Parents, is your child doing ABA therapy for 40 hours a week? Do you see more behaviours or frustration in your child? Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should receive ABA therapy plans that are tailored to meet their unique strengths, interests, and requirements based on a comprehensive assessment. As children are unique, children with ASD have unique needs as well, and not all children need an intensive 100 or more hours a month worth of therapy. A customized approach involves several structured steps, making the treatment unique to the individual and does not encompass a one-size-fits-all approach. It is important to take into consideration how a client-centered approach can help determine better outcomes for your child and family as a whole. In Durham Region, certain rural areas access to services is limited to remote services, so ensuring client-centred care is important to help achieve success in both rural and suburban areas.
One of the most powerful advantages of a customized ABA skill-building plan is flexibility. Autism is a spectrum, and children’s needs can shift over time due to developmental changes, life transitions, or environmental factors. A rigid therapy structure may not accommodate these shifts effectively. That’s why flexible, individualized planning is key.
What a customized plan looks like
A customized plan for ABA therapy could be assessed by a BCBA, and then working together with the parent to identify goals that your child needs is important. ABA academy, when creating a customized plan, looks at areas such as communication, social skills, daily living, and behavior management. The goals are then set collaboratively with families to ensure relevance and practicality.
According to ONTABA, Brittany, a mother from Oshawa, worked with her ABA center on a personalized plan for communication, social skills, and behviours. The first goal was reducing or eliminating headbanging. According to Brittany, in 3 weeks with these ABA interventions and a customized plan, her son Kendrick’s headbanging stopped. In his toddler years, Kendrick worked on dealing with sensory issues. He used to have no sense of danger, but he now understands the importance of being safe on the playground and around cars. ABA also helped him to get toilet training figured out. He talks in complete sentences now and can carry on conversations. 3 years later, he is still receiving ABA therapy but less frequently, as required for the goals his family has prioritized. He was still working on speech, writing, and functional daily living skills, but progress is being made.
The benefits of a customized skill-building plan for ABA therapy include :
- Faster Progress – There is faster progress for children with customized plans due to more engaging and targeted skills being given.
- Higher Motivation & Engagement – As therapy is centered around skills that are relevant to the child and family, it makes learning more enjoyable for the child and is more specific and targeted to the needs of the child. This can help develop faster progress as the needs of the child are recognized, and assessing how to help those needs is especially crucial in developing faster progress.
- More outcomes that are measurable- There are more measurable outcomes for a customized skill-building plan, as when the plan is customized to the child’s goals, the goals can be more measured and adjusted to the child’s progress. For example, in Britanny’s story, the headbanging was eliminated in 3 weeks, which allowed for more skill acquisitions.
- Family and Parental involvement – With parental or caregiver involvement, this allows for less family stress as skills underdeveloped at home can be targeted through communication and skill-building interventions
- Updated reflections and observations to customize and adapt plans: As a BCBA, therapist, and family observe and determine skill-building activities that are mastered or need to be restructured, these custom plans can be adapted to the child and family goals.
How BCBAs develop and adjust these plans
BCBAs develop and adjust these plans through data analysis and understanding the different skill acquisitions developed during ABA therapy. Data-driven methods are helpful to understand and develop clearer goals for your child and help come up with a more customized plan once skills are developed and mastered. Continually working with the family, observing behaviours, and understanding the needs of the child helps to develop and master more skills and create a more client-centred approach in adjusting these plans.
BCBAs also consider environmental factors, sensory needs, and emotional responses when analyzing data, making their adjustments more holistic and effective. Flexibility and data allow for a more compassionate approach to setbacks or plateaus. If a strategy isn’t working, BCBAs can analyze the data and adjust the plan without losing momentum or motivation for the child. Regular review meetings with parents also allow for meaningful input, ensuring the therapy stays aligned with the family’s goals and routines. This collaborative and client-centred approach keeps the focus on long-term success rather than short-term expectations, ensuring the child not only progresses in therapy but also gains skills that truly support their independence and quality of life in everyday settings.
ABA Academy uses a collaborative model with parents and therapists so parents and caregivers become active partners in the therapy process. At ABA Academy, the team will work closely with you to monitor your child’s progress, address any concerns, and adjust strategies as needed. They also provide ongoing support through regular check-ins, group workshops, and resources to ensure you feel confident in working with your child and developing different skill-building and mastery for your child to succeed in their ABA therapy goals. Having a collaborative approach can instill confidence and empower parents and caregivers in defining the child’s future.
For families in Durham Region, where access to services may be affected by geography, having a flexible and responsive ABA provider can make a world of difference. Whether you’re navigating inconsistent school supports, commuting limitations, or financial barriers, a provider like ABA Academy that adapts the plan based on your child’s progress and your family’s circumstances can reduce stress and improve outcomes.
Conclusion and
When it comes to ABA therapy, especially for children in the Durham Region, a customized skill-building plan is a necessity, not just a preference. Each child with autism has a unique profile of strengths, challenges, and goals. With a personalized approach, it not only ensures that therapy is relevant and meaningful but also leads to faster, more measurable progress for your child to obtain various skills. As shown in Brittany and Kendrick’s story, individualized plans that evolve with the child can make a significant difference in real-life outcomes, especially in Durham Region. Having an ABA provider who understands the importance of a customized plan tailored to your child’s needs is necessary for the successful outcome of your child.
At ABA Academy, the collaborative process between BCBAs, families, and therapists ensures that each child receives the support they need and when and how they need it. Whether you’re in an urban centre or a more remote area of Durham Region, prioritizing client-centered, customized ABA services gives your child the best chance to thrive both now and in the future.
Due to accessibility and familial stress, you may need someone to help with feelings of hopelessness and mental anguish. In Durham Region, The Insight Clinic has many therapists who can help you through both in-person and virtual services. At The Insight Clinic, we can help you manage hopelessness, depression, anxiety, and financial burdens, as well as provide resources for Autism & ABA therapy. If you are a parent struggling with managing the behaviours of a child with autism, are anxious, or are struggling with finding options, The Insight Clinic can provide you with a therapist to cope with the anxieties and struggles in a client-centred way.
You can reach out today to book an appointment with our skilled and trained therapists to help you gain understanding and develop healthier coping strategies when you are feeling anxious or developing these maladaptive thought patterns. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation.
In collaboration with The Insight Clinic, ABA Academy leads with a focus on excellence and focuses on providing individual and collaborative ABA Interventions for your child’s growth in social, cognitive, emotional, and physical developmental growth and milestones. ABA Academy provides high-quality, individualized, and effective services to help your child grow and learn from a fully licensed and qualified BCBA. As a custom and tailored intervention plan is an important part of success for your child’s treatment, ABA Academy can provide custom skill-building plans for your child with guidance from our talented BCBA’s. Reach out for a free consultation today to see if ABA Academy is the right fit for your child’s ABA services. It’s not about fitting your child into a program; it’s about building a program that fits your child.
FAQ section:
FAQ # 1. Why is a customized ABA plan better than a standardized one?
Customized ABA plans are tailored to each child’s unique strengths, challenges, and developmental needs. Unlike one-size-fits-all programs, personalized plans lead to faster progress and more meaningful outcomes by focusing on goals that are relevant to the child and their family.
FAQ# 2. How is a customized ABA plan created?
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) assesses the child through observation and collaboration with the family. Together, they develop goals in areas such as communication, social skills, daily living, and behavior management. These goals are regularly monitored and adjusted based on the child’s progress.
FAQ # 3. What kind of progress can be expected with a personalized ABA approach?
While progress varies, children often achieve key milestones more quickly when therapy is tailored to their needs. For example, in one case shared in the blog, a child’s self-injurious behavior was eliminated within three weeks thanks to a customized plan. Long-term, children can gain independence in communication, safety awareness, and daily routines.
FAQ# 4. Is ABA therapy accessible in rural areas of Durham Region?
Access can be limited in rural parts of Durham Region, but services like ABA Academy and The Insight Clinic offer remote and in-person options to help bridge this gap. A client-centered approach is especially valuable in these settings, ensuring families receive support that fits their location and circumstances.
FAQ # 5. How can ABA Academy support parents during the ABA journey?
ABA academy collaborated with you, the school, and the community throughout your child’s ABA Journey. ABA Academy’s Goal is to empower and instill confidence for your child’s future. ABA Academy provides support to families both in the home and in the community. ABA Academy is flexible and tailored to you and your family’s needs.
