When looking for an ABA therapist for your child, you may be wondering what questions to ask.
If you are a parent of a child with autism, you know how challenging it can be to find the proper care for your child. When looking for an ABA therapist for your child, you may be wondering what questions to ask to make sure the therapist is a good fit for you and your family. It is important to make sure that your ABA therapist is qualified and experienced in their field. Here are some valuable questions to ask your ABA therapist.
How many hours of therapy will my child receive?
The number of therapy hours per week depends on your child’s needs. Research has shown that intensive therapy at a rate of 20-40 hours per week provides the most substantial results. Some therapy sessions can be held in school to build a comprehensive program. But be sure there is a plan for your ABA therapist to cooperate with school staff to ensure your child’s needs are continuously being met within different environments. As your child gets older and learns more skills, the intensity of the therapy will decrease respectively.
How can ABA therapy prepare my child for school?
Make sure you address school preparation with any therapists or organizations you speak to. Consider how they can help prepare your child for the school environment. It is good to keep in mind that every child’s needs are different, and they may begin ABA therapy at various ages. However, it is important to get a picture of how ABA therapy will help prepare your child to transition to the classroom and school environment.
How will you work on skills with my child?
The approach used to teach a child skills during ABA therapy is completely individualized as everyone learns differently. So, any answer to this question should be personalized to your child’s specific needs. Your child’s ABA therapist should create a plan to help your child generalize their skills to perform them in any environment.
How will I be involved in my child’s treatment?
It has been proven that children whose parents and family are involved in treatment often see greater positive outcomes from ABA therapy than when family is not involved. A professional ABA provider typically will require that you participate at least once a month. Although this requirement might feel overwhelming initially, it is crucial for your child’s success.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (301) 577-4333. Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.