What I've Learned From Using ABA | Special Education Decoded

In this episode, we focus on ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis - This is a strategy used to eliminate unwanted behaviors in children!
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In our house, four things get a meltdown set into motion…
1. Picking Up Toys
2. Brushing Teeth
3. Leaving The House
4. Anything Our Son Doesn’t Want To Do
I’ve found myself at whits end, procrastinating on anything that could cause a meltdown. From picking up the toy tornado myself to the convincing voice in my head that tells me it’s okay if our son doesn’t brush his teeth THIS TIME.
It wasn’t long before our son seemed to take over the household.
After all, he knew EXACTLY what he needed to do to get his way.
Hitting, screaming, peeing in his bed… he learned our limits and tested them daily, always pushing for more…
Over the past few years, I’d heard this type of scenario played out in homes across the country.
After every phone call, after every meeting… I would tell myself, no way that could happen to me.
Fast forward a few years… sure enough, it happened to me.
Luckily, we met with some amazing folks who specialize in something called “ABA” or Applied Behavior Analysis.
How does ABA Therapy work?
What type of strategies can we normal parents use to gain control back again? FBA?
That’s exactly what we will discuss…
ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis is a scientific approach to understanding behavior.
● ABA Refers To A Set Of Principles That Focus On;
○ How Behaviors Change
○ How Behaviors Are Affected By The Environment
○ How Learning Takes Place
● The goal of ABA Is To Establish And Enhance Socially Important Behaviors
● To Understand In More Detail Exactly WHAT ABA Is - • ABA Applied Behavior A...
Helpful ABA Tip #1 - Do Not Give In
● By Giving In To Your Child’s Temper tantrums, They Incorrectly Learn
○ How To Manipulate The Situation
○ What To Do If They Want Something
○ How To Control The Situation
○ How To Effectively Take Over The Household
Helpful ABA Tip #2 - Follow Through
● Whatever You Have Set As A Rule Or Consequence
● Do NOT Back Down
● Examples Include;
○ Cleaning up toys
○ Following The Schedule
○ Consequences
Helpful ABA Tip #3 - Hand-Over-Hand
● When Your Child Is Refusing To Complete A Task
● After You’ve Tried Coaching Them Through It
● Gently Take Their Hand And Guide Them Through The Task
● Example;
○ Cleaning Up Toys
○ Take Their Hand, Grasp One Toy At A Time And Put It Away
○ Eventually, They Will Take Over And Finish The Job
● It’s Teaching Your Child That They Will NOT Get Away From Doing Things You’ve Asked
● Use This Strategy Through The Meltdown
Helpful ABA Tip #4 - Schedule
● Create A Schedule For Your Child To Follow
● Could Be Written, Or Visual
● Include EVERYTHING They Need To Accomplish In A Given Time
● Pro-Tip - Discuss Each Item Of The Schedule As You Make It.
○ We Make A New One Each Time And Discuss It All With Our Son
○ Allow Your Child To Cross Out Each Item
○ STICK TO THE SCHEDULE
Helpful ABA Tip #5 - Rewards
● Positive Behavior Is Easier For Kids When There’s A Reward Involved
● Reward Ideas;
○ A Poker Chip/Plastic Coin They Receive After Completing A Schedule
■ When They Have A Certain Number Of Coins, They Can Access The Treasure Chest And Pick Out A Prize
○ Sticker Chart - Sticker Is Applied When Something Is Completed Or Done As You Asked. Working Toward A Toy, Candy, Etc.
○ Special Outings - Ice Cream, Family Dinner At Favorite Restaurant, Park, Etc.
● Ensure Proper Behavior Before Reward Is Earned
Helpful ABA Tip #6 - Be Consistent
● With EVERYTHING You Do, Ensure That YOU Are Establishing A Routine
● Some Of These Tips Are More Difficult At First
○ Behaviors Increase
○ Emotional Drain Increases
○ Exhaustion Increases
● Children Begin Learning They CANNOT Get Away With Everything Anymore
Bottom line here is that with anything new, there’s a period of time where everyone is adapting to the change. Children who are used to getting away with a lot of things will NOT like the changes you’re implementing and will do what they can to get things back to the way they were.
I can tell you from personal experience… these tips not only helped our son and us… but also our daughter, who’d spent a long time being frustrated that her little brother was getting away with seemingly everything. I would give her certain rewards and take her out for ice cream because she has been absolutely amazing… but at the end of the day, all she wanted was for her brother to actually be forced to do the things he didn’t want to do.
Since starting this process, even SHE has become a lot more positive, happy, and confident in our overall family dynamic!
You are not alone, the struggles we face are shared by millions of other parents…
YOU GOT THIS!
Thank you!

[@FromJessToYou]

I love how you took this through a step-by-step ... very nice!

[@Specialedresource777]

Thank you! I really try to break these videos down so anyone can understand them :)

[@chanabayla1823]

As an ABA Therapist myself thank u

[@melissamoats580]

Can you do a video on IEP with a BIP plan in place? The school keep’s suspending my son for behavior due to his Asperger’s condition instead of going by the BIP plan. Thank you so much for these videos!!!

[@sonalisingh9000]

Hi I loved your video's and how you explained I am a special educator from india.

[@vissyabraham6524]

Awesome!

[@Specialedresource777]

Yes, these tips have transformed our son!

[@janniebug1823]

I love your videos. I would suggest you remove the sound as bullet points are revealed as it is very annoying.

[@Specialedresource777]

Janice, I appreciate your feedback :)

[@corynneful]

Omg that is NOT what hand over hand is for....

[@CharitysClarity]

Umm 🤔 it is a way to teach I have never heard of it any other way. What way have you heard of hand over hand ? I have been working within the field for only 2 years, I do have a non verbal severe autistic child 24/7 as well though, so I’m around it all the time, an meet many other ABA therapists, specialists, an parents.Hand over hand is taking the child’s hand and putting them where you need to guide them to put shoes on, or pull down shirt, holding a crayon to color etc.