ABA Therapy

About ABA Therapy at The Speech Clinic Dubai

At The Speech Clinic in Dubai, we specialize in providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our dedicated team of professionals is committed to helping children develop essential skills and achieve their maximum potential. Through the use of evidence-based ABA techniques, we create a supportive and engaging learning environment that fosters growth and progress.

What is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapeutic approach widely recognized for its effectiveness in addressing a variety of behavioral challenges and promoting skill development. ABA is considered an evidence-based “best” practice treatment by the US Surgeon General and by the American Psychological Association. “Evidence based” means that ABA has passed scientific tests of its usefulness, quality, and effectiveness. ABA therapy is rooted in the principles of behavior and learning, and it has been particularly successful in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities

Who can provide ABA?

ABA treatment involves a tiered service delivery model wherein Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) implement the treatment programs designed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or by a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).

How is my child assessed?

A first step in skills training during an ABA session is usually includes an in-depth parent interview. It is followed by an assessment tool such as

• Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills “ABLLS-R” or
• Verbal Behavior Assessment and Placement Program “VB-MAP”

A comprehensive assessment is conducted to identify specific areas of focus and develop an individualized treatment plan. Goals address all aspects of a child, including cognitive skills, executive functioning, communication, behavioral goals, and social skills, sensory and other goals as needed. This person-centered approach ensures that interventions are personalized and responsive to the individual's abilities, interests, and preferences.

Where are ABA services provided?

ABA can be provided and practiced in a hospital, home, clinic or community setting (including but not limited to schools, day-care, stores, car, a church, relatives home, etc.).

What is the ABA based therapies?

• Discrete Trial Learning (Training) is based on the understanding that practice helps a child master a skill. It is a structured therapy that uses a one-to-one teaching method and involves intensive learning of specific behaviors.
• Incidental Teaching (or Natural Environment Training) is based on the understanding that it is important to give real-life meaning to skills a child is learning. It includes a focus on teaching skills in settings where your child will naturally use them. Using a child’s natural everyday environment in therapy can help increase the transfer of skills to everyday situations and helps generalization
• Verbal Behavior is similar to discrete trial training in that it is a structured, intensive one-to-one therapy. It differs from discrete trial training in that it is designed to motivate a child to learn language by developing a connection between a word and its meaning. Verbal behavior encompasses the functional use of language, including both expressive and receptive skills.
• Pivotal Response Training is a naturalistic, loosely structured, intervention that relies on naturally occurring teaching opportunities and consequences. The focus of PRT is to increase motivation by adding components such as turn-taking, reinforcing attempts, child-choice, and interspersing maintenance (pre-learned) tasks.

All of these ABA-based therapies: Are structured collect data for target skills or behaviors Provide positive strategies for changing responses and behaviors. By utilizing evidence-based techniques, ABA therapists help individuals develop their verbal skills and increase their ability to effectively communicate their wants, needs, and thoughts.

What is pairing in ABA?

Pairing refers to developing a positive rapport with a learner. Relationship building between a therapist and a learner is critical for ABA therapy to be successful—the pairing process is essential in creating a fun, working relationship with the learner. ABA therapists use pairing on an ongoing basis.

What does an ABA session look like?

ABA therapy employs a systematic teaching approach to facilitate learning. It involves breaking down complex skills into smaller, manageable steps and systematically teaching each step before moving on to the next. By employing positive reinforcement and prompting techniques, individuals gradually acquire and generalize skills.

Where is ABA therapy operated?

ABA programs cover a wide range of domains, including

1. Communication skills
   • Requesting desired items
   • Naming or describing items in the environment.
   • Receptive language such as following instructions.
   • Using alternative modes of communication if needed (e.g., sign language, communication devices)
     
     
2. Self-help / Daily living skills
   • Personal hygiene
   • Meal preparation
   • Money management
     
     
3. Social skills
   • Taking turns
   • Conversation
   • Sharing
   • Joining a group and working with others towards a common goal
     
     
4. Academics skills
   • Academic skills aligned to general education content standards
   • Functional academic skills needed for success in everyday life
     
     
5. Leisure skills
   • Interests
   • Hobbies
   • Board games
     
     
6. Vocational skills
   • Having back-and-forth conversations with a customer
   • Practicing good personal hygiene and understanding work-appropriate attire
   • Time management