As a caregiver of a child with autism, you want to do everything you can to support your child’s development and well-being. One of the most important things you can do is to be actively involved in your child’s ABA therapy. ABA therapy is most effective when caregivers are involved in the process, as it helps to reinforce skills learned in therapy and promotes generalization of those skills to the home environment. 

Research has consistently shown that parental involvement in ABA therapy is associated with better outcomes for children with autism. In one study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders in 2015, researchers found that caregiver involvement in ABA therapy was associated with greater gains in communication, adaptive behavior, and cognitive skills in children with autism (Ingersoll & Berger, 2015). Another study published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis in 2007 found that caregiver involvement in ABA therapy was associated with greater social skill gains in children with autism (Trembath, Balandin, & Togher, 2007). 

So, what does caregiver involvement in ABA therapy look like? It can involve attending therapy sessions with your child, observing therapy sessions, working with your child’s ABA therapist to develop goals and strategies for therapy, and practicing skills learned in therapy at home. It’s important to communicate regularly with your child’s ABA therapist and to ask questions if there is anything you don’t understand. 

By being involved in your child’s ABA therapy, you can also learn strategies to better support your child’s development and behavior at home. For example, if your child is working on communication skills in therapy, you can reinforce those skills by using them at home and by providing positive feedback when your child uses them successfully. 

Overall, caregiver involvement in ABA therapy is crucial for the success of the therapy and for your child’s development. As a caregiver, you are your child’s biggest advocate and supporter, and your involvement in ABA therapy can make a significant difference in your child’s progress and well-being. 

At ABA Connect, we recognize the importance of caregiver involvement in each child’s program. We work alongside your family to ensure that you feel that your desires are reflected in your child’s treatment plan. We also incorporate caregivers into sessions and specific caregiver training with the BCBA so that you are able to support your child’s development outside of the therapy session. For more information, please contact us at 833-225-9393 or email us at info@abaconnect.com

References: 

Ingersoll, B., & Berger, N. I. (2015). Parent engagement with a telehealth-based parent-mediated intervention program for children with autism spectrum disorders: Predictors of program use and parent outcomes. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 3877-3886. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2523-0 

Trembath, D., Balandin, S., & Togher, L. (2007). The importance of parent–therapist collaboration in a play-based intervention program for children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40(3), 475-479. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2007.475-479