ABA Therapy
ABA therapies at Majestic Minds Mental health and autism services at Georgetown is an evidence-based practice covered under the Ontario autism program. The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), (Social Skills) Group therapy, Sensory integration therapy, Daily Living skills are some ABA therapies.
Autism services are designed to help individuals living with ASD thrive in their own personalized environments. All autism therapies and training use the strategies and tools from applied behavioural analysis (ABA) for the treatment of our clients.
What is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) Therapy is an evidence-based therapy used to develop and manage human learning and behaviour. ABA Therapy focuses on improving specific behaviours in mainly individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) such as social skills, communication, reading, and academics as well as adaptive learning skills, such as fine motor dexterity, hygiene, grooming, domestic capabilities, punctuality, and job competence.
Behavior Analysis is a realm of science, according to this science, there are a set of rules, or principles, that can be used to describe how these two things take place.
Some of the principles of behavior are:
- Behavior is a product of its environment.
- Behavior is altered (strengthened or weakened) by its consequences.
- Behavior responds better to positive consequences than negative consequences.
- Whether a behavior is punished or reinforced can only be determined by the course of that behavior in the future.
The process for ABA Therapy at our Georgetown clinic, generally involves a consultation first, where the clinical team meets with the parents and the child to discuss areas of concern. After the consultation a formal assessment needs to be conducted, followed by treatment and monitoring. First, an assessment is conducted to determine exactly what behaviors and skills need to be adapted and then goals are set to determine the desired outcome. The individual is taught new learning skills or given coping strategies for avoiding certain behaviors. Throughout treatment, progress is carefully monitored, recorded and reassessed on a needs basis.
ABA Therapy can take place in a variety of settings. This includes but is not limited to the child’s classroom, home, and therapy clinic. How much therapy is needed is determined by a supervising clinician. The amount of weekly required hours can vary from one child to the next depending on their situation. For individuals not on the spectrum, two hours per week can be deemed sufficient time. However, for children on the Autism spectrum, generally 25 hours per week is considered optimal for successful treatment.
The length of time required for ABA Therapy varies from one individual to the next. However, with time, many individuals do experience improvement from ABA services.
ABA Therapy (1:1)
ABA therapy (1:1) is designed to meet the needs of each individual learner. A comprehensive ABLLS assessment is done during the initial stages of therapy. This assessment is used to develop individualized programs that are designed to strengthening the areas of need. These areas can include gross motor skills, fine motor skills, self-help skills, academics, requesting, labeling, and more.
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a therapy offered for children on the spectrum between the ages of 12 and 24 months. This therapy uses the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis to encourage development in the areas of language, cognitive and social skills. The model utilizes games and playing to build positive and fun relationships that facilitate the healthy growth and development of the child.
Group therapy (1:3)
Group therapy (1:3) is aimed towards developing social skills, peer relations, turn-taking, requesting, classroom readiness skills and more using the tools and techniques of Applied behavioural analysis. Your learner will be placed into a small group with peers similar to their functioning. The instructor will mimic a classroom environment to contrive goals directly related to school readiness. This program is designed to prepare school-aged children for school and what can be expected in a school setting.
Sensory integration therapy
Sensory integration therapy is designed for children who are very sensitive to stimuli often have a hard time staying focused or calm in various settings. Sensory Integration therapy involves spending time getting to know the child and talking to caregivers in order to understand which stimuli and behaviour the child may be struggling with. Then we, the Occupational Therapists (O.T.), create a personalized approach that will both soothe and condition the child to be able to respond to these trouble stimuli in a more appropriate manner. This helps with various behaviours ranging from hugging too tightly to becoming overwhelmed when certain sounds are present. This therapy is specifically designed with various sensory inputs (Such as brushes, rollers, swings or other specially designed equipment) to encourage the child to develop their sensory processing and build functional life skills.
Parent Training/Coaching
Parent Training/Coaching is a service designed to help parents address any behavioural issues at the home. The therapist will come into the comfort of your home and work with you to help support your child. The therapist can work on behavioural management, academic training, requesting, labelling and more at the home. The therapist will train the parents on how to be an expert using the principles of ABA. This is a great service to utilize as parents are responsible for the long term care of their children. Being consistent in-home and learning the tools of ABA can help their child excel in many areas for long-lasting change to occur.
Daily Living Skills Training
These are the skills and habits necessary for independent and social development. Daily living skills add to the well-being of the learner and prepares them for greater responsibilities and independence in adulthood. Increases the child’s socialization, communication, boosts confidence.
Some simple activities learners perform at Majestic Minds Mental Health and Autism Services are washing hands, clean up the toys, put away books away after reading, help wash the dishes, tying shoe laces, watering the plants, feeding the pet. We encourage daily living skills and help the learners with a positive and safe environment to grow independent.
Packages
1:1 ABA
ABA therapy (1:1) is designed to meet the needs of each individual learner. A comprehensive ABLLS assessment is done during the initial stages of therapy. This assessment is used to develop individualized programs that are designed to strengthen the areas of need. These areas can include gross motor skills, fine motor skills, self-help skills, academics, requesting, labeling, and more.
1:3 group
This group is designed to be small enough to target individual needs while working on important social skills such as sharing, requesting from peers, playing interactive games, and more. This group will prepare your learner for school based needs such as following daily routines, raising their hands to answer questions, and waiting their turn.
1:5
This group was designed to help more advanced learners interact with their peers. This group targets social interactions and natural conversation skills. The group leader designs interactive programming targeted towards the learners unique interests that help stimulate engagement and discussions.
32 Hours
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This group is offered Saturdays only between 9:00-1:00 which is 8 days or 2 months of group