When it comes to providing the best possible support for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) stands out as a highly effective intervention¹. ABA can be implemented in various environments, such as homes, schools, communities, and centers². Among these options, center-based services are often recommended for the myriad benefits they provide.
A great ABA provider will assess a child’s unique needs and recommend the most suitable setting for therapy. For families who discover that center-based programming is the best fit, they unlock access to a range of clinical and logistical advantages that can enhance the efficacy of treatment. Below, we describe the primary benefits of center-based services and provide examples of how your child might experience that benefit when participating in an ABA program.
Access to an On-Site Team of Experts
One of the most notable benefits of center-based services is the availability of a team dedicated to delivering comprehensive care. This on-site team, including board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs®), and registered behavior technicians (RBTs®), can collaborate harmoniously to ensure consistency in therapy. This level of accessibility fosters excellent communication among team members, allowing for real-time adjustments to treatment plans and strategies that might not be possible in home or community settings. For example, if your child is struggling to learn a specific new skill like motor imitation using common behavioral strategies, the RBT® might ask a BCBA ® to observe them teaching the skill and to make recommendations on how they can adjust their approach to ensure your child learns. As the BCBA® reviews each child's data and makes informed decisions, their active involvement in observing instruction and experimenting with various techniques firsthand enhances the quality of services. This direct engagement accelerates the process of implementing changes to better support your child's skill acquisition.
Interprofessional Collaboration
In a center environment, the ability for professionals on to support one another is invaluable. When team members can easily share insights, plan intervention, and discuss challenges, more robust and adaptive programming can be developed. For example, two children may be working on learning the same new skill within the same center. Supervisors can collaborate with one another and observe each other’s sessions to develop strategies that could work for both children. Additionally, some providers may encourage outside providers like speech language professionals and occupational therapists to work with your child in the center, either in a co-treatment model or separate from ABA. Your ABA team can easily observe these professionals and collaborate on methodology, approach and teaching targets. This ongoing communication improves the overall quality of care, allowing for a more cohesive approach to therapy³.
Enhanced Oversight and Visibility into Treatment
Parents and guardians often enjoy observing their child's progress. In a center setting, they can have visibility into the treatment process and how their child responds outside of the home. Many centers have observation windows or cameras that parents can use to watch sessions, so your child is not distracted by having you in the room. This transparency can help parents understand specific techniques being used and enable them to feel more involved in their child’s ABA journey. It can also provide visibility into how teaching strategies are implemented so parents can learn how to practice essential skills at home.
Group Learning Opportunities
Center-based services provide unique opportunities for group learning. Children are able to engage in social interactions with peers who may also be working on similar skills. For example, children may participate in parallel or shared play with peers of their age and skill set or engage in a group circle time that gives them the chance to observe other children and imitate their responses. The center-based environment can often mimic natural social settings, which is important for teaching essential social skills.
Structured Learning Environment
Many center-based programs are designed to replicate the routines and structures typically found in regular education settings. For example, children might line up to transition to snack time, be responsible for throwing trash away after they finish a meal or taking turns washing their hands – routines typically found in regular education settings. This intentional setup helps children transition more smoothly to school environments later, as they become accustomed to the routines of drop-off and pick-up. Familiarity with these expectations can enable a smooth transition into educational systems.
Peer Learning Experiences
Learning from peers is fundamental for children. In center-based settings, children can observe and imitate appropriate behaviors and skills exhibited by their peers. For example, they might observe another child raising their hand in a group setting or operating a new toy and learn to imitate these behaviors in context. This peer learning reinforces new skills.
Novelty in Space, Materials, and People
A center dedicated to ABA therapy typically provides a stimulating environment equipped with varied materials and activities tailored to various developmental levels. This variety helps engage children’s senses and curiosity, which can enhance motivation and learning outcomes. For example, a center-based ABA program likely has specific teaching materials or reinforcers that your child doesn’t have at home. The novelty of separating from those materials and reinforcers during time away from the center can make them more effective during their time in the center.
Conclusion
Center-based ABA services offer unique advantages that can improve the learning experiences for children with autism. Families are encouraged to explore these options and consider center-based programming as a valuable avenue for comprehensive or focused ABA treatment. By providing access to expert teams, promoting collaborative sessions, and creating structured, peer-interactive environments, center-based services pave the way for meaningful behavioral growth and development.
For further information about center-based ABA services, contact Mindcolor Autism today! We are here to help you navigate your journey towards effective and meaningful ABA therapy.
Author: Amber Valentino, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Chief Clinical Officer at Mindcolor Autism
References
¹ Howard, J. S., Sparkman, C. R., Cohen, H. G., Green, G., & Stanislaw, H. (2005). A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26(4), 359–383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2004.09.005, Remington, B., Hastings, R. P., & Sainsbury, T. (2007). Early intensive behavioral interventions: Outcomes for children with autism and their parents after two years. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37 (4), 559–573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0196-0
² Council for Autism Service Providers. (2023). ABA practice guidelines – 3rd edition. Retrieved from https://www.casproviders.org/standards-and-guidelines
³ Bowman, K.S., Suarez, V.D. & Weiss, M.J. (2021). Standards for Interprofessional Collaboration in the Treatment of Individuals With Autism. Behavior Analysis Practice 14, 1191–1208 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00560-0