Is ABA Therapy a Good Choice for My Autistic Child?

Most days, I leave my sessions smiling to myself. I am thinking about a moment shared with a client, a breakthrough in learning, or a funny conversation. Don’t get me wrong, there are tough days as well. Supporting big emotions might be needed, or I may hear about a difficult time a client has been having at school. Those days are definitely harder. 

When a family asks me if ABA is a good choice for their child, I think about all of these moments. I think about the things they shared with me about their child and what they need. They have meltdowns, they can’t express themself, they have a hard time making friends. Then I think about all of the joy that is shared during our ABA Therapy sessions. I know I want to meet their child.  I know I want to help their child. I know I want to leave their child’s sessions smiling as well. 

ABA Therapy is a good choice for many children on the autism spectrum. However, it really needs to be the right team, the right program, and the right amount. It needs to be created just for your child and just for you. It can’t be prescriptive. It can’t be cookie-cutter. It can’t be over-prescribed. It needs to be flexible. It needs to be individualized. It needs to be fluid. It needs to be as little or as much as your child needs for it to make a meaningful difference. When it is all of those things, then ABA is a good choice for your child.