Jack's newest therapy

Yesterday, Jack had his first session with his new in home ABA therapist Jessi. ABA therapy is short for Applied Behavior Analysis.  Below is a brief description about what ABA is and I also included a link for anyone who is interested in reading more.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.

As mentioned, behavior analysts began working with young children with autism and related disorders in the 1960s. Early techniques often involved adults directing most of the instruction. Some allowed the child to take the lead. Since that time, a wide variety of ABA techniques have been developed for building useful skills in learners with autism – from toddlers through adulthood.

These techniques can be used in structured situations such as a classroom lesson as well as in "everyday" situations such as family dinnertime or the neighborhood playground. Some ABA therapy sessions involve one-on-one interaction between the behavior analyst and the participant. Group instruction can likewise prove useful.
ABA Therapy

Jack's first session was a "get to know you session" both for her and him.  She spent her time yesterday observing and playing with Jack working on getting him to engage with her in play, encouraging verbal imitation and eye contact.  She is going to use the assessments and skills he has been working on in school to design a program for him that will focus on increasing his verbal manding.  Most of Jack's undesirable behaviors come from his inability to communicate what he is feeling and what he wants.  We are going to have her come three days a week.  This summer the sessions will be taking place in the early afternoon, but once school is back in session the session will get pushed back and take place after Jack gets home from school.  I will keep everyone posted on how his sessions are going. 

Jack has two weeks off from ESY so I am going to take the kids to see my parents in Springfield, we will be leaving to head down there Thursday morning.  We are going to stay with them for a week.  I am looking forward to the kids having a fun filled week with their grandparents which will include a lot of swimming, but am a little nervous about the drive down.  Hopefully both kids will do well and it will be an easy trip....I hope :-)

Hope everyone has a great Independence Day tomorrow and I am sure I will have some fun pictures to share when we get back from Springfield.

Below are two videos Justin took of Jack playing in the backyard and wearing his new Cardinal hat: