ABA: Applied Behaviour Analysis

ABA is an intensive behavioural intervention for children with a developmental delay such as Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome or PDD  (Pervasive Developmental Disorder).  ABA is a behavioural approach to analysing and then teaching children. Skills are broken down into parts and taught to the child in steps. The steps are practiced until the child acquires the whole skill.

At Learn To Shine we implement Pivotal Response Treatment model. This is a child centred approach to teaching. This model is different to discrete trial teaching which is predominately adult direct teaching. PRT is based on motivational teaching. Please read the attached information to understand how ABA has evolved and why Learn To Shine implements this model of ABA. Koegel books resource 

A Psychologist or Behaviour Consultant (BCBA) will assess the child’s strengths and weaknesses across all areas of development (self help skills/ language/ play skills/ imitation/ motor skills/ perception).

Parents are trained to implement the programs at home. The Psychologist or BCBA will supervise the program and meet with the family on a regular basis (fortnightly/monthly).

Parents are recommended to hire therapists to work in their home with their child. Research suggests that more hours the child receives the more they will learn. We recommend the child receives at least 10 hours a week of therapy.

Parents can access funding through Medicare (Enhanced Primary Care Initiative, Mental Health Care Initiative and Helping Child with Autism Initiative). NDIS funding can be accessed for children under 7 years, who have a diagnosis of Autism.

• Call or email ‘Learn To Shine: Psychology for Children’
• Parents to source information on ABA (internet/ books/ articles/ contact ABIA)
• Parents complete ‘Client Information’ form and send to ‘Learn To Shine’
• Parents provide NDIS application
• Parents provide referral letters from G.P and Paediatricians to obtain Medicare rebates
• Parents provide psychological reports: outlining functional assessment and diagnosis
• Parents to decide:
  • Who: will be implementing therapy
  • When: the therapy will be conducted across the week
  • Where: will the therapy be implemented
• Parents to source instructors if parents need support to implement therapy
• Parents can hire trained instructors from LTS to work at the clinic with their child

• Initial consultation with Psychologist, parents and child:  Psychologist will observe child, conduct assessment to assess developmental strengths and weaknesses, and discuss learning goals with parents (1.5 to 2 hours)
• Psychologist will develop individualised programs targeting all areas of childhood development.
• Theory session: Meeting with Psychologist, parents, caregivers and therapists: Psychologist will train parents about ABA principles, learning theory and data collection (2 hours)
• Third consultation: Meeting with Psychologist, parents, caregivers, therapists and the child. Practical training with the child and demonstration of programs (2 hours)

• Future meetings: Fortnightly or monthly meetings with Psychologist, parents, child and instructors to review programs (2 hours).

View our ABA therapy based treatment documentation : ABA Therapy based on Pivotal Response Treatment