While our therapists play a crucial role in the treatment plan for your child on the autism spectrum, involvement of you, the parents and caregivers, significantly enhances the effectiveness of our ABA therapy sessions and leads to the best outcomes for your child.
Why Parental Involvement Matters in ABA Therapy
Parental involvement allows us to craft the most individualized treatment plan for your specific child and allows us to adjust the plan as often as needed to achieve the goals agreed upon.
Consistency Across Environments Leads to Better Outcomes
Consistent reinforcement of learned behaviors across different environments (therapy sessions, home, school) is the key to generalizing skills. When parents use the same strategies and reinforcements that your child experiences during our ABA therapy sessions in center, it helps solidify your child’s learning and gives your child clear expectations across a variety of settings.
Enhanced Progress and Skill Acquisition
Parental involvement invariably accelerates your child’s progress. Parents that are trained to reinforce positive behaviors learned in our center and practice the same skills at home give their child more opportunities to practice and remember certain skills. This leads to faster and more robust skill acquisition.
How Parents Can Support ABA Therapy
Attend Training Sessions
Norfolk Autism Center encourages parents to attend training sessions offered by the ABA provider. These sessions equip you with the knowledge and skills to implement ABA techniques effectively at home. In addition, we’ll spend at least one hour per month in your home working with your child, and the entire family, to support expansion of skills learned in center to the home environment.
Set Realistic Goals for ABA Therapy
Work with our therapists to set realistic and achievable goals for your child. This ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives. The treatment plan can be adjusted as needed to ensure the best outcome for your child over time.
Create a Structured Environment at Home
Creating a structured and predictable environment at home, similar to the therapy setting, helps your child feel secure and understand what is expected of them in a variety of settings. Consistent routines ensure the most predictable behavior from your child.
Practical Tips for Integrating ABA Strategies at Home
Use Positive Reinforcement
We teach parents how to use positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. We’ll share examples of rewards that are motivating for your specific child, whether they prefer verbal praise, stickers, or small treats.
Implement Behavior Plans
Parents can implement specific behavior intervention plans designed by our therapist in the home environment. This will include strategies for managing challenging behaviors, using visual schedules, and practicing communication skills.
Regular Communication with Therapists is Key To ABA Therapy Success
We cannot stress enough importance of maintaining regular communication with our ABA therapists. Sharing observations, concerns, and progress updates helps ensure that the therapy remains effective and responsive to your child’s needs.
Parental Involvement in ABA Therapy is Critical to Long-Term Success for Your Child
Parents play a critical role in the success of ABA therapy for their child. We encourage parents to be proactive partners in their child’s therapy journey, because we know first-hand that your involvement will lead to significant, positive changes in your child’s development.
Ready to Get Started at Norfolk Autism Center?
Norfolk Autism Center believes every child with autism deserves the best treatment possible. We are here to provide the most comprehensive and compassionate care for your child and look forward to working with your family. Contact us today for a free consultation.
