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How Long Does it Take to See Results From ABA Therapy?
Happy Little Boy Giving High Five to Therapist

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ABA therapy, or applied behavior analysis, is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that focuses on understanding and improving the behavior of children with autism. It’s recognized as the gold standard for treating people with autism. It focuses on teaching new skills and reducing problem behaviors using various behavior analysis techniques, including positive reinforcement, discreet trial training, natural environment teaching, and shaping.

Yet, as a parent, you may wonder about ABA therapy results—how long it takes to see them and whether your child is making meaningful progress. These are common and valid concerns, particularly when committing resources and time to treatment. 

At Heartlinks, parents often ask these questions. While every child’s journey is unique, understanding the key indicators of success in ABA therapy will provide greater clarity about progress and how long your child will benefit from treatment.

Why Is Setting Realistic Goals for ABA Therapy Important?

Each child on the spectrum has unique needs and abilities; that’s why the objectives of their ABA therapy program should be individualized to address their challenges and strengths.

The goals established at the beginning of ABA therapy will affect the time it takes to see results. Naturally, smaller objectives may be achieved sooner, whereas more complex or long-term goals may require extended treatment.

Setting realistic goals in ABA therapy means creating specific, measurable, achievable objectives tailored to each child’s needs. Rather than aiming for more significant behavior changes, the focus should be on gradual improvements that build upon existing skills.

ABA Therapy Goals

When parents consider setting realistic ABA goals, it’s crucial to understand the different types that can be addressed. These objectives serve as a framework and ensure meaningful progress in their child’s development. The three goals of ABA therapy include communication, social skills, and behavioral goals. 

1. Communication Goals

Communication goals enhance a child’s ability to understand language, hear others’ words, and express themselves. This includes improving verbal and nonverbal communication. For instance, you might set a goal with your child’s ABA therapist to expand their vocabulary by 10 new words per month. Or maybe together, you’ve set the objective for your autistic child to be able to follow multi-step directions with 70% accuracy.

The ABA therapist must first evaluate your child’s current communication abilities and, based on that, develop tailored objectives targeting their specific language development needs. A speech therapist might be brought in in addition to the ABA therapist. The speech therapist might employ tacting, prompt hierarchy, and discriminative stimulus techniques. 

2. Behavioral Goals

Behavioral goals focus on modifying disruptive, harmful, or aggressive behaviors, such as tantrums, scratching, or hand flapping, while promoting positive ones. 

For example, with your child’s therapist, the goal might be to reduce instances of hitting or biting by 50% within the next three months. Or perhaps the goal is to improve your child’s compliance and ability to follow directions in the classroom by 80% in the next six months. The therapist will gradually work on improving and modifying your autistic child’s behavior using ABA techniques and tools such as modeling, errorless learning, and social stories.

3. Social Skills Goals

Social skills goals might include engaging in a conversation with a classmate at least once during a group activity or participating in a group game with peers that involves sharing and taking turns.

ABA therapy can significantly improve social skills by using targeted strategies, such as training on teaching appropriate behaviors in various social contexts. These goals can be addressed through role-playing, group activities, and other interactive methods, helping children practice and generalize skills such as initiating conversations, interpreting social cues, and learning to cooperate with peers. 

What Is The Success Rate of ABA Therapy?

According to research, ABA therapy has a success rate of over 89% in treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ABA therapy was most effective in improving intellectual abilities, communication skills, and undesirable behaviors.  

What Factors Affect ABA Therapy Results?

Various factors, including the following, can influence ABA therapy’s effectiveness. 

Early intervention

The earlier the ABA therapy is started, the more it’s associated with better outcomes. Early intervention allows for a tailored approach during crucial periods of a child’s development, thereby increasing the potential for positive results. This is particularly important given the common concern that the challenges brought about by autism can get worse as the person ages if they’re not addressed as early as possible.

Individualized Approach

One of the most attractive features of ABA therapy is that it can be tailored to each individual’s needs and learning styles. Personalizing the approach allows an ABA therapist to provide targeted interventions and promote progress based on the autistic child’s strengths and challenges.  

Consistency

Implementing ABA strategies uniformly across different settings, such as home, school, and the community, can improve outcomes. Broadly applying skills learned in therapy to real-life situations helps children use their newly developed or acquired skills in various contexts. 

Duration and Intensity

The intensity and duration of ABA therapy will vary depending on a child’s needs. Research suggests that the more prolonged and intensive the treatment, the better the outcomes. Yet, finding a happy medium and considering the child’s ability to engage in therapy effectively is crucial. Additionally, it’s essential to be mindful of autistic burnout, as pushing beyond a child’s capacity to engage can result in tremendous stress and may even hinder progress.

How Long Does ABA Treatment Last?

The length of an autistic child’s ABA therapy treatment depends on several factors, including the following: 

Diagnosis

The weaker a child’s skills are, the more intensive their ABA therapy will have to be. For instance, if a child exhibits severe sensory-seeking behaviors and has been diagnosed with low-functioning autism, they might require 40 or more hours of treatment each week for intense programs. 

In contrast, a child diagnosed with high-functioning autism who demonstrates occasional inappropriate emotional regulation may only need 10 hours of therapy a week.

As a rule of thumb, 30 hours is often considered the maximum number of treatment hours a week for kids younger than six. 

Skill Level

An infant or child learning completely foreign skills will need more time to learn than a child with prior experience with these essential tasks. An autistic child who already understands an activity or task will likely require less assistance and instruction.

Commitment of the Family and Available Resources

Regardless of the type of autism therapy your child uses, it requires a tremendous time and financial commitment from their entire family. Often, families are unaware of how much time and effort it takes to commit to their child’s success, including attending every appointment and participating in in-home ABA  therapy or parent training.

The ABA therapy results can also be affected if there’s part of a single-parent family. Results are often quicker when the child has an entire team of therapists and a strong support system at home.

Child’s Response to treatment

The level of success achieved in the initial stages of ABA therapy will determine whether or not the child will continue with therapy sessions. Autistic children who have slow response times may end up requiring additional therapy, which in turn would lead to a longer overall treatment process. Additionally, addressing co-existing conditions such as anxiety and depression is crucial, as these can have a tremendous impact on an autistic child’s ability to engage with ABA therapy and affect the duration of treatment. 

When to Stop ABA Therapy?

For a child on the spectrum, ABA therapy can be stopped when they’ve met their therapy goals or when it becomes clear they’re no longer benefiting from the treatment. Other indicators include the following:

  • You and the therapist are confident in your child’s level of functioning. They can be independent.
  • As a parent, you are confident in your ability to perform at-home activities without the guidance of a therapist.
  • Your weekly commitment to ABA therapy has become too intense, so you’ve decided to use different activities to help your child develop the necessary skills.

Let Heartlinks Help You and Your Child

It’s important to remember that ABA therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. At Heartlinks, our range of ABA services ensures your child’s unique needs are met. Just as an ABA therapist will review your child’s treatment goals at the start, they’ll also review what results must be seen before your child can complete therapy, providing a tailored approach.

With locations in New Jersey, Georgia, Indiana, and North Carolina, Heartlinks is here to support you and your child every step of the way. Contact us to begin your journey, and let’s create a personalized path toward growth and success today. 

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