One of the toughest challenges for any parent of a toddler is experiencing their little one showcasing developmental delays. It can be a struggle to take the next step when navigating a plethora of advice, which is why expert guidance is ideal. ABA therapy for toddlers is proven to have the most impact on toddlers, school-going children, and even adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis.
ABA Therapy for Toddlers: Focusing On Early Childhood Intervention
Toddlerhood is a magical time for both parents and the little one. You experience the indescribable feeling that is seeing your toddler showcase new capabilities, while they discover the world more and more each day.
It’s also a crucial time for development—which is why experts recommend immediate action when your toddler presents symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Research shows that both traditional Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and its more recent practices enhance autistic children’s cognitive abilities, behaviors, and language development.
While behavioral therapy at any age is beneficial, Applied Behavior Analysis for toddlers has the most effect. Children up to 5 years old are in the process of developing their social, emotional, and communication, as well as physical and motor skills. Any delays at this time left unaddressed tend to manifest. Therefore, early intervention ABA is the best approach for toddlers at any level of delay or autism spectrum.
Identifying the Need for Autism Therapy for Toddlers
Before we dive into the specifics of ABA therapy for toddlers, it’s important for you to understand the symptoms that point toward toddler development delays. The question “signs my toddler needs ABA therapy” can be answered with some specific indications:
Avoiding eye contact/difficulty maintaining eye contact in conversations
- Delay in standard toddler milestones regarding speech
- Repetitive motions (such as hand flapping, spinning, and rocking)
- Sensory sensitivity—responding more intensely to sounds, lights, and textures
- Difficulty understanding and expressing basic emotions
- Distress in transitioning between activities and situations
- Limited and awkward social interaction, struggling with perception
Autism therapy for toddlers addresses all the limitations of emotional and communication development. The therapy process is tailored to your toddler based on meticulous assessment. This makes it a very precise way to treat their symptoms and help them develop well as they grow.
Key Benefits of Toddler Behavior Therapy
Early intervention ABA therapy offers numerous advantages for toddlers with developmental delays and ASD diagnosis. This approach not only improves cognitive abilities and speech growth. ABA therapy also involves teaching your little one essential daily life skills and helps them be more comfortable and confident in social interactions.
Once you begin behavioral therapy, you will notice improvements which will continue to increase. The key ABA therapy benefits toddlers include:
Improved Intellectual Abilities
As your toddler engages in conversation and activities designed according to their needs and abilities, their intellectual abilities also
enhance. Whether treating toddlers with some milestones delays or those who are on the autism spectrum, early childhood intervention results in notable advancements in cognitive skills, problem-solving capabilities, and overall mental development.
Enhanced Language Development
ABA therapy promotes speech among toddlers with autism. By age three—the standard maximum age of the toddlers’ age group—your little one should be able to form short sentences. While some children reach their language milestones late, it’s best to get an assessment early on and opt for necessary ABA therapy for toddlers to enhance verbal and nonverbal communication abilities.
Social Skills Development
Research shows that ABA therapy is effective in improving autistic children’s social skills by 87%. This form of therapy helps build your little one’s social skills needed for positive social interactions. Their therapist will use modeling, stories, and role-playing to develop essential social skills.
Learning Life Skills
ABA therapy benefits toddlers also includes acquiring important living skills that contribute to their independence and overall quality of life. With consistent behavioral therapy, your child can learn to master skills like sleeping through the night, using the toilet, and performing basic self-care activities.
ABA Therapy Techniques for Toddlers
Applied Behavior Analysis is a science that involves using tried-and-tested principles and techniques to improve certain behaviors. Key ABA techniques include:
Discrete Trial Training (DTT): An organized approach in ABA therapy that simplifies basic toddler skills into smaller parts. Each ‘trial’ includes a certain instruction and the child’s reaction to it. The result can be either behavior correction or support.
Natural Environment Training (NET): This technique involves teaching skills in the child’s natural surroundings. Using everyday situations in early childhood intervention is ideal to reinforce behaviors and skills in a more adaptable way.
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT): An essential part of the ABA method of therapy that influences initiating conversations, social confidence, and other behaviors. PRT is a play-based learning technique.
What Does The Process of ABA Therapy For Toddlers Involve?
When it comes to toddler ABA therapy, your therapist will begin by talking to you and interacting with your little one to understand the everyday routine, lifestyle, and concerns.
This initial stage also involves noting the toddler’s current needs, skills, and habits. Once your ABA therapist will approach toddler behavior therapy in an organized way:
Setting Measurable Goals
Since ABA therapy for toddlers involves guiding your little one to develop vital skills, setting goals is an important step. These goals are unique to your child, involving areas of toddler development such as speech and social interactions.
Steady One-on-One Sessions
While some toddlers require quite a few hours of ABA therapy sessions per week, others do well with just a couple of sessions per week. Sessions for applied behavior analysis for toddlers include a vast range of activities, such as:
- General conversation and questions/answers
- Story-telling using picture books and toys
- Role-playing everyday scenarios with toys and props
The frequency of ABA therapy sessions will depend on your child’s specific needs and the kind of program you opt for, but one thing is for sure—consistency is the key to significant toddler development.
Group Therapy Sessions
Another toddler ABA therapy technique used by therapists is group therapy, as they may struggle with social connections. These sessions are usually added after some time of regular ABA therapy when your child is comfortable.
Continuous Progress Monitoring
In some behavioral therapy cases, toddlers present new needs as they learn new things. Thus, consistent monitoring is necessary to make on-time changes. Applied Behavior Analysis is not a fixed method of therapy. As your child progresses, the therapist will change their treatment plan accordingly.
How to Find ABA Therapy for Toddlers
The ABA therapist you choose will shape your child’s mental and even physical abilities during their journey. That is why it is vital that you ask the right questions about:
- Their qualification, licenses, years of experience, and professional associations.
- Style of ABA therapy, and whether they conduct both individual and group therapy.
- How they’ll involve the parents in the therapy sessions and update them.
You can go for therapy at a center or opt for ABA therapy at home for toddlers, the latter being an easier option for special needs toddlers. Attending therapy at a center also offers benefits such as an organized atmosphere for one-on-one and group sessions.
Know that there are no best ABA therapists for toddlers (though education, past experience, and client reviews are major factors). The best therapist for your toddler is the one who can offer you the perfect course of action for your child’s specific needs.
Additionally, consider ABA therapy costs for toddlers before you choose a specialist. Consistency is necessary for ABA therapy sessions if you need positive results—which can be expensive. Consider choosing a therapist who offers discounts on multiple sessions.
We Offer Personalized and Play-Based ABA Therapy for Toddlers
At Small Steps, Big Dreams (SSBD) you find yourself with a supportive partner by your side as you navigate your child’s ABA therapy journey. Our expert therapists will guide you every step of the way if you need autism assessment or regular sessions for ABA therapy for toddlers.
Reach out to us today to learn how our distinctive approach to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can help your toddler grow!