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ABA Therapy

Behavior therapy for kids with autism

We are committed to meet your child right where they are. Hopebridge helps your kiddo find and build on their strengths.

Everyone excels if given the right opportunities

If your child has autism or if there is a concern they might have autism, you’ve likely heard about Applied Behavior Analysis from your pediatrician. Or another parent told you how much it helped her son or daughter in the years leading up to school. Maybe you read about it online. But what does ABA look like and how does it work? Chances are, you still feel you’re lacking details on what it means for your child, and we’re here to show you its life-changing power.

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Understanding how learning takes place

Simply put, Applied Behavior Analysis is a scientific, behavioral management approach. By utilizing basic principles of behavior, special techniques and positive reinforcement, ABA therapy can bring about significant, measurable change. It’s a way to shape and mold actions for effective communication and learning. It has been proven to improve attention, focus, social skills and memory, as well as decrease behaviors such as noncompliance, aggression, self-injury and stereotypy. ABA methods help kiddos replace hindering behaviors so they learn “what to do,” not just “what not to do.”

The ABA Breakdown

ABA is a structured, data-driven way to change behavior by looking at what is reinforcing it. Behavior that is reinforced tends to be repeated, and behavior that is not reinforced will disappear. The practice concentrates on antecedents (environmental situations that occur before the behavior) and consequences.

People often believe “consequence” is a negative term, but instead, think about it as what happens after a behavior. In ABA, we focus on the positive side of this principle to teach new skills and minimize other actions. One technique starts with a prompt, and when therapists get the responses they are looking for, they introduce a reinforcer to let the kids know it’s a good thing they want to see again…a high five, toy, snack or some other kind of praise.

Using ABA to teach consists of breaking down activities into smaller pieces in order to tackle larger goals. It may take a little longer for kids with autism to learn certain tasks that come naturally to others because their minds work in a different way. Our goal is to make sure we give them the attention and means to the same opportunities so they can reach their own goals.

Sample ABA Schedules
We focus on early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI), which is traditionally geared toward children ages 18 months to 7 years, though we can tailor programs for kids as young as 15 months and up to age 10. Evidence shows consistent and comprehensive therapy for 20 to 40 hours over five days per week yields the best clinical outcomes. Hopebridge specializes in providing clinical recommendations and therapy for children who meet the criteria for both full- and part-time schedules. Here is what a schedule might look like for your kiddo:

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How has ABA helped children?

Applied Behavior Analysis is a big time commitment, but more than 20 scientific studies have demonstrated its results.

The U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association consider ABA an “evidence-based best-practice treatment”—meaning the evidence is in: ABA works hard for your child…we take that pretty seriously!

In a 2006 study, 21 children with autism spectrum disorder received 35–40 hours a week of ABA treatment for three years. Another 21 children took public school and special education classes, but did not receive ABA treatment.

Group receiving ABA therapy

Significantly higher IQ/adaptive behavior scores
17/21 children included in regular education after 3 years

Group not receiving ABA therapy

Stagnant IQ/adaptive behavior scores
1/21 children included in regular education after 3 years

There are plenty of other studies demonstrating similar amazing results, like this one from 2014.

ABA can help your child achieve many milestones.

Applied Behavior Analysis is a very long name for a very effective therapy. ABA immerses your child in a caring, positive environment with a plan of care that is tailored specifically for them. Take a peek at some of the many milestones they can achieve with ABA support:

  • Reduce aggression and cope with outbursts
  • Improve communication and language skills
  • Play with kids their own age
  • Focus on schoolwork
  • Get dressed, bathe and brush their teeth

Benefits of In-Center ABA Therapy +

More independence

We use ABA to inspire independence. Centers are equipped with various settings to teach foundational, adaptive living and leisure skills so kids aren't as reliant on others to get through the day.

Reduction of behaviors

Children with autism can have difficulties with extracurricular activities because maladaptive behaviors aren't manageable. ABA is effective in reducing these to give them the opportunity to engage

Measurable, positive reinforcement

By rewarding certain behaviors, we are able to experience kids' responses in multiple environments, as well as encourage future recurrence and generalization.

Divide goals into smaller wins

Change doesn't come from broad sweeping goals. Our therapists have it down to a fine science with daily battles (and time to dedicate to them) and tiny goals added together to produce results.

Comprehensive, productive environment

Our centers enable us to carry out personalized, 1-to-1 therapy over an extended period of time. Therapy isn't capped at 1-2 hours a week, allowing us to go more in depth than other providers.

More control over variables

At our centers, we have more control over the environment. We can eliminate barriers to learning and work with kids in a setting where they're not conditioned to respond as they might at home.

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Autism: It's only a word; not a sentence

Watch as Hopebridge experts break down the diagnosis and why ABA is so effective in treating these kiddos.

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What is it like to work with us?

Find out what it is like to dedicate your time to some mini superheroes for a living.

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Why does Hopebridge focus on ABA?

Thankfully in today’s world there are more options than ever for individuals with autism. At Hopebridge, we choose to focus on ABA therapy because it is an evidence-based, “best” practice treatment.

Not only has it passed scientific tests of its usefulness, quality and effectiveness, but we’ve seen it change lives, first hand.

We encourage you to do your research to find what works best for your family. You are welcome to join us for a tour and conversation to learn more about what center-based ABA therapy and our Hopebridge 360 Care model* have to offer.

A new approach to learning

Children on the autism spectrum are capable of learning the same skills as neurotypical children; they just need to use different strategies to get there. Hopebridge focuses on teaching kids the way they learn rather than trying to fit them into some kind of mold, which unfortunately many experience if they attend school without first receiving behavioral therapy. One of the great things about ABA is that its span and scope are broad and encompass multiple areas. In combination with other complementing therapies, skills that can be taught through principles of ABA include (but are not limited to):

  • Communication and language
  • Social interactions
  • Adaptive living
  • Play and leisure
  • Self-care