Access to quality care is important for every kid, but it’s especially true for kids with autism. That’s because autism affects their ability to communicate and interact with others. Thus, the type of assistance they get from a therapist is just as important as the quality of care itself. Therefore, finding the right ABA therapist can be challenging at first glance. However, with a little bit of research and some strategic tips, you can do just that.
Here are 5 things you need to know before searching for an ABA therapist in your neighborhood:
Know the Basics
Before you start your search for an ABA therapist, you’ll want to know three things:
- What is ABA therapy?
- What is the difference between a child psychologist, a child psychiatrist, and an occupational therapist?
- And, finally, what is ABA therapy specifically?
Autism is a complex disease that affects a child’s brain development. As a result, their ability to communicate and interact with others is often impaired. ABA therapy can help restore these abilities by using techniques such as sensory integration therapy, guided communication, and using a weighted vest.
In general, occupational therapists and psychologists use activities such as brushing teeth, eating, and putting on socks to teach children how to communicate and interact with others. Psychiatry, by contrast, is a medical specialty that studies the causes and treatments of mental health disorders. More specifically, a child psychiatrist is a specialist in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, including autism. A child psychologist, however, focuses on the development and growth of children from birth through age 18.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Before you start your ABA therapy search, you should keep in mind that you’ll likely have many questions. That’s because finding the right ABA therapist can be a daunting task. After all, ABA therapists come in all shapes, sizes, and qualifications. However, you’ll want to ask your friends and family members for recommendations. They’ll likely have more experience with ABA therapists than you do. You can also use the Yellow Pages to search for ABA therapists.
However, you need to be careful that you don’t accidentally type in a special-needs therapist. Instead, try searching for “special needs therapist” and then narrow your search by typing “autism.” You can also visit the Sunshine Advantage website, which offers ABA therapy for autism in Lakewood area. Lastly, you can use online directories, like Yelp, to help you find ABA therapists near you.
Be Very selective about where you look
Once you’ve narrowed down your search for ABA therapists, you’ll want to be very selective about where you look. That’s because many ABA therapists aren’t qualified or experienced in treating kids with autism. Thus, your child may end up receiving sub-par care or even be harmed. You need to do the research and make sure that the therapist you choose is qualified and experienced. This means that you need to do some leg work and find out if the therapist has any experience with kids with autism. You can ask your friends and family members for recommendations as well. Finally, you can also ask the therapist if they have any experience treating kids with autism.
Ask for References
One other thing you’ll want to do before choosing an ABA therapist is to ask for references. That’s because finding a good therapist can be challenging. If your friends and family members all refer you to the same therapist, then you should trust their choice. However, if they aren’t able to come up with a good recommendation, then that could be a red flag. After all, you’d want to get a therapist who can provide you with excellent care. You can use online directories, like Yelp, to find ABA therapists who have references. Another option is contacting your local occupational therapy or psychology association. This is because these associations often maintain lists of ABA therapists.
Ask for a Demonstration
When choosing an ABA therapist, you should also ask them to give you a demonstration. That’s because you want to make sure that the therapist is knowledgeable about ABA therapy and has experience in treating kids with autism. A demonstration can also help you determine if you like the therapist’s style. After all, you don’t want to go to a therapist who is abrasive or condescending. You can use online directories, like Yelp, to find ABA therapists with demonstrations. Another option is contacting your local occupational therapy or psychology association. This is because these associations often maintain lists of ABA therapists.
Conclusion
As you can see, finding the right ABA therapist can be challenging. You need to research the best practices for ABA therapy and make sure that the therapist is qualified and experienced. However, with a little bit of effort, you can find a qualified ABA therapist in no time. That’s why you need to do your research before choosing an ABA therapist. It will save you time, and it will also help you ensure that your child receives the best care freshersweb.com.
