We’ve all felt motivated at some point in our lives by a reward system. For adults living with autism, one specific form of therapy exists in which positive reinforcement is a crucial way in which skills become learned and honed.
ABA therapy, or applied behavior analysis, is a form of therapy that has the main focus of improving specific life behaviors. In this article, we’ll explore why ABA therapy for adults is helpful and what this form of therapy entails. But first…
What is ABA Therapy?
The goal of this particular type of therapy is to increase helpful behaviors and decrease harmful behaviors through the science of behavior learning. Some of the skills that get focused on are language and communication, academic-based skills, as well as social skills. ABA therapy is an effective tool used to improve skills and behaviors for children and adults alike.
ABA therapy works by using flexible treatment options unique to each person. Let’s take a look at one of these strategies.
Treatment
We’ve all heard the term positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is a behavioral psychology concept utilized as one of the main strategies for ABA therapy. The process is used to help encourage and strengthen positive behaviors.
With this strategy, the therapist will identify a goal. Upon identification of the goal and continued successful behavior, the individual in question will receive a reward. This could be anything from verbal praise to a physical object. Is ABA therapy harmful? No, in fact, it is quite the opposite.
This positive reward system encourages the individual to continue using said skill, thus reinforcing it as a meaningful behavioral change.
The A-B-Cs
Another helpful part of ABA therapy for autism is referred to as the A-B-Cs. It’s a three-step approach geared toward teaching and understanding behaviors.
- A stands for antecedent
- B stands for behavior
- C stands for consequence
The three steps help the therapist understand why the behavior may be happening and what may affect whether or not the behavior may happen again. With therapy, the individual in question is able to replace inappropriate behaviors with appropriate ones.
ABA Therapy for Adults
ABA therapy is not a one size fits all approach, rather it is an ongoing and malleable form of treatment. Human behaviors can be learned and changed, and that is at the core of what ABA therapy does for individuals.
Patients get evaluated and behavioral principles are then applied in order to modify whichever behavior is most in need of modification. Treatment will differ depending on the level with which the individual in question needs help. Behavioral modification goals may include working on:
- Social skills
- Basic hygiene
- Motor skills
- Learning skills
- Communication
Tailored Help
In general, family members will meet with the therapist during the program in order to review the information and go over what progress was made. This helps provide family members with the necessary tools to help their loved ones successfully use the skills they’ve learned and apply them in their day-to-day.
The individualized nature of the approach provides an effective way for individuals to build lifelong skills. The San Bernardino area offers such programs that are tailored to each individual’s needs.
A Step Forward
ABA therapy for adults is an excellent form of treatment and support for those that may need a little extra help in certain areas of life. It is an effective way to teach the skills necessary to lead a fulfilling life.
If you found the information presented above helpful, feel free to browse through any of the additional articles offered in this blog dedicated to pure living!
