What to Do if Your Child Resists ABA Therapy

Many children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will be referred to applied behavior analysis. ABA therapy, as it’s also known, is a science-based approach to learning that can help children with autism build key communication and social interaction skills while also helping them modify any negative behaviors.

As the leading treatment plan for children on the autism spectrum, ABA therapy has been proven to be very effective at helping patients gain the skills and knowledge they need to live as independently as possible.

At times, though, children may be resistant to ABA therapy, especially if it is something new to them. Resistance to new things is not uncommon at all for children with ASD, as most parents know, since they tend to thrive on set routines and familiarity.

So, what should you do if your child resists the ABA therapy that they need? We’ll talk about some of the ways that you can help your child become more engaged in their treatment.

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Why Do Some Children with ASD Resist ABA Therapy?

It’s common for children with autism to resist any change, even slight alterations to their daily routine. It shouldn’t be a shock, then, if your child resists ABA therapy — especially at first.

When children with autism are exposed to something new, they are often resistant to it at first. This could be because they feel overwhelmed about the new environment they’re unfamiliar with, the new people who they are being introduced to, and/or the new tasks and activities they’re asked to engage in.

If your child is feeling overwhelmed, it could result in them crying, throwing a tantrum or exhibiting some other resistant behavior. These are all ways that your child is trying to express how they feel while also being a mechanism that they feel protects them.

 

How Can Manage Your Child’s Resistance to ABA Therapy?

As a parent of any child, it’s important to understand the emotions they’re feeling and sympathize with them. At the same time, it’s also your job to help your children work through whatever challenges they’re facing so that they are able to do important things in life.

For children with ASD, one of those important things is attending and engaging in ABA therapy. So, how can you manage your child’s resistance to ABA therapy so that they get the support they need?

Here are some strategies that you can employ to help them manage that resistance.

Create an Environment That Makes Them Feel Safe

Children with autism are more likely to comply and engage when they feel safe. This helps to dissipate any feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed, which enables them to be more open to learning.

Parents must practice active listening and understand why their child is resisting ABA therapy so that they can address that aspect. Then, they can work to create an environment that makes their child feel safe, working in tangent with the therapist.

Reframe What Therapy Is

ABA therapy can be a foreign concept to children with autism, which could trigger resistance behaviors. So, reframing this foreign concept into something they’re familiar with could help reduce this resistance.

For example, you could reframe what the therapy is by comparing it to a doctor’s visit, school or something else that your child has experienced in the past. It’s also important to emphasize the parts of ABA therapy that are most likely to motivate your child, such as activities that they enjoy.

Find a Therapist Who is a Good Match

For ABA therapy to work as intended, your child will need to put their trust in the therapist who they will work with on a daily basis. If they don’t trust their therapist and/or feel comfortable and safe with them, they are more likely to resist the treatment.

That’s why it’s important to find a therapist who is a good match for your child. This can be done through introductory meetings and by having them engage with each other on a “test basis” to build that trust, respect, comfort and understanding.

Use Positive Reinforcement at Home

Positive reinforcement is a major aspect of ABA therapy sessions, and you can use that at home to encourage your child to participate and engage. You can reward your child for not resisting therapy and being cooperative when you need to travel to therapy or welcome a therapist into your home.

Set them up for success by using visual calendars, visual timers and countdowns — all of which set clear expectations. When your child is better able to predict what’s coming next, they are more likely to feel secure and cooperate better.

Trust Blue Gems ABA with Your Child’s Treatment

Some children with ASD may be resistant to ABA therapy, for a variety of reasons. By following some of the strategies above, you can get to the root causes of why they might be resisting and help them overcome these challenges they face.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of dedicated and sympathetic BCBAs administer ABA therapy on a one-to-one basis, building trusting and safe environments for each one of our patients. This allows us to engage better with every child we serve, which leads to better outcomes such as improved communication and social skills, as well as the reduction of problem behaviors.

To learn more, please contact us today.