Unlocking Your Child's Potential: 

A Balanced Approach to ABA Therapy

As a parent, you want the very best for your child. If your child has been diagnosed with autism or another developmental difference, you're likely exploring various therapies and interventions. 

 A truly effective ABA program uses a balanced approach, seamlessly integrating powerful teaching methods: Natural Environment Teaching (NET), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), and Direct Instruction (DI). This integrated approach provides a comprehensive and dynamic learning experience, maximizing your child's growth and development.

Imagine Learning That Feels Natural: Natural Environment Teaching (NET)

Think about how your child learns best – through play, exploration, and everyday experiences. Natural Environment Teaching (NET) capitalizes on this natural learning style. NET creates learning opportunities within your child's favorite activities and environments – at home, in the park, or during playtime. It's about turning everyday moments into teachable moments.

• Learning Through Play: NET uses your child's interests to motivate learning. 

• Real-World Skills: NET helps your child learn skills that are directly applicable to their daily life.

• Fun and Engaging: Because NET is based on your child's interests, it's inherently more engaging and enjoyable.

Building Blocks for Success: Discrete Trial Training (DTT) 

DTT is a structured teaching method that breaks down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps. This approach ensures your child masters each step before moving on to the next, building a strong foundation for future learning. 

• Step-by-Step Learning: DTT provides clear instructions, consistent practice, and positive reinforcement, helping your child learn new skills efficiently.

• Shaping for Complex Skills: Shaping is particularly useful for teaching complex skills that your child may not be able to perform perfectly at first. For example, if you're teaching your child to say "ball," you might first reinforce any vocalization, then sounds that resemble "ba," and finally the full word "ball."

Accelerated Learning for Academics and Beyond:

 Direct Instruction (DI)

Direct Instruction (DI) is a powerful teaching method that focuses on clear, explicit instruction and fast-paced learning. It's particularly effective for teaching academic skills, but its principles can be applied to other areas as well.

• Clear and Concise Teaching: DI ensures that your child receives clear and concise explanations, minimizing confusion and maximizing understanding.

• Rapid Skill Acquisition: The fast-paced nature of DI helps your child learn new skills quickly and efficiently.

• Proven Results: DI has a long track record of success in helping children achieve significant academic gains.

The Power of Integration: A Balanced Approach

Beautiful things happen when NET, Shaping, DTT, and DI are used into a balanced approach to meet unique needs at unique times. 

• Holistic Development: This integrated approach addresses a wide range of skills, including communication, social skills, academic skills, and daily living skills.

• Maximizing Potential: By combining the strengths of each method, a balanced approach helps your child reach their fullest potential.

What This Means for Your Child

• Increased Communication: Improved ability to express needs and wants, leading to greater independence and reduced frustration.
• Enhanced Social Skills: Improved ability to interact with others, build friendships, and participate in social activities.
• Stronger Academic Skills: Improved performance in school and a greater love of learning.

• A Brighter Future: A balanced ABA approach provides your child with the tools they need to succeed in school, at home, and in the community.

Choosing the Right Therapy for Your Child

When choosing an ABA therapy program, look for a provider that emphasizes a balanced approach. This ensures that your child receives the most comprehensive and effective therapy possible.

 Momentum Neuro PLLC, Collabotime

Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) 

ACT is a type of therapy and Contextual Behavioral Science based on behavioral principles that can help your child (and you!) manage difficult thoughts and feelings so they don't get in the way of living a full and meaningful life. 

The AIM Curriculum, created by Dr. Mark Dixon, Board Certified Behavior Analyst,  is like a special toolkit to help kids (and even grown-ups!) handle their big feelings and tricky situations. It's based on the idea that we can learn to manage our emotions and behaviors in a way that helps us live happier, more fulfilling lives.

Imagine your child getting really frustrated when they can't solve a puzzle. They might yell, throw the pieces, or give up altogether. The AIM Curriculum teaches them a different way to handle that frustration. It's built on three main ideas:

1. 1. Present Moment Awareness or Mindful Moments: These are like little "brain breaks" that help kids tune into what's happening in the present moment. It could be taking a few deep breaths, noticing how their body feels, or focusing on a sound. It's like a mini-meditation for kids, helping them calm down and focus.

2. ACT Lessons: ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Training. It might sound complicated, but it's really about teaching kids to:

• Accept their feelings in a situation that may be hard for them.  This doesn't mean liking the feelings or tasks but understanding that it's okay to have those feelings. It's like saying, "I notice I'm feeling angry right now," instead of trying to push the anger away.

• Un-hook from tricky thoughts, settings, or even habits: Sometimes, these can get us into trouble. A thought like "I'm not good at anything or  this needs to be perfect" can  be a barrier. 

• ACT helps kids see these as just thoughts, not necessarily the truth.

• Focus on what matters: What's really important to your child, like being a good friend, learning new things, new goals, or being creative. When they focus on these things, it helps them make choices to move-on demonstrating psychological flexibility. 

3. Behavior Management System: This part of the curriculum helps parents and teachers support kids in making positive changes. It provides behavioral analytic and ABA strategies for managing challenging behaviors and helps track progress.

The "Accept, Identify, Move" motto sums it up nicely:

• Accept: "It's okay to feel this way."
• Identify: "I'm feeling frustrated because the puzzle is hard."
• Move: "Even though I'm frustrated, I can use my tools, focus on what is most important to me, and move on. "

The ACT Training &  AIM Curriculum gives your child a set of tools to improve psychological flexibility. 

emergentlearningpress.com

Make Language Fun and Functional with Verbal Behavior Therapy

Imagine a therapy that uses your child's natural motivations to build communication skills.

Verbal Behavior (VB) therapy does just that!

VB therapy teaches children that language is powerful by creating playful, engaging learning opportunities. It helps them meet their needs, connect with others, and make sense of their world.

VB therapy, rooted in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), emphasizes teaching children why we use words. 

By focusing on the function of language, VB therapy helps children:

• Clearly request the things they want (toys, food, attention)
• Label and describe the world around them
• Engage in meaningful conversations

Every child is unique, and their therapy should be too.

Verbal Behavior (VB) therapy offers a highly individualized approach to language development.

At Collabotime we will:

1. Conduct a thorough assessment to understand your child's strengths and needs

2. Develop a customized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals

3.  Use positive reinforcement to motivate your child and make learning fun

Contact us today to learn more about how Verbal Behavior therapy can help your child thrive!

This ABA resource is our FAVE!

Unlocking Your Child's Learning Potential: 

Discover the Power of The Good Learner Repertoires!

As parents, we all want the best for our children,

 especially when it comes to learning. 

But what if there was a way not just to teach them what to learn 

but how to learn more effectively?

Is your child struggling with:

• Following instructions?
• Staying focused on tasks?
• Knowing when or how to ask for help?
• Expressing their needs and preferences?
• Accepting the word "NO"?
• Resistant to correction?

Some children and adolescents have hidden obstacles to growth, and many professionals don't realize that when those are removed, learning can be taken to the next level.

Think of the IGLR as a personalized roadmap to your child's learning and growth. This unique assessment tool pinpoints their strengths and identifies areas where they can shine even brighter. It's not about labels or diagnoses; it's about understanding how your child learns best and the underlying behavioral changes needed for optimal growth.

This isn't just theory—it's practical, actionable advice you can use today. This curriculum resource provides easy-to-follow strategies and real-world examples to help you teach your child those crucial learning skills. 

We'll show you how to break down complex tasks, use positive reinforcement, and create a supportive learning environment where your child can thrive.

Games, Games, Games: :Learning Has Never Been So Much Fun!

Say goodbye to boring drills and hello to engaging games that make learning an adventure!  

These carefully designed games are more than just entertainment; they're powerful tools using ABA to develop motivation and momentum within your child, and teach adults how to develop that key motivation.

(Developed by Steve Ward, BCBA , and Teresa Grimes, BCBA 

of Whole Child Consulting)