Children's Behavior Therapy Inc - Broward County

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy rooted in the science of learning and behavior. Using principles of ABA, children and adults can learn to improve their communication skills, social skills, and daily living skills while also addressing problematic or challenging behaviors. The primary goal of ABA therapy is to teach helpful skills that promote independence and reduce harmful behaviors. Here's our complete guide to everything you need to know about ABA therapy.

It's a big decision to make for your family! Applied behavior analysis (ABA) seeks to improve communication skills, introduce productive habits, and reduce harmful behaviors. Watch out for ABA providers who look to "cure" autism.

High quality ABA therapy does exist where the goal is not to “fix” children, make them appear “less autistic”, or change who they are. The goal is to help people learn all that they can so they can live to their potential while embracing their unique, individual personality traits. Here's our complete guide to start and end ABA therapy.

ABA is usually covered by insurance if you have an autism diagnosis. Autism is typically the only diagnosis insurance will authorize for ABA services since its benefits have been researched extensively.

Always check with your specific insurance plan to confirm that ABA is covered for your child’s diagnoses and that the provider you are seeking care at is in-network. Here's our complete guide to everything you need to know about ABA therapy.

“Early Intervention” might be the provider’s way of describing services that they provide to babies or young children. However, it might also indicate that the provider is a vendor for your state’s publicly funded program. This means the services with this provider might be covered by your state! 

The first step in accessing these free services from your state is to get an evaluation. The evaluation will help the state determine what services your child qualifies for, if any. You can find your state’s local EI program by clicking here.

When you contact your local center, say “I have concerns about my child’s development and I would like to have my child evaluated to find out if they are eligible for early intervention services.” They will ask screening questions and arrange for an evaluation, which is provided for free.

Here are a few alternative options to consider:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps by identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It's useful for those dealing with social anxiety or difficulties. CBT addresses cognitive patterns and provides strategies to manage social challenges.
• Group therapy: Group therapy offers a supportive space where individuals can practice social skills. They can feedback from peers and a therapist. It allows interaction with others who understand and learn from each other.
• Play-based interventions: Play therapy or play-based interventions work well for younger children or those who learn through experiences. Play activities target specific social skills like turn-taking and problem-solving in a safe and engaging setting.

Even if a provider offers parent training, it may look different from one provider to another. For example, an in-home provider might conduct a parent training session directly following a therapy session with your child to help explain what they’ve been working on with your child. At larger organizations, you might have a support group of families who are dealing with similar issues.

More research is needed to understand the link between sleep disturbance and autism, but there are a few possible reasons why autistic children have difficulty sleeping.2

• Co-occurring conditions. Coexisting medical conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or sleep apnea (when you stop breathing multiple times throughout the night), environmental allergies, and gastrointestinal upset (like constipation), can negatively impact sleep.
• Sensory sensitivities. Sensitivity to lights, sounds, and touch (think textures of blankets and clothing) can disrupt sleep.
• Medications. Often autistic children are prescribed medications to address various concerns like hyperactivity, anxiety, or aggression. Many of these medications may contribute to sleep problems. Adderall, Focalin, and Vyvanse are examples of stimulants prescribed to children on the spectrum to treat hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention, that can cause insomnia. Abilify and Risperdal (medications commonly prescribed for autistic children who have severe irritability, aggression, and/or self-injurious behaviors) may cause some children to become very sleepy.  However, each person responds differently to medications. (Pro tip: Keep channels of communication open with your doctor so that you can find the best medication to help your child that least affects sleep.)
• Neurobiological differences. Some research suggests autistic people may not produce the same levels of neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) or hormones (melatonin) important for sleep regulation, and may also experience disruption in circadian rhythms.3 In addition, low muscle tone can contribute to sleep-breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea, which also affects the quality of sleep and can lead to increased inattentive and hyperactive symptoms during the day. These behaviors, in turn, make it more challenging for the child to participate in therapies and activities. 

For more information, read our comprehensive sleep guide.