What is ABA?

What is ABA? Well, ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis and it one of the most widely used treatments for Autism. Studies have shown that behaviors can be taught through a system of rewards and consequences. The behavioral piece is based on scientific principals of behavior and the analysis piece of it is when the progress is measured (usually by data collection) and specific interventions are modified.


Christina has been receiving ABA therapy since she was 2 years old and continues this therapy 4 times per week - usually 2 and 1/2 hours a session. Right now, her skills trainers are working on gaining her compliance. She is expected to follow directions, such as sitting at a table and tending to certain tasks. When Christina does what she is expected to do, she is rewarded with either food items or her favorite toys. She is smart too, if she knows what the reward is and doesn't care for it at that time, she won't work for it. Most of the time though, she shows that she wants to learn and craves the praise she receives! She loves to be told what a great job she is doing. The glow on her sweet little face is indescribable when she knows she has done something well.


It is amazing to see her tending to a task for a long period of time. This little girl LOVES puzzles and the challenge that new ones present to her. 


Here are two clips from her ABA session yesterday. In the first video, you will see Christina focusing on an ABC puzzle, then losing focus on it, and regaining focus. She knows that after finishing it, she gets an M&M, which motivates her...


The second video shows her skills trainer, Jonathan, gaining her compliance. He leads her, then walks away and sits and the table. He tells her "come here", and then rewards her for her compliance. The point of this is to get Christina to listen when I (or anyone) tell her "come here" when she is asked in any given situation.


Most people don't realize how challenging some of the most basic things are for children on the spectrum - like compliance and focus. Raising twins, where one is "typical" and one is on the spectrum, is the most challenging thing I have ever had to face - It is like night and day. For whatever reason that I have been faced with this challenge, I am grateful because I have never been so tough, so patient, and so willing to learn about something. Christina and I are BOTH determined to progress forward because the truth is, we are BOTH learning. We are learning how to get through this together...