Common Criticism of Intensive ABA Therapy
Research evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of intensive ABA therapy, as children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn effectively through one-on-one teaching and repetition using the teaching principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
Unfortunately, one of the most difficult transitions for children intensive ABA based interventions is the transition to a classroom learning environment where the environment differs drastically from the environment where they acquired their skills. Many children with ASD who have spent years receiving one-on-one teaching can become overwhelmed, prompt-dependent, easily distracted or lack generalization when challenged to use their skills in a complex school environment.
The Solution
To help bridge the gap between intensive one-on-one teaching and a classroom environment, children must adapt to learning with other children. Instead of learning one-on-one with an Instructor Therapist (IT), a number of children can learn together from one IT (small group). To see success in small group learning, children must possess simple prerequisite skills such as the ability to sit nicely, play appropriately with others and follow instructions consistently. Through repeated lessons while paired with other children sharing the attention of the instructor, with repetition, small group ABA can be a critical transitional step in helping a child gain the skills necessary to succeed in a school environment.
Targeted towards younger children and earlier learners, our Small-Group ABA program at Bloor & Dundas Learning Centre uses evidence-based strategies to teach skills such as:
Active participation during circle time
Attending to instructions in a group format
Joining and leaving activities appropriately
Independent transitions between activities or environments
Responding to and asking others' questions
Increasing tolerance to group interactions
Waiting in line
Sharing with others
...and much much more!
Targeted towards older, school-aged children who possess many of the skills necessary to succeed in a small group ABA program, our School Readiness program at Bedford Park Children's Academy takes group learning a step further by replicating a small classroom environment where the childen will learn pre-academic skills with their peers.
Through practice and support, children in our School-Readiness program will learn to:
Follow basic school routines
Sustain attention and concentration
Copy from a whiteboard/ chalk board during lessons
Answer questions presented to a group
Follow group instructions related to academic tasks
Complete academic tasks sitting with peers
Ask peers for assistance and assist peers
...and much much more!
Our Small Group ABA program and School-Readiness program schedules are dependent on current enrolment levels and the matching of student needs.
In you are interested in enroling your child in one of our group learning programs, please call or email for more information!
