What does early intervention ABA look like at The Learning for Life Autism Centre?
Our aim is to help children learn. Through collaboration with the family we establish a set of learning goals that are both meaningful and functional for the child. We focus on the child’s interests and preferences and establish a learning environment that is best suited to the specific learning needs of the child and that is functional for the family.
Our ABA therapy program involves a home and community-based program of intensive early intervention, which incorporates large amounts of play, tailored specifically to each child's individual needs.
As part of an overarching program designed by an experienced clinical consultant, a typical ABA therapy session involves a trained therapy assistant teaching a child specific skills such as vocabulary, self-help skills, sounds and words, or simply learning to play. The skill or task is broken down into its most simple form and taught in a way appropriate for that child. Each one of the sessions is documented and results recorded so that problem areas may be accurately identified and targeted. ABA relies on success and positive reinforcement and every achievement is rewarded with enthusiastic encouragement.
Learning for Life Autism Centre (L4Life) recognises that as with each child, each family is unique and brings their own skill set to the team approach. The Learning for Life model involves fortnightly meetings with the families and therapy assistants, in which the parents, or carers, are heavily involved in the child’s program direction. Learning for Life also aims to include various family members in sessions to ensure opportunities for generalisation across therapy assistants, parents and siblings, where relevant. Learning for Life engages with families from different cultural backgrounds and adapts programs to incorporate related needs. Examples include teaching labels in different languages, teaching and rehearsing social expectations during religious ceremonies and reordering verbal imitation programs to initially introduce sounds that are predominant in the child’s first language.
Evaluation and review of learning goals
- Systematic observation and data collection.
- Data is continually reviewed in partnership with the family, building their skills and understanding.
- L4Life is committed to delivering early intervention ABA programs one-on-one to a child at an intensity that is most beneficial to achieving their individual goals.
- At L4Life, therapists deliver a child’s ABA program in collaboration with the family. Additionally, L4Life trains parents in ABA-based strategies, enabling them to continue their child’s program in their therapists’ absence, help their child generalise skills into the broader world, and interact effectively and positively with their child beyond their ABA program’s end.
How does EIBI work for children?
ABA addresses the functional relationship between a child’s behaviour and their environment, which includes their home, others’ homes, preschool, school or wider community. In collaboration with family and educators, and other professionals, trained therapists assess these relationships and then systematically apply strategies and interventions based on the principles of learning theory.
The aim is to improve the child’s socially significant behaviours to a degree that is uniquely meaningful to them. These observable behaviours are associated with the child’s communication, academic, social and adaptive living skills. The combination of these skills makes each program as individual as the child for whom it is designed and empowers them to make choices for themselves.
Speak to our team about your needs
Enquire now to learn more about our our EIBI services, please call us at (03) 9853 4607 or email us at enquiries@learningforlife.com.au.
