Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

The Quirky Kid Clinic provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy as part of a family focused, well structured and evidence based early intervention service for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

These services are available in Sydney and Wollongong (Austinmer).

About our approach:

The ABA programs offered by the Quirky Kid Clinic utilise the child’s own skills and interests to help develop key areas of the child’s development.

ABA Therapy is offered in conjunction with other evidence-based therapies provided by our clinic as part of a well-rounded early intervention program.

Our ABA program can be run from our clinic, your home, or your child’s school or preschool. Contact Julie Co 9362 9297 for more information or email julie@quirkykid.com.au

About ABA:

The ABA approach is based on the theories of learning and behavioural psychology which have been around since the early 1900s. The key idea behind the ABA approach is that humans learn behaviour through interactions with their environment. The sequence of events before and after the behaviour is likely to influence whether that behaviour occurs again. ABA uses a basic ‘ABC’ formula:

A – is the antecedent; the event that precedes a behaviour

B – is the behaviour

C – is the consequence; the event that proceeds the behaviour

Where events act as a cues for behaviours and are reinforced by the events that follow. For example, if a parent gives their child chocolate (C) who tantrums (B) after being initially denied the chocolate (A), the tantrum behaviour is reinforced by the chocolate (C) and the child is likely to tantrum (B) again when they are denied chocolate (A).

Why it is useful in teaching children with ASD?

Children with ASD often display language and communication deficits, so other ‘talking therapies’ that utilise language can be difficult to use with these children. Furthermore, children with ASD can often display ‘fixations’ and limited interest in other people, so by using the child’s own interests as reinforcement, ABA is able to motivate the child to learn new skills.

The ABA approach can help children with ASD to:

• Replace ‘problem behaviours’
• Develop social interaction skills
• Develop life skills; such as dressing, feeding and toileting

For more information on the Quirky Kid ABA program, please contact us.