Find Success in the New Year

Using ABA Therapy Strategies to Find Success in the New Year

The new year is the perfect time to set goals, make plans and try something different! If you have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2021 may be the perfect time to try ABA Behavioral Therapy.

While we know trying new things isn’t easy for children with ASD, Caity Russ, the board-certified behavior analyst supervisor at Mindful Steps, outlines a few key components to make 2021 a year full of successes.

Setting Goals:

A huge part of the reason ABA therapy is so affective is that it involves breaking skills down into very small steps. When it comes to setting new goals in 2021, it is important to make sure they are achievable and in line with what the child is already able to accomplish.

For example, if a child cannot sit still for two minutes, then they are not going to master potty training right away. First, you can help your child focus on sitting still for 5 seconds, then next week practice 10 seconds. Build on this exercise and then you will start to see progress and success.

For example, if a child cannot sit still for two minutes, then they are not going to master potty training right away. First, you can help your child focus on sitting still for 5 seconds, then next week practice 10 seconds. Build on this exercise and then you will start to see progress and success.

Consistency is a huge factor when it comes to reaching goals. While 2020 was a hard year to practice consistency, staying on a set schedule with specific tasks is important for children learning with ASD.

Utilizing ABA Tools in 2021!

You should set goals and learn about ABA strategies from a skilled professional, of course. These tools have proven successful in assisting children with achieving their goals. Visual schedules help children understand processes and what to expect throughout their day.

Token boards and other incentive-based systems are other great tools to incorporate in the new year. Sticker charts are also helpful! Anytime a child completes a task successfully, they are rewarded with a sticker. When they reach a certain number of stickers, then they get a reward. Any kind of tool that can be used to reward a child makes that skill more likely to grow.

Helping Parents in 2021:

Parenting a child with ASD can be difficult. In the new year, Mindful Steps can help parents to feel comfortable and confident with their parenting skills while creating an overall positive life. Mindful Steps encourages all clients to make sure they’re doing something throughout the day or once a week for themselves.

For some parents, the only time they get a break is when a therapist is in the home working with the child. Mindful Steps encourages finding other times to take a break if possible and suggests parents walk away from a situation if necessary, as long as safety isn’t in question. If a parent is agitated, the child can then become agitated too. It is okay to stop for a moment and try again later.

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