Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science-backed intervention for children with developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ABA therapy is becoming more common for many children in need of a safe, structured environment to enhance behavioral and social skills.

As opposed to typical therapy or counseling sessions, ABA therapy addresses a child’s specific developmental needs. If your child received a referral from a physician to begin ABA therapy, you’re probably wondering what these sessions look like.

While each session is customized for your child and their needs, there are several standard procedures associated with ABA therapy. Read on to review seven components you might see throughout ABA therapy treatment.

Assessment

Before beginning therapy, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) clinicians gather information about your child, like their interests, prior therapeutic history, behavior concerns and desired goals for ABA. Board Certified clinicians also perform multiple standardized assessments that determine a child’s skill levels across a range of key domains, such as listening, play, social, reading, writing, and more. All this data is analyzed and synthesized to create a highly personalized plan for your child’s best interests by taking extensive, individualized notes.

Note that much of this information can be gleaned from intake packets if you fill one out as your family gets started.

Therapy in a Structured Environment

Most people, especially children, benefit from routine and consistency; it’s a significant factor in ABA therapy.

Therapy is most effective when conducted in locations where children feel safe and have a sense of routine. Most sessions take place in a dedicated clinic, but other settings can be used. Structured environments reduce stress and anxiety for many people, including children on the spectrum.

Targeted Goals and Data Collection

ABA sessions focus on goals discussed during the initial assessment (with new goals identified along the way). Targeted goals can cover everything from daily routines like getting dressed, to building skills like making a successful trip to the grocery store. The BCBA logs goals that were met along with information about the child’s initial performance to track progress.

If one of your child’s goals is to establish hygiene skills, one session may focus on washing their hands effectively. If your child needs to focus on social skills, your clinician may observe and support their interactions with peers in a group setting.

Clinicians record the data and improve the intervention strategies along the way.

Applied Techniques

To collect data, BCBAs use different applied techniques, such as prompting, fading, reinforcement schedules, discrete trial training, behavior management strategies, and more.

Positive Reinforcement

A licensed BCBA uses positive reinforcement such as praise, tokens, and other rewards the child values to reinforce positive behaviors. Studies show that positive reinforcement for behavior is highly effective. Pairing targeted goals with rewards helps encourage children to continue the behaviors in future sessions and after ABA therapy ends.

Positive reinforcement techniques assist children in other parts of an ABA therapy environment, including one-on-one therapy and naturalistic group activities. Structured circle time, independent play, and group activities are typically part of a full-day schedule in an ABA center.

Parental Involvement

Parental involvement during therapy has been shown to increase a child’s self-esteem. Even if your child seems like they’re independent or don’t need you there, your involvement can be beneficial. Therapists can give parents techniques and strategies to implement at home so children can continue their progress without the presence of the therapist.

Progress Review

At the end of each session, your child’s therapist might review their progress with you, noting positive progress as well as areas to focus on for future sessions. Reviews provide open communication between parents and therapists to mold the child’s sessions for their benefit and immediate goals.

Have Questions?

ABA therapists should never leave you in the dark! They are with you at every step so you can track your child’s progress. You’ll know exactly why and how they implement each technique and how it might develop your child’s skills. Feel free to ask questions about each session so you can feel secure in every decision made.

Brad Zelinger is the founder and CEO of Stride Autism Centers.

If you’re trying to get healthier by making smarter choices with your diet, one of the things that you might need to focus on is overeating.

In a world where there are so many distractions, it can be easy to eat without even thinking about what you’re doing. But when this happens, overeating is almost inevitable. Luckily there are things that you can do to help keep from doing this, at least on a regular basis.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to help you avoid overeating at and between meals.

Slow Down When You Eat

In addition to eliminating distractions around when you’re eating, like putting down your phone or turning off the TV, another thing that can help you to avoid overeating is to slow yourself down.

When you eat too fast, your mind isn’t able to keep up with your body. This means that when your stomach actually feels full, your brain hasn’t yet received this message from it. This can cause you to just keep mindlessly eating until you feel sick. But if you slow yourself down, you can give your mind the chance to catch up to your body and really feel when you’re had enough to eat without going overboard.

To help you slow down when eating, try really focusing on what the food tastes like while you eat it, pausing between taking bites by putting your utensil or food down when you’re chewing, and really paying attention to how the food you’re eating is making you feel.

Eat More Filling Foods

Another thing that you cause people to overeat is to fill their diet with too many foods that aren’t filling enough. If you’re eating foods that don’t even feel like they’re filling up your stomach and helping you feel satisfied, you may need to take a look at what you’re eating.

By eating foods that have a lot of fiber and protein, your body will feel full and satisfied for longer periods of time, as it takes longer for this food to get broken down and used as energy. Not only will this help fuel your body better, but it can help keep you from feeling hungry too quickly after you’ve eaten.

Regulate Your Meal Times

Something else that can result in you overeating is allowing yourself to get too hungry. When you’re feeling extremely hungry, you tend to make poorer health choices with your food as well as eating more than you normally would have. So if you don’t want to do these things, make sure you’re eating food at regular times during the day so that your body never feels like it’s starving for its next meal.

If you want to curb your habit of overeating, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned above to help you with this.

Talking to seniors needs a touch of respect, care, and understanding. This can be for your grandparents or the elders in assisted living homes. As people get older, it’s important that we really keep them close and take good care of their well-being. Here are four manners everyone should remember while dealing with seniors.

Patience and Active Listening

One of the most critical manners when engaging with seniors is patience. Aging can slow down people mentally or physically, making talking a bit tricky for them.

So, give them time to say their piece. Listen well, keep your eyes on them, and don’t cut in midway. This way, they know you value what comes out of their mouth. It makes the chat worthwhile and lifts their spirit, too.

Empathy and Understanding

Empathy is another crucial aspect of interacting with seniors. Imagine being them and think about the issues they could be dealing with. It helps to connect better and lend a shoulder when things get tough.

From health concerns or feeling alone to losing close people, just by listening, you can make their lives easier. Let’s not forget that your kindness can light up even their worst days!

Respect for Independence

Getting older often means wanting to stay independent. It’s key for seniors’ mental and emotional health! So, when talking or dealing with old folks, always respect their choices whenever possible.

Don’t be too intrusive or make calls without asking them first unless it’s really vital for safety reasons. Let them do what they love doing, and give them control over their own lives as much as you can. Such an attitude not only gives a sense of dignity but also boosts happiness in general because they feel more empowered. That improves their quality of life a lot.

Adaptability and Flexibility

Remember, every senior is different. They have their own needs and likes. It’s very important to stay flexible when dealing with seniors. You might need to switch up how you talk or change plans so they’re comfortable and safe. For example, if an elder has trouble walking around, think about outings that are easy for wheelchairs.

Make some changes at home, too, to keep things risk-free. Making these kinds of efforts can really show them you care. By catering your approach based on individual requirements, you build a great bond that feels good for both sides.

Wrapping Up

So, to wrap it up, dealing with seniors takes special care. You have to show patience and understanding while respecting their choices. Being flexible is also key! Doing so can strengthen your bond, whether they’re family or friends living in senior homes.

It’s all about showing them the love they deserve. By keeping these things in mind, you build a strong connection that brings joy into elderly folks’ lives—the end goal of maintaining such relationships!

Health insurance can be a real maze to figure out. Sure, we know about basics like premiums and deductibles, but there’s more under the surface that affects how cheap or valuable a plan really is.

Getting these hidden costs clear in your head changes everything when it comes time to pick healthcare coverage. Let’s dig into some usual health insurance expenses people don’t see coming.

Out-of-Network Charges

One big hidden health insurance cost is out-of-network charges. Lots of plans have preferred provider lists, and you get the best coverage if you stick with them. If your doctor or specialist isn’t on that list, the costs can be substantially higher.

Often, these extra costs are hard to see when picking a plan but can result in scary-high medical bills later on, especially during emergencies where there’s no time for choosing an in-network provider.

Prescription Drug Costs

Prescription drugs are another sneaky area where hidden costs can pop up. Lots of health insurance plans say they’ve got you covered for prescriptions, but how much coverage varies a lot. Some plans have a limited formulary, which means they only cover a specific list of medications.

If your prescription is not on that list, you could face high out-of-pocket costs. Even when the drug is covered, it might come with a high co-payment or after a separate deductible for medications is met. It’s crucial to know all these specifics about prescription drug coverage, so you’re not hit by surprise bills later.

Co-Pays and Coinsurance

Co-pays and coinsurance are well-known aspects of health insurance plans. They can actually hit your wallet harder than you might think. Co-pays are set costs for things like seeing the doctor or getting meds. Coinsurance means paying a part of any service cost.

These costs add up if you see doctors often. High coinsurance rates, in particular, can leave quite a dent in your pocket, especially when dealing with expensive services like surgery or long-term treatments.

Administrative Fees and Premium Increases

Administrative fees and premium increases are often overlooked when evaluating the cost of a health insurance plan. Administrative fees are tricky. Those can cover things like handling claims and payments, and they’re different for each plan.

Additionally, premiums can increase over time, often annually. This could make your insurance seriously pricey over time. Keep these increases in mind when picking a policy. If you’re not sure where to start, consulting with an independent insurance agency can help in understanding these costs and how they might affect your future financial planning.

Conclusion

You have to look beyond the big numbers, like premiums and deductibles, when picking health insurance. Sneaky costs can catch you off guard. Getting savvy about all these could help you choose a plan that meets both your healthcare needs and budget!