ABA is effective with a wide spectrum of behaviors and ability levels. ABA can benefit individuals with learning differences and those who are diagnosed with a variety of neuordivergences. This can include autism, ADD/ADHD, PDD-NOS, traumatic brain injury, and developmental disabilities.

School or Childcare:

• Following schedule/routines and transitions

• Appropriate engagement

• Staying on task

Home:

• Completion of routines (morning/night)

• Activities of daily living (dressing/grooming)

• Household tasks/chores

• Reduce tantrums/behaviors, increased cooperation

Clinic/Center:

• Receptive/Expressive language skills

• Social skills

• Activities of daily living

• Listening/following directions

• Sharing/taking turns

• Token economies/charts/waiting/work completion

Verbal Behavior (VB):

• Echoics - repeats what you say

• Mands - commands or demands

• Tacts - labeling items

• Intraverbals - a verbal exchange

Natural Environment Training (NET):

• Focused on natural occurrences

Pivotal Response Training (PRT):

• Uses NET, focusing on increased motivation adding options and reinforcing attempts

Discrete Trial Training (DTT):

• Teaches skills by breaking into simplified parts, short/frequent trials, one on one teaching

Self-Management Training (SMT):

• Increase independence and generalization of skills

Please note: ABA is not a single protocol or technique but rather is an approach or set of techniques tailored to individual’s strengths and challenges.

• Call and speak with ABA providers about your hopes and concerns and how ABA Therapy can support your child.

• Research and learn more about ABA Therapy. Child Mind Institute has a couple articles that provides more information about ABA Therapy. You can find these here and here

• Explore how ABA can be incorporated into your child’s current school/childcare

• Explore how ABA can fit into your schedule

• Talk to others parents about their experiences with ABA Therapy. Parent to Parent is a program in Whatcom County where you can connect with other parents.

• There are several providers in Whatcom County that offer ABA Therapy. You can learn more about the providers here

• To access ABA therapy, you can contact the providers on the list above for next steps. You can also complete Whatcom County’s Unified ABA intake packet and fax to any of the ABA providers on the list.

• Unified ABA intake packet