Understanding ABA Services: Tailored Therapy with Real Results
Every individual, no matter their struggles or strengths, deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in their unique circumstances. No matter the challenges they face mentally or physically, they deserve to live a fulfilling life. ABA services are designed to help individuals of all ages do exactly that, providing structured and evidence-based support for individuals who have behavioral or developmental needs that might otherwise hold them back.
With the support of ABA services, an individual can build essential skills, capitalize on their strengths, and gain independence. At Peak Behavioral Health, we are committed to providing tailored ABA solutions that are designed to produce real and measurable results. We strive to empower individuals and their families with support and guidance through both in office or at-home services.
If you’re considering ABA services and want to know more. This guide is for you. Here, we will break down everything you need to know and let you know exactly what to expect.
Contact us at Peak Behavioral Health today to learn more about our services and get started on your journey.
What is ABA?
ABA stands for applied behavioral analysis, and it is a specialized approach to handling developmental or behavioral challenges. ABA is scientifically backed and is considered a therapy approach. The underlying goal is to both develop and strengthen positive behaviors to help reduce behaviors that might interfere with an individual’s daily life. ABA can be applied to children or adults and is used most often for individuals who have autism spectrum disorder or other behavioral concerns.
While these are the individuals most commonly benefitting from ABA, it is not limited to these areas. The approach can benefit any individual who faces difficulties with social interactions, daily living skills, communications, or challenging behaviors. No matter the need, ABA takes a very personalized approach for the individual, thoroughly assessing their unique strengths and challenges and determining solutions to help from there.
When an ABA plan is developed by a trained professional, they will carefully consider the unique needs of the client. They focus on skill building and positive reinforcement to improve on their strengths and combat challenges in their lives. One of the key components of ABA and its success in the therapy realm is that it is so individualized. When you recognize that every person has unique needs, strengths, and goals, you can tailor the approach to work with those things.
These are some of the characteristics that ABA generally works with:
Skill-building
Communication
Social interactions
Self-regulation
Emotional regulation
Adaptive skills
By using evidence-based techniques, we can reinforce positive behavior and create meaningful change over time.
In-Office ABA Services
At Peak Behavioral Health, we offer both in-office and at-home services with ABA. Every provider is different. Some might offer both, while others might only offer one or the other. There are pros and cons to each option, and what might be right for your needs may not be the right solution for your neighbor. This is another reason to remember that ABA is meant to be individualized and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
If structure and consistency are a huge part of your needs, you might benefit best from an in-office solution. In-office setups provide a structured learning environment that is essentially the same every time you step into the office. This is a controlled but resource-rich setting designed for focused therapy and skill development.
These are some of the key aspects of in-office ABA services.
Structured Sessions in a Controlled Environment
Structure can provide consistency that makes therapy or learning more beneficial for an individual. When it’s easy to get overwhelmed or distracted, this type of solution often detracts from those challenges. An in-office setting is going to be carefully designed to make clients feel comfortable but also ensure the space is optimized to support learning and engagement during their time there.
A session will likely follow a structured routine so the individual knows about what to expect every time. They can be prepared for the flow and not be thrown off by unusual changes or settings that may take away from making progress. A structured and controlled environment provides a space where individuals can adapt and use that comfort to engage and improve. For some, this kind of structure is more than they can handle and might have the opposite intended effect. Remember, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Access to Specialized Tools, Resources, or Group Settings
In-office setups are prepared for everything that might be needed to accommodate therapy for the individuals they serve. Some offices are geared towards children while others might be designed for adults. There are offices that are structured to serve both segments as well.
Here at Peak Behavioral Health, our offices are equipped with tools, technology, and a variety of resources so we can address varying needs with ABA services. The idea is to use these tools and technology provisions to enhance the sessions and make the most of the time we spend in the office together.
In addition to having tools and resources at the fingers of the professional, in-office setups might also be able to accommodate group sessions that can be incredibly helpful. Opportunities for group-based sessions can offer learning, peer interactions, social skills building, and more. And it’s learning and developing with other people who face similar struggles so they get where you are coming from.
Social Skill Development Opportunities
One of the greatest benefits to in-office services is the opportunity to build social skills. For an individual who struggles to socialize or even leave their home, this can foster meaningful social interactions that will help enhance those skills and develop them further. Social development doesn’t always just happen in group sessions, either. It can easily happen in one-on-one sessions.
The reason that in-office services build social skills is because they put the individual out in the real world outside of their homes or safe spaces. They are in scenarios where they interact with others, and doing so in-office means they can work with compassionate and caring people who will be understanding of their challenges in the social department.
In-office sessions can provide an opportunity to develop relationship building and communication skills and it does so in a comfortable but structured environment.
The Benefits of In-Office ABA Services
There are many wonderful benefits to using in-office services, but keep in mind that it’s not the solution for everyone. That’s why there are alternatives for individuals who simply don’t thrive in an office setting. It’s ok if having in-office appointments isn’t the solution for your needs.
If you are considering trying in-office services, these are the top benefits:
Structured support and learning
Predictable routines
Collaboration with trained therapists
Access to an entire community of support
The structure offers a routine that might be what you need to stay engaged and focused. The predictable routine helps reduce anxiety and increase your confidence because you get to be in a controlled setting, and you build a relationship with the individuals you see in the office. In the office, you get access to a team of professionals and they are all dedicated to supporting you and each of their clients. Finally, an in-office environment will allow for interactions that become your community, whether it’s peers, group activities, or the team of professionals in the office that are there for your needs.
In-Home ABA Services
Having access to help ABA solutions brought directly to your home is groundbreaking. It’s an awesome solution and for some, it’s what will help them thrive. This is a great option for someone who does best in their own familiar and comfortable surroundings. They don’t have to worry about stepping out of their comfort zone and they get to simply interact in their natural environments. Consider the comfort of having the professionals come directly to you in a home where you feel safe at all times.
At Peak Behavioral Health, we are proud to offer many in-home services, just as we do in-office services. When you step into a person’s home, they don’t feel the need to put on a front or be affected by the outside world around them. For many, this is a great way to thrive and really get to the root of their challenges. Again, we want to reiterate it may not be the right solution for everyone, and an individualized approach is always best.
Tailored Sessions in a Comfortable and Familiar Environment
While in-office sessions provide consistency and structure, in-home sessions provide comfort and familiarity. The professionals come directly to you in your home, where you might feel most at ease, safe, and relaxed. Many times, this helps the individual be more comfortable and be themselves, rather than putting on an act or never opening up. They feel at ease because they are at home and it can lead to many unique breakthroughs.
Using in-home solutions often helps to reduce anxiety that might be caused by coming into an office. The individual is comfortable, and this can help provide a strong foundation as we meet you where you are, rather than forcing you to come to us where you might never open up.
Much like in-office sessions, these are still tailored to the unique needs of the individual. They are just done in a natural environment that provides familiarity for the individual.
Application of ABA Technique in Day-to-Day Routines
It’s easy to hear recommendations and acknowledge them but then forget to implement them. Or perhaps you hear them, but you’re not really sure how to put them to use in real life. One of the benefits of in-home services is that it happens in your normal life so it’s immediately applicable most of the time.
The professional comes to your home, where they see you working through your daily life and routine. They observe and make recommendations based on your real-life scenarios. This way you don’t have to go back home and try to figure out how to implement recommendations. Instead, they observe what is happening right there, make recommendations, and you can apply them accordingly.
Most therapists that offer in-home ABA services will work with the individual as well as their families to apply techniques into natural routines. This can include everything from bedtime and meals to social interactions. It’s a great way to experience real life feedback right there in the home where a behavior is most likely to occur.
The Benefits of In-Home ABA Services
Just as there are benefits to in-office services, there are also benefits to in-home solutions. It is important to remember that while some people will thrive with an in-home approach, others may not experience the same results. This is why it’s so important to take an individualized approach and work to determine treatment and solutions to meet your unique needs.
When in-home services are the right choice, these are the general benefits experienced:
Personalized support in real-life settings
Increased comfort during appointments
Reduced stress for families
Collaboration with the entire family
Being in your natural home environment allows for a tailored approach that is attuned to that setting, and it often makes learning more natural and more effective. The individual as well as any family members can be more comfortable and at ease, which could be just the breakthrough needed for a specific behavior or challenge and it reinforces learning in a familiar setting.
The entire family can benefit. First of all, there’s no scheduling appointments and rushing to the office or worrying about Betsy’s soccer practice and making dinner while you’re stuck at Johnny’s appointment. In the home, the professionals work around your responsibilities and you continue real life while they work with the individual in need. In-home services allow the entire family to be involved, opening up a better understanding and providing solutions that can be put to use for everyone.
Choosing the Right Setting for ABA Services
How do you choose which type of setting is best for your unique needs? Well, you can take a look at the differences and make an informed decision that way, or you can test the waters and determine whether one works better for you or not. Maybe you feel as though in-office is really what you need. But when you start appointments, you just aren’t getting that breakthrough you need. You can likely transition to an in-home approach to see if that better meets your needs.
Because ABA is so individualized, sometimes it requires some trial and error. A professional might have a recommendation as to where you should start, but it may come down to your comfort and your preferences more than anything else.
Let’s do a quick match-up with some tips that might help you determine where to start.
In-Home Vs. In-Office Services
Choosing between in-home or in-office isn’t some formula where everyone in this category gets home care while everyone in another category gets office services. In truth, it depends on many different factors, including the learning style and comfort levels of the individual in question.
In-office services are typically best for someone who thrives in a structured setting or needs specialized access to resources and peer interactions that are more likely to happen in a setting like this. The environment is controlled and free of distraction, which promotes focused learning. You get access to professionals and support in a very structured setting, which provides opportunities for skill development and a different type of learning. In addition, you have the opportunity for exposure to many different therapeutic tools and interventions.
In contrast, in-home services are meant to envelop a comfortable and carefree home structure where the person feels more at ease no matter what. They have familiar surroundings, which tends to offer comfort so they can open up. Plus, it puts the professionals in a place where they can see direct application of skills and observe daily routines or interactions within the home. The option of being at home often reduces anxiety, which will increase natural learning opportunities in a natural environment. Here, therapy is customized to real-life situations and family dynamics, it takes high involvement from the family, and it offers less transitional stress, too.
At Peak Behavioral Health, we seek to support individuals in whatever environment will help them thrive and be successful. We recognize that everyone has a different story and very unique needs as well. We are happy to help families navigate this decision by providing guidance and support. Our team will work closely to assess and help determine what might be the best solution to achieve the client’s goals.
ABA Services with Peak Behavioral Health
At Peak Behavioral Health, we are proud to offer a wide variety of services, with the intent of providing you with the individual care you deserve. Our ABA solutions are tailored to your unique needs, whether you want in-office or at-home solutions. We are here for you!
When you choose to work with us, we use these factors in every approach:
Evidence-Based Practices
Success comes from using approaches that are backed by science and evidence. We stay on top of the latest solutions while remembering current and established options, too. Our approach is grounded in embracing the latest research and ensuring effective interventions for every unique need. There are so many wonderful resources and practices, and we stick to what is proven and true.
Personalized Care
You deserve to have personalized care and we always take this approach. Every ABA plan is uniquely designed to address specific needs and strengths of an individual, embracing their unique challenges and working to create lasting and meaningful progress.
Trained and Compassionate Professionals
At Peak Behavioral Health, there are two things you can always count on. The first is that you will work with professionals who have the proper licensing, certification, and training to handle your needs. The second is that you can always trust our professionals to be caring and compassionate.
Family Involvement and Support
We believe in working closely with families to help create a thriving family life as well as supporting individual needs. We will collaborate with families to ensure ABA therapy is reinforced beyond just our therapy sessions and give parents and caregivers tools for success outside of sessions, too.
Getting Started with ABA Services
Getting started is often the hardest part because there are so many unknowns about the process. Choosing to move forward is a huge step toward growth and development, whether it is for yourself, a child, or a loved one in need. At Peak Behavioral Health, we guide families through the entire process and strive to make it as seamless as possible.
We will work closely with you every step of the way to ensure you get the care and support you need.
Schedule an initial consultation to discuss concerns, goals, expectations, and more
Work through detailed evaluation and comprehensive assessment process so a customized plan for ABA can be created
Implement therapies and resources based on the plan created, with continuous monitoring and adjustment as needed
Experience ongoing support in a partnership for the entire household as families get training, resources, and guidance to help everyone in the home
You are never alone in this, and you have the best in the field backing you every step of the way.
Final Thoughts
ABA services are an incredibly powerful tool that will provide individuals and families with necessary skills to lead fulfilling and independent lives despite challenges or needs they may have. Peak Behavioral Health remains committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based ABA support that is tailored to the unique needs of every person we work with.
If you’re ready to explore ABA services, we hope you will reach out so we can work together to support you and your loved ones on this journey. Contact us today to get started!