Benefits of Home Based ABA in Baltimore MD

Applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, is widely recognized as one of the best treatment options for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The treatment method follows evidence-based research to approach learning and behavior from a scientific perspective. There is a variety of information available about ABA therapy in MD specifically.

BCBAs administer ABA therapy in a very unique way — most of the time one-on-one and according to a plan that’s personalized to each individual child. Before any ABA therapy treatment program is started, the ABA therapist will observe the child and speak to their parents/guardians to discover what their strengths are and what areas they might need help with the most.

Only then can an ABA therapy program be catered to their unique needs.

There are some other factors at play when it comes to the effectiveness of ABA therapy. One is the location where the therapy is done, either in a clinical setting or at the child’s home.

Below, we describe some of the main benefits of home-based ABA therapy in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Table Of Contents

Convenience

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of having ABA therapy administered in the child’s home is the convenience of doing so. Parents and caregivers don’t have to fit the child’s ABA therapy into their hectic schedules, and worry about the challenges they may face with shuttling their child to and from a clinic.

Many children on the autism spectrum face big challenges when it comes to entering new environments. As such, going to a clinic-based ABA therapy program might cause them extra anxiety, worry and concern.

This is not an issue when the ABA therapy is done in the child’s on home.

More than that, the therapy can be administered on days and times that work best for the family, so that there are limited disruptions to work and other schedules.

Familiarity

From the child’s perspective, the familiarity of their home environment can be a big factor in the success of an ABA therapy program. When a child feels comfortable in their surroundings, they are more likely to be focused, attentive and receptive to learning new things.

The home environment can ensure that there aren’t more stressors added to the equation for the child, who might already be experiencing stress and anxiety on a daily basis. It’s important for children to be comfortable during ABA therapy sessions, as that helps build trust between them and the ABA therapist.

The therapy also doesn’t have to be relegated to just inside the home. It can be taken outdoors to the yard, for a walk on the sidewalk or at a nearby park that they’ve visited before.

Applicability

ABA therapy relies on positive reinforcement to teach new skills and allow children to understand the appropriate behavioral responses to certain situations and stimuli. For instance, if the direction is to pick up a plate and put it on the table and the child follows the instructions correctly, they may be rewarded with a toy they love to play with.

When the ABA therapy is done in their home, both the prompts and the rewards can be of things that they will encounter every day. The plate that they are picking up, for example, will be a plate that they have in their house, and the toy they are rewarded with will be their own toys.

While this can be replicated in a clinical setting, it’s not as applicable since the therapist will just be replicating an experience the child will have at home.

Involvement of the Family

A key factor in the success of ABA therapy is the reinforcement of the skills that are taught by the therapist long after sessions have ended. This requires family members to be involved, including parents, caregivers, childcare providers, siblings and others in the home.

ABA therapists will often seek these people out to show them what is being taught and how they can continue working on these skills outside of ABA therapy sessions. This is a much easier process if the therapy is administered in the home — where the other family members will likely be.

By having ABA therapy in the home, other family members can easily observe how the practice of ABA therapy is taught and what role they can play when the therapist leaves.

Trust Blue Gems ABA with Your Child’s Therapy

ABA therapy is the most effective way at helping children on the autism spectrum gain the social, communication and daily life skills with which they often face challenges. This therapy can be administered both in a clinical and home setting, though there are many advantages that home-based ABA therapy provides.

At Blue Gems ABA, we have an experienced team of BCBAs who administer ABA therapy to children at their homes in the Baltimore, Maryland, area. Insurance may even cover your child’s therapy, learn more about insurance coverage for aba therapy in Maryland.

To learn more, please contact us today.