FAQ

Research suggests that starting ABA therapy as early as possible, preferably before the age of five, can lead to more significant improvements in the long term. This is because the brain is still developing during this critical period can have a greater impact on a child’s overall development. However, it is important to note that ABA can be beneficial for individuals of any age. Even if person with ASD is older, they can still benefit from ABA therapy to develop new skills, reduce problem behaviors, and improve their overall functioning.

Maximizing the child’s immersion in ABA treatment is crucial for achieving success. It is important to utilize as much time as possible throughout the day to provide intensive intervention and minimize the loss of valuable time. Young children not only tolerate but also thrive on the stimulating nature of this approach. Therefore, it is essential to seize every opportunity to teach appropriate skills and reduce the occurrence of harmful behaviors. The ALMA Behavioral Solutions staff have extensive expertise in working with children as young as 20 months, delivering treatment sessions that are suitable for their age, energetic, playful, and filled with activities that reinforce learning. At the same time, the child’s natural endurance is taken into consideration by ensuring that the intervention is creative, natural, and enjoyable, children become enthusiastic participants. The child’s fatigue and ability to engage are closely monitored, and the number of weekly interventions hours in adjusted accordingly.

We aim to reach the optimal outcome for your child. Based on research and our expertise, we have found that children who receive a higher number of hours of effective behavioral interventions tend to show greater improvement. Therefore, it is typical for many children under the care of ALMA Behavioral Solutions to initially receive 20 to 45 hours of services per week. As your child progresses and achieves master of skills, decreased interfering behaviors, improved school attendance, and increased social engagement, it may be suggested to reduce the amount of time spent with our staff.

We have determined that conducting interventions in our clinic office is consistently more effective than exclusively working in other locations. This approach offers several advantages: It allows for greater oversight by our senior staff, ensuring consistent treatment styles across all staff members. Children have opportunities for social interactions with their peers. Our staff can utilize available resources for double treatment, data collection, and program refinement. A wide range of toys, activities, and program materials are available in the clinic. Parents can participate in the interventions process without the distractions of being at home. In certain cases where it is mutually agreed upon and provides clinical benefits, some services may be provided in the home environment.

The involvement and ability of parents to implement Applied Behavior Analysis strategies are crucial for achieving the best long-term outcome for a child. That’s why we value our partnership with parents. When you receive services from ALMA Behavioral Solutions, our Program Coordinators will invite you to attend training workshops, seminars, and regular individual parent training sessions. To enhance your skills, you also can participate in some of the weekly ABA sessions with our staff and attend monthly clinic meetings with your child’s team. We understand that this requires significant investment of time and energy, but we believe it is vital for the success of your child’s program and the overall quality of life for both the child and the family. The involvement and expertise of parents greatly enhance the impact of the work our ALMA team does with each child.

Research suggests that the first two or three years of intervention are crucial for children’s significant progress. Although the initial learning curve may be challenging, many parents adopt a mindset that investing extra time and effort now will ultimately reduce stress and the need for intensive intervention in the future. To ensure their commitment to the process many of our parents have successfully established a strong support system. They enlist the help of family members and friends to babysit their other children, assist with commuting to our clinic, or occasionally cook dinner. While we acknowledge that his can be difficult, some families have found it beneficial for one parent to reduce their work hours. This allows them to maintain focus and preserve their sanity throughout the intervention journey.

Answering that question is challenging. Most of our families typically need our services for a period of 2-4 years. During that time, it is important to be fully committed and give your utmost effort. Some students may require our services for a longer duration, but with a modified level of support, such as school support or case consultation. If you decide to pursue an ABA program, be ready for a lengthy but highly fulfilling journey.