Frequently Asked Questions

ABA therapy is a form of therapy based on behaviorism that focuses on increasing positive behaviors and reducing negative ones through positive reinforcement and other techniques. It can be used to teach a variety of skills such as communication, social interactions, and self-care. It is typically provided by a team of professionals including a BCBA and a Registered Behavior technician (RBT) where the RBT provides direct therapy and a the BCBA oversees the case. A child may qualify for as much as 30-40 hours per week of direct ABA therapy depending on their individual needs.

Despite its effectiveness, ABA has faced some criticisms such as an over-emphasis on compliance, ethical concerns about reinforcement techniques, and a lack of emotional development focus. However, it’s still considered as evidence-based therapy and has been proven to improve outcomes for individuals with autism, it’s crucial to take into account the specific needs and preferences of the person receiving the therapy and to collaborate with a certified professional who can provide the therapy in a way that addresses these criticisms.

Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) are a type of therapy that aim to provide a more naturalistic, child-centered, and family-centered approach to treatment for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. NDBIs focus on the child’s unique strengths, interests and needs, and take place in naturalistic settings such as the child’s home or community. They involve the child’s family and caregivers as active participants in the intervention and have a strong developmental focus, placing a strong emphasis on social interactions, connection with caregivers, and communication. NDBIs are flexible and adaptive, meaning that the interventions can be modified as the child’s needs change over time. NDBIs can be especially beneficial for young learners with autism, providing a more naturalistic and child-centered approach to therapy which may help increase generalization of skills and improve overall outcomes.

NDBI parent coaching offers a range of benefits for families. By embedding the strategies within their daily routines, parents can provide children with more hours of learning and practice, which improves their social communication skills. Furthermore, children learn through meaningful activities that enable them to apply their skills in new situations. As a result, parents feel more confident in supporting their child’s development, and have less stress and more positive parent-child interactions.