FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. WHAT DOES AN ABA PROGRAMME LOOK LIKE?

Our ABA programmes are individualised to the needs of your child and your family. The programme will be designed according to your child’s age, stamina, and capabilities, and will be delivered at his/her pace. Incidental teaching forms the basis of an ABA programme, during which learning opportunities are created and maximised within the child’s natural setting. If appropriate, specific skills will be taught through formal Task Analysis and Discrete Trial Teaching. Therapy will also be delivered in play-based, self-care, and community-based contexts where necessary.

2. HOW IS THE PROGRAMME DEVELOPED?

At the beginning of a programme, it is important for your child to “pair” with all members of the team. This involves the staff pairing themselves with your child’s favourite activities to help build a rapport and develop a good relationship. This is an integral process to the development of an ABA programme. Once this process is complete, a formal assessment will be completed to ascertain your child’s skill set and areas for development. Targets will then be systematically introduced in accordance with the assessment results and your personal goals for the programme. Establishing an effective communication system, developing foundational skills, and applying function-based behavioural intervention, typically form the basis of an initial ABA programme.

3. WHAT IS THE STAFFING STRUCTURE OF AN ABA PROGRAMME?

All ABA programmes are overseen by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). An ABA consultant will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the programme and will make clinical decisions alongside the BCBA assigned to your child’s case. ABA Therapists will be responsible for the implementation of the ABA programme and will conduct all sessions directly. Once staff have completed training specific to your child’s programme, consultants will intermittently provide additional training as and when required. Consultants will also be responsible for making programme changes, analysing data, conducting further assessments, and meeting with parents and professionals alike.

4. WHAT MAKES ABA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FORMS OF THERAPY?

What distinguishes ABA from many other forms of therapy, is the function-based nature of behavioural intervention. Prior to the implementation of any behavioural intervention, descriptive analytical data is collated regarding the purpose, nature, and consequence of the behaviour observed. This is referred to as A-B-C data collection (Antecedent- Behaviour – Consequence) and helps provide a clear picture of the interaction between the behaviour and the environment in which it occurs. This process ensures that an appropriate and effective intervention is applied in the instance of challenging behaviour. ABA not only focuses on the management of behaviour that challenges, but also on skill acquisition. Establishing an effective communication system and developing an appropriate set of skills is crucial to achieving a sustainable level of progress.

5. I WAS INFORMED THAT ABA ONLY WORKS ON INTENSIVE 40-HOUR A WEEK PROGRAMMES.

Whilst a greater pace of progress can be achieved through an intensive ABA programme, Beam ABA Services firmly believe that intensive ABA therapy does not require a large number of sessions, a drain on financial resources, or require implementation by ABA professionals exclusively. Under the direct supervision of a BCBA, families can implement the approved strategies outside the context of sessions. For sustainable progress to be achieved, your child needs to receive a consistent approach across all contexts, including; the home, school, and community settings. It is therefore essential that families, ABA professionals, and allied professionals (Speech & Language therapists; Occupational therapist; Teachers) work collaboratively to achieve the united goals for your child’s development. Fewer sessions can also accommodate your child’s nursery/school placement and also reduce the impact on overall family life. You can read more on here.