caregiver, they can transition into observing a session in the clinic or at home. 

Monitoring ABA Progress and Adaptating the Plan Appropriately

Monitoring your child’s progress is a crucial aspect of parent training. Regular contact between the BCBA and parent caregivers allows for ongoing discussions about how things are going. It provides an opportunity to discuss new challenges and make any necessary adjustments to the implemented strategies. 

If a particular strategy is not working as expected, your BCBA can work with you to explore alternative approaches. 

There is always something new to try with the help of ABA.

Reducing Caregiver Stress and Building Parenting Confidence

Parent training significantly reduces stress within the household by providing caregivers with the necessary tools and knowledge to support their child effectively. 

Ultimately, we prepare families for the transition out of ABA services. When that time comes, we want you to feel confident to continue implementing effective strategies throughout your child’s life. By building your knowledge of ABA, you can confidently address new challenging behaviors that may arise.

However, once your child graduates from ABA Connect, we are always here to help. Whether you need to troubleshoot a new issue or re-enroll your child in services, we want to feel you have everything you need to advocate for your child and your family. We can also refer you to a support system of individuals to help encourage you on this journey. 

Often parents of our clients become advocates for ABA strategies and can pass on their knowledge to other individuals in the child’s life who may not have direct contact with ABA providers. Becoming an advocate for your child ensures the generalization of skills across different environments and with the people your child interacts with.

The Benefits of ABA Parent Training:

  • Empowering parents as primary caregivers – Parental involvement in the ABA process often teaches them to manage unexpected behaviors effectively. 
  • Enhancing parent-child relationship – ABA parent training strengthens the bond between parent and child by promoting positive interactions, effective communication, and shared experiences.
  • Promoting generalization of skills – Parents learn how to apply ABA techniques and strategies in various settings, helping their child generalize learned skills beyond therapy sessions.
  • Building a supportive home environment – ABA training can assist parents in creating an autism-friendly home environment that supports their child’s unique needs and fosters overall well-being.

Improve the quality of life for your child, yourself, and your whole family!

The parent training process at ABA Connect empowers parents and caregivers to support their child’s development effectively. By identifying priorities, setting goals, and providing personalized training, we strive to reduce stress, build confidence, and create a collaborative support system for the entire family. 

Parenting a child with autism can be a challenging journey, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. You play a vital role in your child’s development and progress. When done right, parent training gives you valuable tools and strategies to help you support your child’s growth and create a nurturing home environment. 

Remember, you are not alone on this journey. ABA Connect is here to guide and support you every step of the way!

If you have any questions or comments about ABA therapy, please leave them below. The team at ABA Connect is happy to help answer your questions. 

And if you found this post helpful, please like, share, and follow for more content on autism or ABA therapy.

If you are interested in a positive, play-based approach to ABA, contact ABA Connect.