ABA Therapy vs Occupational Therapy

As a parent, you’ll do anything in your power to help your children in life, no matter what their needs are. If your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of those “things” you’ll likely do is seek out the best treatment plan possible for the specific challenges that they face now and will face in the future.

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Luckily, there are multiple options for treatments and therapies today, thanks in large part to the advanced knowledge and information that’s been gained in recent years through research and studies.

As you are searching for answers on the best treatment plans for your child, you likely will come across ABA therapy and occupational therapy. While these treatment approaches are similar in some ways, there are some major differences between the two.

Below, we’ll tackle ABA therapy vs occupational therapy, explaining the key differences and why ABA therapy is the best treatment choice for children with autism.

Table Of Contents

What is ABA Therapy?

ABA therapy, or applied behavioral analysis, is a science-based approach to learning that has proven to be effective according to years of research. It is based on focusing on responses to certain stimuli, and a rewards system for exhibiting certain desired behaviors.

ABA therapy can be administered in a clinical setting, in your home or even at a school environment. It is most commonly done on a one-to-one basis so that the child can focus on learning the skills that are being taught.

This treatment plan is highly customizable and personalized to your child’s unique needs. In time, it helps them to build the social and communication skills that many children with ASD have challenges with.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Like ABA therapy, occupational therapy can be administered to children who have developmental delays. It helps them to regain or acquire skills that they need to thrive.

The ultimate goal of occupational therapy, or OT, is to help children discover independence. Therapists do this by identifying the barriers that are preventing this independence, and then helping them overcome them in a variety of ways.

OT therapists can use play-based games and specialized equipment to help children build fine motor skills, essential life skills and even coping mechanisms, depending on what their biggest challenges are.

Differences of ABA Therapy vs Occupational Therapy

There are many key differences between ABA therapy and OT, which we’ll detail more below. These differences will help you see why ABA therapy is often the preferred treatment plan for children with autism.

Population

One of the biggest differences between the two therapists is the populations that they typically target.

ABA therapy is most often targeted to people who have developmental disabilities. While it can be used effectively for people of any age who have autism or other developmental disabilities, it’s typically used for children with ASD.

OT, meanwhile, is used for a wide range of populations. It can be used for children with ASD, but it’s also used frequently for adults who, for instance, may have lost the ability to walk temporarily because of an injury.

Philosophy

ABA therapy is based around behaviorism. It uses the principle that behavior is learned and can be modified with systematic interventions. As such, the treatment plan helps to shape a child’s behaviors by using positive reinforcement methods.

OT seeks to enhance an individual’s well-being and independence, no matter what is standing in their way of accomplishing this. As mentioned, it can be used for physical limitations that arise after an injury, but can also be used to help people facing cognitive and emotional challenges.

Time Commitment

OT therapy typically follows a similar scheduled to physical therapy. It is usually administered a few times per week for anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, with at-home instructions given for exercises or things that can be done in between sessions.

Meanwhile, ABA therapy is a much larger time commitment. Some people with autism may require as many as 40 hours per week of ABA therapy, and this can last for multiple years.

Plan

Both ABA therapy and OT involve customizing a treatment plan that caters specifically to each individual’s unique needs. However, the treatment plans for ABA therapy are much more specialized.

As mentioned, ABA therapy is most commonly used for children with ASD, so the skills that are taught — as well as how they are taught — are highly specific and specialized.

OT, by contrast, is a more generalized approach for a much wider audience. While the specific treatment plan will be individualized, it is often a more generic approach to overcoming physical, cognitive and/or emotional challenges.

Let Blue Gems ABA Help Your Child Build the Skills They Need

While occupational therapy is very effective at helping a wide range of people overcome a wide range of challenges, ABA therapy is the best treatment method for children with autism. It’s highly-personalized, highly-customizable and highly-specialized in helping children on the autism spectrum gain the social and communication skills they need to succeed in life.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of trained and licensed BCBAs work one-on-one with children with autism, using the principles of ABA therapy to help them with whatever challenges they face.

For more information, please contact us today.