Developing deep bonds of trust with your child, the best ABA therapy providers are like extended family. Indeed, an ABA therapist and your family have the same interests: what is best for your child with autism.
Experience in ABA Therapy
Firstly, how much experience does the provider have in ABA therapy? The more children with ASD the therapist has aided, the more experience they have to work with your family and child’s unique needs.
An ideal practice will have worked with hundreds to thousands of families. Deep clinical expertise and great lovingkindness is what will help your child maximize his potential.
Checking the BCBA
A BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, the leader of the therapy team for your child. To achieve this certification, the specialist must hold a minimum of a Masters degree, meet extensive experience requirements, and pass the national Behavior Analyst Certification Examination.
Your BCBA will first confirm the correct diagnosis with your child’s pediatrician. Then, the BCBA will comprehensively assess your child. This in-depth assessment is how the BCBA understands the specific needs your child has across many behavioral and developmental dimensions.
It takes a village to raise a child, and this certainly is true for a child with autism. In ABA therapy, the BCBA is the leader and will oversee the entire team assisting your child. Oversight by clinical leadership is very important at every level, ensuring everyone in your child’s village is on the same page.
Planning for an Individualized Learning Plan
The best support for your child is highly individualized and customized to her unique strengths and needs. An individualized learning plan is key to customizing ABA therapy to exactly what your child needs. One child may grow best with structured Discrete Trial Training, while another child will respond to play-based Pivotal Response Treatment plans. The best individualized learning plans are customized to how your child learns best. The more fun and natural it is for the child, the better the outcomes will be.