About A.B.C. and ABA Therapy

 

What does A.B.C. stand for? All Behavior is Communication! What does that mean? We at ABC believe that everyone communicates through behavior whether they’re aware of it or not, the question is WHY is this behavior happening? An infant cries when he or she is hungry or wet, but as they grow we can too easily label difficult behaviors as negative. Unwelcome behaviors such as tantrums, biting, hitting, and screaming are just a few examples of when a child is unsuccessfully communicating a need or emotion. Understanding behavior as communication will help us respond in an understanding and compassionate manner. We can then develop a behavior strategy that is “function-based” and can work toward teaching missing skills. By function, we mean what the child is trying to access by engaging in the challenging behavior. This is where Applied Behavior Analysis comes in handy!

 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services work on a wide range of behaviors through behavioral therapy. ABA therapy focuses on how children learn new things and focuses on the child developing new skills and behaviors. The structure of in-home ABA therapy versus clinic based ABA therapy is different. In the clinic setting, the structure is very strict and rigid with very specific rules/schedules. The in-home setting is different where we can teach skills in their natural environment to better help the child generalize these skills to their daily lives and routines. The in-home setting is much more flexible in terms of treatment/therapy. At ABC, we believe in neuroaffirming care!

 

What is neuroaffirming care? Glad you asked!

 

Neuroaffirming care is all about providing support that embraces and respects the incredible diversity of neurotypes, or types of brains. This approach highlights the uniqueness of how our brains work and crafts customized plans to support individuals rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Neuroaffirming care highlights that these differences aren’t problems to be solved but are part of natural neurological variation or neurodivergence. This is an umbrella term that includes not just autistic folks but those with ADHD, Tourette’s, and other conditions. 

Here are some of the fundamental principles of neuroaffirming care: 

1. Knowledge and empowerment: Acknowledging and respecting the person’s neurodivergence, how it affects them, and what their unique experiences are that make them different from neurotypical patients 

2. Individualized support: Tailoring the support and interventions to the specific needs and preferences of the person instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach 

3. Reducing stigmatization: Challenging stigmas and stereotypes associated with neurodivergence and promoting a more accepting environment 

4. Appropriate communication: Adapting communication methods to suit the person’s unique needs and preferences to facilitate cooperation 

5. Promoting autonomy: Empowering people to make decisions and have agency in their own lives and care

6. Physical accessibility: Ensuring spaces are physically accessible and considering and accommodating the person’s sensory sensitivities