happy kid play superhero , boy power concept
Learning that your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at an early age provides families with an amazing opportunity to get support early. Children who begin early intervention services in the early pre-school years are likely to have improved long-term outcomes and catch up to the skills of typically developing peers while the gap is small.
ABA Therapy is an individualized approach that is tailored toward each child’s specific needs and is currently the number one recommended therapy for the treatment for children diagnosed with ASD. The therapy is based on strategies that are research driven, empirically validated and developed as a team with each family.
A successful Early Intervention program works to promote and develop speech, self-help skills, communication skills, feeding and school readiness skills. It is essential that these programs are led by Board Certified Behavior Analysts also known as BCBAs and implemented by Registered Behavior Technicians also known as RBTs. It is recommended that early intervention be provided for 25-40 hours per week. In home settings, the therapists will work with your child in your home during times that are convenient to you.
Here are some advantages of receiving Early Intervention at home:
A Comfortable Environment
Your home is where your child is most comfortable. Your child’s favorite toys, movies, and foods are at home, which are great resources to incorporate into skill-building programs. If your child has a toileting accident, a familiar bathroom is close by. Lastly, as a parent, you are more likely to be in the same place where your child is receiving services. You can see how the therpist is interacting with your child at all times, and how treatment is progressing.
A Controlled Environment
The home also provides a relatively controlled environment, as compared to schools and centers. The latter are more likely than not to have more distractions from other kids and staff. At home, you have greater freedom to arrange the learning environment exactly how you want, in order to maximize learning gains.
A Steady Environment
Finally, the home is typically more conducive to intensive treatment of up to 40 hours a week, if the particular case warrants that level of intensity. Moreover, since those 40 hours all occur in the same setting, the therapist is more likely to establish a regular daily routine with your child that also involves you, the parent.
If your child is diagnosed with ASD and is not yet receiving services, it is strongly encouraged to look into ABA programs as soon as possible. The earlier services are received, the more likely your child is to make lasting progress. For more information regarding where you can receive early intervention services and what is included in a great early intervention program, contact begin@verbalbeginnings.com or give us a call at 855.866.9893.
By Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D, President and Founder of bSci21Media, LLC
