While the quality of the learning plan for your child with autism is vital, knowing how to encourage and maintain that positive growth outside of the clinical setting is equally essential. Functional growth is a long-term process that’s greatly enriched by a stable home environment. Unless ideas learned in behavioral therapy become a part of daily life, progress can slow or diminish. Fortunately, supporting your child with autism becomes a natural way of life by incorporating homelife habits that continuously build upon learned skills and behaviors!
By understanding a few key ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) strategies and why they work, you’ll see how easy it is to apply these ideas at home. This extension of clinic lessons has lasting benefits like calmer behavior and functional growth that extends into every facet of life. In practicing ABA strategies at home, you have nothing to lose, and your child has everything to gain!
Positively Reinforce Appropriate Behaviors
A fundamental element of all of our treatments, including ABA services in Lehigh Valley, PA, revolves around positive reinforcement. This concept doesn’t just apply to children with autism either; everyone is more likely to repeat a behavior when they are rewarded or positively acknowledged. It is as simple as it sounds and is one of the most effective ABA strategies to consider at home.
For example, if you would like to teach your child with autism to pick up the toys in their bedroom, a reward system and encouraging words can be highly effective. Perhaps they love to color or have a favorite show they like to watch. Rather than punishing your child when they forget to pick up their toys, show them how to do it and reward them with their crayons or favorite show after they clean up the mess.
Use Helpful Prompts
A colorful schedule, routine cues, and helpful tools like activity timers or reminder signs can help to guide your child. For instance, support your child’s time-management skills by setting a 30-minute timer for activities like TV time. When the timer beeps, encourage them to look at their schedule and praise them for following through with the next activity. Clear prompts reinforce positive behaviors like self-control, while simultaneously helping them understand the importance of following a schedule and the rules at home.
Lead by Example
Also known as modeling, supporting your child is as simple as showing them how to do things correctly. This includes everything from the words you use, to the way you brush your teeth before bed each night. When you make a habit of using pleasant words and taking calm action even amid stressful situations, your children are more likely to do the same.
Learn From Our Experienced ABA Providers
If you would like to discover other meaningful strategies to establish a more uplifting atmosphere at home, our autism services in West Chester, PA, and throughout the northeast provide comprehensive support for every parent hoping to incorporate the best of ABA at home!
