Common problems encountered in ABA therapy! How can I overcome this?

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) treatment focuses on improving targeted behaviors and skills and is known to help develop children's communication, social skills, and self-help skills.

However, the process of ABA therapy is not something that can be completed in just a few months, and it is not easy to achieve. Today, I would like to talk about common problems encountered while doing ABA and how to overcome them.

1. Maintain consistency and routine

It can be really difficult to be consistent and do something every day. Maintaining a consistent routine for your child, especially with different schedules, can be very difficult.

Because it is a difficult task, ABA continues to emphasize consistency. This consistency helps children understand society's expectations and reduces anxiety, really! It's important .

<If you find it difficult to maintain consistency, do this!>

• Tip 1 : Try setting a daily schedule and stay consistent by prioritizing key activities like meals, therapy sessions, and bedtime.
• Tip 2 : Visual aids are effective not only for children who have communication difficulties, but also for adults who have difficulty staying consistent. Post the visual schedule on a wall where you can see it and watch it with your child one by one at a set time .
• Tip 3 : Consistency will be better if all family members or caregivers have the same goals and can help each other. Maintain a consistent approach to your child through collaboration, and communicate regularly between caregivers.

2. Managing behavioral outbursts

Because it is a process that requires children to continuously inform children of things they are not good at and help them learn them, there are times when children do not want to do what they are not good at and sometimes want to avoid them.

Or, individual children may exhibit challenging behavior such as irritability, aggression or self-harm for their own reasons, which can be incredibly stressful for everyone.

<If you face a challenging action, do this>

• Tip 1 : Be sure to carefully observe the factors that trigger the behavior and collect data (identify the ABCs, determine the cause, etc.) whenever the behavior occurs. Behavioral records can help you identify behavioral patterns and triggers.
• Tip 2 : Think about which strategies to use, such as positive reinforcement and teaching alternative behaviors. For example, if your child throws tantrums to avoid a task, teach them how to ask for a break instead.
• Tip 3 : Use calming techniques such as deep breathing exercises, sensory activities, or creating a quiet, safe space. Providing a designated space for children to calm down can be very effective.

3. Generalization of technology

It may be difficult for children to use the skills they have learned in different environments and contexts.

<Please do this for generalization>

• Tip 1 : Practice the skills you have learned in a variety of environments and with different people. For example, practice your communication skills at home, school and with your neighbors.
• Tip 2 : It is a good idea to increase your adaptability by gradually increasing the complexity and variability of the task you are practicing. Start with simple tasks and gradually add more difficult tasks as your child becomes more proficient. For example, when teaching addition and subtraction, at first you teach 1+1, 2+1, 3+1... but when the child gets good at it, mix it up with 1+1, 1+2, 3+1. , then you can try changing it to 1+2, 1+2, 3+2.

4. Parental involvement

Parents may feel burdened or unsure about learning or effectively using ABA strategies.

However, parents are the ones who know their child best, and they are also the ones the child opens his/her heart to and relies on the most. As parents who have the greatest influence on a child's growth, their participation is of great help in the long run.

<If you want to increase participation in the treatment process>

• Tip 1 : If you are receiving ABA therapy, you will also be receiving parent education. Parent education not only builds confidence, but also increases hands-on experience and improves interaction skills with children.
• Tip 2 : Get help from an expert and start with very simple strategies at first, then try progressively more complex strategies as you gain confidence!
• Tip 3 : It is better to get information from trusted sources such as books, online courses, and support groups to better understand your child. As I said at the beginning, ABA is a long-term game! Continuous learning is a great help in using effective strategies tailored to your child.

5. Overcoming communication difficulties

Language is very important in expressing our needs and desires. However, communication does not necessarily have to be through sound. Please help them ‘communicate’ quickly rather than making them ‘talk’ faster.

In order to overcome communication difficulties and ensure that your child's needs and desires are met appropriately and quickly, it is important to utilize a variety of resources tailored to your child.

<Would you like to help your child communicate?>

• Tip 1 : Don’t be afraid to utilize Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices or Picture Exchange System (PECS) to support communication! The sooner children learn how to express themselves more effectively, the faster we can communicate with them.
• Tip 2 : Help your child use simple sign language, gestures, or similar sounds. Even small attempts at communication such as these should be continuously reinforced positively and helped to communicate.
• Tip 3 : Be patient, give your child ample time to express himself, and positively reinforce him for trying. Praise and support all communication attempts, even if they are not perfect.

Not only children but also adults (not only parents but also teachers like me) who go through ABA therapy experience various difficulties and concerns. But the important thing is to try to do something today, even if you don't think it's progress. Taking one step forward!

Step by step, it piles up, and when you look back, you can see the stairs you climbed and the child's growth, and even if you can't see it, you realize that it has been steadily increasing day by day.

So even on days when I feel like I can't do it, I'll try to take just one step forward. :)