Types of ABA services | Butterfly Effects

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In-home ABA treatment

A home-based ABA treatment model occurs when the services are provided in the child’s home. Unlike many other therapies, the BCBA and behavior technician come into your home to provide the treatment.

The benefit of in-home ABA therapy is that the family priorities for treatment can be addressed in the child’s natural environment (i.e. their home, Grandma’s house, the car, the store, the park, etc.). The child receives these services in familiar, safe, and relaxed settings where family members can easily participate. Teaching new skills and replacing challenging behavior with functional appropriate behavior in the child’s natural environment allows skills to easily generalize to new people and other settings that are important to the child and the family (schools, community events, and family outings). In-home treatment models also encourage opportunities to engage with other peers, siblings, and family members.

Finally, there is greater flexibility in a home-based setting, where the child learns new skills while fitting into the lifestyle and routines of the family unit, which includes the adjustments and interruptions that come along with everyday life.

School-based ABA therapy

Classroom-based ABA therapy offers supported opportunities for the child to participate in the classroom schedule and instruction along with their same-age peers. ABA therapy in the school setting focuses on fitting into the routines of the classroom to best support the success of the child in collaboration with classroom instructors.
ABA treatment in this environment focuses on the necessary skills for the student to successfully navigate learning new material, interacting with their classmates, waiting, and attending for periods of time among other student learner needs in a school environment.

Many schools permit the child’s ABA treatment to work in schools and consult with teachers. This collaboration allows schools and the ABA treatment team to coordinate treatment and work on the same goals. However, some schools and health-providers may restrict school access to ABA providers.

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Center-based ABA therapy

ABA therapy in a center environment offers children affected by ASD several advantages. Center-based services provide children a predictable, structured, and comfortable learning environment designed to minimize distractions so the learner can focus on skill development. Receiving ABA therapy services at a center also allows a child to observe, interact, and play with peers under the supervision of trained behavioral professionals.

Just like with in-home services, each child at the center is assigned a behavior technician who works with them one-on-one each day to establish a positive relationship that assists the child in achieving identified goals. These technicians maximize learning opportunities for each child by creating social situations that allow them to practice the social skills that are most challenging for them individually.

Center services can also be beneficial in preparing a child for school, community, or social settings. It can also support learning during times when school is not occurring (e.g. summer break). Quality center-based services incorporate important parent training to support the transfer of skills to the child’s natural setting.

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ABA treatment across the age span

The diagnosing rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have increased 178% since 2000 and children are being diagnosed at younger ages. The research indicates the earlier a child starts to receive ABA treatment the better the outcomes. For these reasons, all states now have insurance mandates in place, and most states approve ABA treatment for children diagnosed with ASD between ages 1 and 3 years. However, the success of ABA treatment is not exclusive to young children. Children, adolescents, and adults also show significant gains that are attributed to ABA treatment. These ABA treatment services may occur in homes, schools, or clinics.

The focus of ABA treatment for young children (ages 1 to 8) tends to involve the development of essential skills needed to participate in the community within a comprehensive treatment model to include functional communication, social skills, following directions, waiting, and adaptive behavior. Adolescents also need essential skill development, but often a focused treatment model is utilized to concentrate on replacing challenging behavior with socially acceptable behavior as well as adaptive living skills and social skills.

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ABA therapy service models

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