How Long Will ABA Therapy Last?

How long is ABA therapy going to last? Chances are that thought is running through your mind if you are a parent that has a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and you are considering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. The short answer is, “it depends”. It is important to note that the treatment plan for your child is individualized to best fit the needs of your family. ASD expresses itself differently in everyone and influences the course of treatment for each individual. Factors that play a role in how long therapy can last include current functioning across language, social skills, and intellectual abilities. Additionally, environment plays a huge role in progression. Ultimately it is important to remember that every single person whether they are neurotypical or not, learn in different ways and at different rates. While ABA therapy can seem daunting there are a number of things each family can do to support best outcomes: 

Get tested early 
Today, a diagnosis for autism can be obtained before a child is even a year old. Research supports that early intervention coupled with intensive treatment predict better long-term outcomes. Some benefits in early intervention include supporting school readiness, joint attention, and social skills. 

Get involved 
Parent involvement is a key component to success of therapy. Once of the goals in ABA therapy is to equip each family with the tools necessary to manage behaviors and to achieve success with learning new skills. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn concepts. 

Be consistent 
Prioritizing ABA is crucial in ensuring that the full treatment or dosage is being provided based on the recommendation of a trained professional. This recommendation is determined by standardized assessment measures. Prioritizing ABA ensure that deficits are worked on. 

Ask for help 
Your ABA team is here to work with YOU. Asking for help ensures that your clinical team is targeting items that are important to your family. 

Anusha Preston, M.A., BCBA 
Associate Clinical Director, Ventura 
Tuesday, December 22, 2020