Selecting Programs for ABA Therapy

Many individuals ask how programs are selected for children in their ABA therapy sessions. Selecting ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) programs is a thoughtful, strategic process that shapes meaningful growth for each learner. Programs are never "one-size-fits-all"; each one is customized based on individual strengths, needs, and goals for true, life-changing results. In this blog, we’ll walk through how BCBAs (Board Certified Behaviour Analysts) and senior therapists assess each learner’s unique profile and use that information to select skill-building programs.

Step 1: Parent Intake and Running Assessments

Every ABA program selection begins with a parent intake and comprehensive assessment. Here’s how the intake and assessment process works:

- Parent and Caregiver Collaboration: We know that family insights are invaluable. Parents and caregivers share details on what skills they believe are important for their child to learn, such as academics, communication, social skills, or self-care tasks.

- Learner’s Interests and Motivations: We also consider the learner’s interests and strengths. For example, if a child is highly motivated by playing with peers, we might prioritize social skills to build meaningful relationships.

- BCBA Guidance: Using clinical knowledge and experience, BCBAs will suggest skills that parents may not initially see as important but that can have a significant impact.

-Assessment: The BCBA will choose an assessment tool that is beneficial for the child. The assessment is typically 3-6 hours in legnth. Once the assessment is complete, the BCBA identifies specific skill deficits—skills that the learner currently finds challenging or has not yet developed—and plans for programs that address these gaps.

Step 2: Selecting Skill Deficits

After the assessment, we have a clear picture of skill areas that need strengthening. Skill deficits can vary widely based on the learner’s age, needs, and goals. Examples of commonly selected areas include:

- Academic Skills: For example, recognizing and adding numbers or learning to read sight words. These skills build a foundation for school and lifelong learning.

- Communication Skills: This may involve teaching the learner to ask for help or express feelings, improving their ability to interact with others and meet their own needs.

- Social Skills: Programs might focus on starting a conversation or taking turns, all of which help build friendships and relationships that have a meaningful impact on one's life.

- Life Skills: Depending on age, this might include dressing independently, brushing teeth, or preparing a simple snack.

Every program is designed to address one or more of these skill deficits. Each skill is broken down into small, manageable steps, or targets, to make learning achievable and consistent. Every program is different to fit the needs of the client. In addition, all programs are selecting based on behaviour cusps - the ability to learn a new skill that opens doors for new untaught skills.

Step 3: Designing Programs with Progressive Targets and Mastery Criteria

Most ABA programs are more than a single skill; it’s a roadmap with gradual, progressive targets that build on each other. Here’s how programs are structured to encourage lasting mastery:

1. Initial Targets: We start with foundational skills that the learner can accomplish successfully, building confidence and motivation. For instance, if a program is teaching conversation skills, the first target might be learning to say “hello” when greeting adults or peers.

2. Increasing Complexity: As the learner masters initial targets, the program progresses to more challenging ones. In the same conversation program, the next target might involve responding to simple questions (like “What’s your name?”) and eventually advance to asking questions back.

3. Multiple Targets within a Program: A single program may contain several targets that vary in difficulty but lead to an ultimate skill mastery. For example, an “adding numbers” program might start with adding single digits and gradually move up to double-digit numbers, helping the learner grow and expand their skills steadily.

4. Mastery Criteria: For each target, we set mastery criteria. This ensures the learner fully understands and demonstrates the skill consistently before moving to the next target. Mastery criteria could be achieving an 80-90% accuracy rate across multiple sessions or correctly completing a skill independently for a set period. True mastery isn’t just doing it once; it means being able to do it repeatedly and independently across different situations.

The beauty of ABA programming is its potential to change lives in profound ways. From academic support to enhancing social interactions or fostering self-care independence, each program is carefully chosen to add value and meaning to the learner’s life. BCBAs work closely with families, educators, and caregivers to ensure every skill learned is practical, functional, and aimed at helping the learner thrive. Whether the target is counting, sharing, initiating friendships, or dressing independently, ABA programs empower learners to reach new heights and develop skills that have a lasting impact on their everyday lives.

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