Kids are precious gifts from the heaven above. Don’t you think? Each kid comes with unique quirks and specialities, and every parent loves their child so much. Parents are the lucky ones as they see their children’s tremendous growth from an infant to adulthood. It is the duty of the parents to love their kids unconditionally and wholeheartedly in any given situation. Some kids experience autism and start showing signs of autism fairly early. Parents might get heartbroken seeing their child suffer the ailment. But it is the right time to stay strong and learn a new parenting style to help your kids cope with the world better. Do not feel defeated or broken, as you are the guiding light for your kid and for your spouse. Continue reading to learn more about the fascinating ABA therapy technique.
Positive and Negative Reinforcement:
Positive Reinforcement and Negative Reinforcement are fundamental techniques used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, especially in the treatment of autism and other behavioral conditions. It is a very simple thing that every mother has been doing for ages.
- Positive reinforcement involves adding a rewarding stimulus to encourage the behavior you want to see from your child. For example, if a child completes a task, you might reward them with a piece of chocolate.
- Negative reinforcement, on the other hand, revolves around removing an aversive stimulus to promote a desired behavior. In simpler terms, you take away something the child finds unpleasant as soon as they exhibit the desired behavior.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET):
It is an ABA technique for autism that prioritizes teaching in a natural, unstructured setup. For example, if the goal is to teach a child to identify colors, a traditional approach might involve using flashcards. However, in NET, you might take a walk and point out the colors of flowers, cars, or playground equipment, encouraging the child to name the colors of the flowers. Not every parent is capable enough to be so patient with their kids. They might not even have the qualifications to do so. That is why parents often look for an institution that will teach their kids in a controlled environment. If you have an autistic child, you might want to check out Yellow Bus ABA. They are professionals, and they can help give your child a better future.
Generalization:
Generalization is a crucial concept within ABA strategies, focusing on the ability to apply learned skills in different settings or with different people. Promoting generalization can be achieved through various teaching methods and strategies.
- Teach and practice handwashing at home, at school, and in public restrooms to ensure the child can apply the skill universally.
- If a child learns to greet with “hi,” encourage them to use other appropriate greetings such as “hello,” “hey,” or waving in different situations.
- Once a child learns to make eye contact with you, please encourage them to do the same with other family members, friends, teachers, etc.
- Periodically revisit previously learned skills, like tying shoes, to ensure they are maintained.
- When a kid learns how to brush their teeth with a manual toothbrush, give an electric toothbrush as a successive modification.
- Engage in role-play exercises for different situations, such as asking for help at school. It helps the child practice and generalize skills in real-life scenarios.
